Should I wait for a new iPad or go ahead and pick one up now?

[bensisko]

Ok let me rephrase: given Apple‘s history about iPad updates and the strong rumors about Apple‘s other low-end iOS device, the iPhone SE, getting a spec bump to an A10 processor soon, it seems very likely that this is also the chip the new low-end iPad will get. Yes there is the chance that it might be less than that in terms of specs, but we‘re talking about the low-end iPad here, what will Apple refresh it for at all if not for a spec update.

In some ways, especially in technology, the 2017 iPad is nothing new. However, in many ways the 2017 iPad is entirely new. This is the first low-cost iPad Apple has ever done, so we really don’t know Apple’s intentions. We can speculate using past model refreshes as a basis, but this is an entirely new strategy for Apple so using past upgrade history may not apply to this new strategy. Will they upgrade it every year with minor spec bump? Two years with a major spec bump? Will they upgrade the processor? If so, how much? What about the RAM? Or the speakers? Camera? Display?

In other words, what is the planned gap between the low-cost iPad and the Pro and what is the planned longevity of this model? Whatever the next release is, it should be an interesting data point to see what Apple’s plan/strategy is.

This is kind of a new audience for Apple - people who have been intimidated by price in the past. On average, they’re probably not going to upgrade often, so putting an effort into updating the low-cost model every year may not be a smart priority.

Edit - Supplimental: Take a look at the spec of the 2017 iPad alongside the Air and the Air 2. In many ways (especially physically), the 2017 is more a successor to the Air (sharing similar dimensions and screen technology). Specs-wise,it takes it’s cues from the Air 2 - sharing the 2 GB RAM, same camera, and storage options, but slightly updating the processor from the Air 2’s A8x to A9.

Given this, Apple has clearly made a decision on how “low cost” this iPad is. I would say it’s entirely possible that, if they refresh the processor, an A9x may be all you get. They may also go back to the Air 2’s screen and say they’ve improved the screen. Or they may pull a Mini 3 and just offer no new spec bumps but something entirely inconsequential (like new colors).

Again, this is all speculation - no rumor has speculated on specs (that i’m aware of) and we have, at best, a mixed history to base our speculation on.

 

[stealth.pilot]

I have en Air 2 that still runs 9.3.3 and it does all my tasks pretty well, but I couldn't resist to order a iPad Pro 64GB+beautiful leather case for 500€, will pick it up today from my post office.

I just stopped waiting for new releases and what so ever, Apple never "really" dropped prices even after new releases. One thing I love about Apples products is RESALE VALUE, you can almost get all your money back.

So even if tomorrow a new iPad comes out, I can sell my Pro today for almost the same purchase price and buy the newer modell.

 

[wib]

Just adding my vote to the 'wait a few weeks, just in case...' side.

I got bitten with something similar years ago and it was the reason I found (and now religiously read) MacRumors. I had to buy an iPod and it was my first foray into the world of tech. I had no idea there was a release cycle and just bought one. Within a couple of weeks a newer, spanglier version was released with a camera etc. I felt really gutted and cheated and wished I had known, as I would have hung on for a couple of weeks and got a much better product for the same money.

Having been bitten, I researched and found MacRumors and found out about release cycles and refreshes. Now I'm always checking here before I buy anything and it has served me very well.

A long story to say, it really is worth waiting a little bit longer to see what might be coming out. If it doesn't impress you, you might still be able to get the existing model but at a cheaper price. I'm not completely 'shiny, shiny, must buy' as my computer (not a Mac) was actually the year before's model which I chose because it actually had better specs than the current model. Making a decision calmly based on your needs and comparing the newest and the model before will feel better, I think.

 

[joeblow7777]

If you’re definitely not interested in a pro, and rumours suggesting some kind of update to the non-pro line within the next month, why not wait? Even if the rumoured new model is nothing special, the price of the 2017 will likely go down upon its release. How would you feel if you bought an iPad right now and a few weeks later the same model is $100 cheaper? Or a better model is available for the same price.
Unless you NEED an iPad right now, just hold out for a few weeks.

 

[Ffosse]

No-one needs an iPad, they're rather marvellous devices, though.

 

[Sanlitun]

Is there any rumor on whether or not these will still be 9.7 inch screen size?

 

[afir93]

Just adding my vote to the 'wait a few weeks, just in case...' side.

I got bitten with something similar years ago and it was the reason I found (and now religiously read) MacRumors. I had to buy an iPod and it was my first foray into the world of tech. I had no idea there was a release cycle and just bought one. Within a couple of weeks a newer, spanglier version was released with a camera etc. I felt really gutted and cheated and wished I had known, as I would have hung on for a couple of weeks and got a much better product for the same money.

Having been bitten, I researched and found MacRumors and found out about release cycles and refreshes. Now I'm always checking here before I buy anything and it has served me very well.

A long story to say, it really is worth waiting a little bit longer to see what might be coming out. If it doesn't impress you, you might still be able to get the existing model but at a cheaper price. I'm not completely 'shiny, shiny, must buy' as my computer (not a Mac) was actually the year before's model which I chose because it actually had better specs than the current model. Making a decision calmly based on your needs and comparing the newest and the model before will feel better, I think.

That‘s exactly what I‘m talking about. I‘m not sure why some people are so keen to argue that the chance for a new iPad with better processor etc. within the next month isn‘t 100% but „only“ 80-90%. That‘s still a very high chance to be disappointed when just weeks later, a better model with more longevity appears for possibly even a cheaper price.

 

[rulymammoth]

Is there any rumor on whether or not these will still be 9.7 inch screen size?

There's actually a dearth of rumors about anything iPad these days it seems.

 

[Crow_Servo]

There's actually a dearth of rumors about anything iPad these days it seems.

Agreed. I keep hoping each day to see a news story/rumor on the front page of this site about a new iPad. I’ve pretty much decided that if a new Mini is announced I’ll get that later this year and get a new phone next year, but if no Mini is announced, I’ll get a new phone this year most likely.

 

[Ffosse]

A new Mini with perhaps an A10, shrunken down bezels and Face ID would be amazing. Sadly, I think Apple has given up on this side of things, concentrating on phones.

 

[bensisko]

That‘s exactly what I‘m talking about. I‘m not sure why some people are so keen to argue that the chance for a new iPad with better processor etc. within the next month isn‘t 100% but „only“ 80-90%. That‘s still a very high chance to be disappointed when just weeks later, a better model with more longevity appears for possibly even a cheaper price.

Because I wouldn’t even put it as high as 80. Chances are 50% that IF there is a new iPad, and IF the rumored iPad is indeed the low-cost and not the “Modern iPad”, that the new iPad would be a significant upgrade over the 2017 iPad.

 

[AutisticGuy]

I'm going to throw my two cents in and encourage you to wait for the new iPad. The rumors indicate it will likely come out in March, so you may be looking at a release at any time now.

I find it strange that some folks are saying getting the newer version won't be a big deal because it's just being used for consumption. It will most likely have the A10 chip which is significantly faster than the A9 chip. The A10 chip also has low powered cores used for when the iPad isn't using much processing power, and that should have significant improvement on battery life for things like reading, or watching movies.

Supposedly the price will be less, although I wouldn't put it past Tim Cook to lower the starting price of the current iPad to $259 and continue to manufacture it, and then have this new iPad come in at the same or higher price point. Part of the reason for that (aside from higher margins) is to put less pricing pressure on the iPad Pro line.

Either way, you should consider waiting!

 

[kevink2]

I caved yesterday and ordered a new 10.5" iPad Pro. My current Mini acts flakey at times with on screen keyboard accuracy. I'll keep that for e books. I'll just transfer my SIM over.

 

[afir93]

Because I wouldn’t even put it as high as 80. Chances are 50% that IF there is a new iPad, and IF the rumored iPad is indeed the low-cost and not the “Modern iPad”, that the new iPad would be a significant upgrade over the 2017 iPad.

Assuming your two if‘s are true (which I know isn‘t certain but seems very likely), 50% is still a dangerously high chance to fall into the trap that wib described and have the same frustrating situation as him. Maybe OP would be similarly frustrated about it, or maybe he wouldn‘t care about a big new release at all, but why take that chance if it‘s easy to wait a few weeks? Even if no (significant) upgrade drops this month, I don‘t think that 2 years from now OP is gonna be like „Ah well, I could have done so much amazing cool stuff with the iPad in these 3 weeks that I decided to wait for nothing, why didn’t I buy it earlier“. If a big upgrade does drop however, then there might easily be situations later down the line where he‘s frustrated about not waiting a tiny bit longer.

I know we‘re arguing in circles here as we‘ve already been over that. We have different opinions about it and that‘s fine - you think one should make these purchases when they are possible/desired without worrying about future updates, I think one should have a reasonable amount of caution with pulling the trigger on new products when an upgrade is imminent, even if we don‘t know its exact specs for sure.

And both of these ways have their ups and downs – yours leads to a possibly more worry-free life by not overthinking these decisions which I admittedly sometimes do, mine leads to most likely less situations where one is burned by missing out on a huge upgrade and regretting not waiting slightly longer. I myself also had 1-2 situations like that with Apple products in the past – bought a 2014 5k iMac about a month before the 2015 ones dropped. It wasn‘t anywhere as big of a miss as what wib described as it was mostly a minor spec bump, but in retrospect I still wish I would have waited that couple of weeks longer as I wasn‘t in imminent need of a new Mac back then and could have easily waited out these few weeks.

 

[ks-man]

This is similar to a thread I would have started.

Got a call this morning from my parents (70s) that my dad cracked the screen of their iPad 2 and it works but they'll want to replace it and which they should get. For their use (e-mail, web, and ebooks) there doesn't seem to be any reason to get the iPad Pro and the iPad 9.7 seems right for them. Reading this thread and a quick look at the Buyers Guide says that the 9.7 should be updated soon. People around here were saying rumors point to a new iPad coming in a week or two when the thread first started (about 10 days ago). I do see there is an article that said that a new iPad may be seen in March for less money (about $70 cheaper).

I guess my question is if there is any other rumors to point to other than this one?

Also, if my parents buy a new iPad now and something new is announced in the next two weeks are they allowed to return/exchange the one they buy for a new one? Is there a restocking fee? I know my parents don't want to spend the extra money for the iPad Pro but I don't know if they care enough to save $50-70 to try and wait a few weeks. Based on history my guess is that any new iPad will only be a slight bump to the existing one and definitely still slower than the iPad Pro. If the price comes down it may even be the same speed just branded as something new. Would people agree with this?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Crow_Servo]

I definitely don’t see them keeping the 9.7” the same and branding it as something new. I could easily see them lowering the price of the 9.7” and coming out with a new version, if rumors are true. There’s supposedly two new model numbers ready to launch soon. I keep hoping the new model is a mini, but I know that’s unlikely. It’s probably a WiFi-only and cellular version of this year’s 9.7” refresh.

 

[Fattytail]

I definitely don’t see them keeping the 9.7” the same and branding it as something new. I could easily see them lowering the price of the 9.7” and coming out with a new version, if rumors are true. There’s supposedly two new model numbers ready to launch soon. I keep hoping the new model is a mini, but I know that’s unlikely. It’s probably a WiFi-only and cellular version of this year’s 9.7” refresh.

That's what I'm guessing it is too. Usually when two versions are released in tandem like that, one's the WiFi and the other one's the cellular.

I'm actually really surprised the cellular even sells much at all with how easy it is to tether these days.

 

[haruhiko]

If you don't buy an Apple product in the first few months, you'd better wait for the next one.

 

[Kal-037]

I would suggest you do it, but only do it IF you can get a new iPad for a much lower price or atleast drop it $100-300.


Kallum.

 

[HarryWild]

The new world class wi-fi dual band 5G and LTE 5G technologies needs to updated on all Apple devices. Many Android based mobile devices already have the new technologies. Newer high speed RAM too. Apple alway a year or two behind in this regard.

 

[ericwn]

The new world class wi-fi dual band 5G and LTE 5G technologies needs to updated on all Apple devices. Many Android based mobile devices already have the new technologies. Newer high speed RAM too. Apple alway a year or two behind in this regard.

I don’t believe there are many other successful tablets in the market other than the iPad.
Given what the op is going to use their iPad for waiting hardly makes any sense. Just buy at a price point you feel is convenient.

 

[weeesss]

I got a 2017 iPad last year. I’m picking up a Pro 10.5 after finding a deal for $499 but I wouldn’t upgrade at the regular $649 price.

I have seen the 2017 iPad for $279 for 32gb. For bedtime surfing and such it should be fine. I watch tv and surf on mine in bed. They refresh these things so often that you can always second guess the best time to buy.

 

[ks-man]

Is there a restocking fee if you buy one and within two weeks a new one is released and you exchange it?

 

[Crow_Servo]

That's what I'm guessing it is too. Usually when two versions are released in tandem like that, one's the WiFi and the other one's the cellular.

I'm actually really surprised the cellular even sells much at all with how easy it is to tether these days.

Totally agree. My first iPad was a cellular model, and I probably used that feature less than a dozen times in two years. Cancelled the service for it as soon as the contract ended.

My current iPad is WiFi only and I’ve had it less than a month and have already tethered to it just fine. Not inconvenient at all.

 

[SRLMJ23]

Totally agree. My first iPad was a cellular model, and I probably used that feature less than a dozen times in two years. Cancelled the service for it as soon as the contract ended.

My current iPad is WiFi only and I’ve had it less than a month and have already tethered to it just fine. Not inconvenient at all.

Same here, have no clue why I bought the first 9.7” iPad Pro with LTE. In my opinion it is a waste of money now for the upgrade to LTE/carrier fee’s. Do not get me wrong, I love my iPad Pro (and Apple Pencil) but I should have gotten the WiFi only model. I got this iPad Pro as soon as it launched and have probably used LTE less than 10 times...seriously.

One thing that is good about the LTE version is obviously you do not have to tether and that saves a lot of battery life on your iPhone. Tethering drains battery life at a pretty good clip.

Who has a cellular plan that does not include tethering now?

WiFi is everywhere, however, I do not use public WiFi (for security reasons) so I do like that I can just whip out my iPad Pro and it connects right to the network and I do not have to tether, not like that is a hard thing to do.

My two cents on whether or not to wait for the new iPad...I am with the “wait” group. For all the reasons people have pointed out. Wait 2-3 weeks, and you can future proof for maybe another two years or so?