IDK how the releases go, and if there may still be a spec bump on the budget pad, but with them releasing the others today, what are your thoughts?
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So is it looking like the budget pad will be skipped over?
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Seems strange, does make me wonder if all the confusion over screen size of the budget iPad was actually because of this new iPad Air and the budget iPad will be left as is for another year?
I think Apple is testing the waters here. It is checking if the $499 iPad Air has enough sales, so it can discontinue the $329 iPad in the future. Kind of increasing the price. If the $499 iPad Air is successful enough, then Apple may leave the $329 without any updates for a long time until it is no longer worth it and is axed.
I am ok with them not updating the 2018 iPad. An A10 processor at $250 (similar going rate based off sales here and there) is an incredible value next to the iPad Air. Why spend twice the $ for maybe a little more RAM and an A12 processor when the A10 processor still works very well w/ Apple Pencil support?
I don't think they're going to update it this year. Maybe next year they will move it up to an A12, update the iPad Air to have a liquid retina display (AKA rounded corners at 11"), and upgrade the iPad Pros to OLED, more RAM, @3X retina, dual cameras, and inductive charging pad on the back to charge an iPhone or AirPods 2.
I agree with @skaertus. It is possible that the 2018 iPad will stick around for another year and either be updated or discontinued.
Apple has relatively recently started overlapping their iPad releases. When they released the 11" Pro, they kept selling the 10.5 Pro for a season. They now have the "Air" overlapping with the 2018 iPad. The Air's chassis IS the 10.5 Pro's chassis so accessories and cases will be compatible. This is analogous to the 2018 iPad being accessory/case compatible with the Air 1.
It is just as possible that the 2018 iPad (which Apple claimed was targeted toward edu markets) is simply the next "iPad 2" (which also was widely distributed in edu markets) and will remain as-is for another 2-3 years.
I find that VERY unlikely. People are right this second weighing their options and purchasing new iPads. They're not going to say, "by the way, here's another option" any time soon.
If it was coming they would have announced it even if it's not available to purchase yet, just like the announced the X and XR alongside the 8 and Xs respectively. At least then people can decide if they want to wait instead of buying something and then being pissed off a month later when a possibly better option is announced.
Gurman already hinted on Twitter that we're getting iPad and iMac on the 25th. The $329 iPad is a sure win for Apple and they don't need to announce it today. It's not as if the 10.2" iPad will offer the same features as 10.5".
I hear what you're saying, but I still don't think it makes sense for them to announce another new iPad a week after the others. Especially if it gets a new (bezel-less, no home button?) form factor. It doesn't make sense to me for the "budget" model to have a more "modern" design than the newly released Air.
The 10.2" model is likely based on the 9.7" chassis. Think of it as the 9.7" model inheriting the 10.5" thinner bezel design.
To me, Apple is missing a "streaming services" type of iPad. The 10.5" is aimed at productivity and little expensive while the 7.9" is a bit small.
The 10.2" captures a different audience. Maybe my usage is different, but I don't feel the iPhone nor the Apple TV are suitable for millennials streaming on the go.
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That's true, but doesn't the current 9.7" serve that function? It's still very capable in terms of performance and the even though it's not laminated, the display has the same pixel density as the Air and Pro models. I think it can go another year without an upgrade.
I'm just hanging on to the words of Kuo and Gurman who expect a new cheap iPad this year. The new iPad could launch 2H'19 but I personally feel it's more potent if it's attached to streaming services.
Another way to look at it would be to raise the ASP for iPad. The 9.7" is, dare I say, a bit too inexpensive. The 10.2" model with a shiny new form factor could be an opportunity to raise the base price to $349 or $379.
It might make more sense in late summer or early fall (with the iPhones) as a back to school device seeing as it would be the successor to a device that is very much targeted at the education market.
A2123, A2124, A2126, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152.
We can match up only 4 of the 7 model numbers today.
I thought the event wasn’t until the 25th?
I like the new Air so will probably grab one of those and keep it, along with the Xr for three years.
But will wait till next week, if I order the air and they do update the budget model I'll be annoyed at myself for not waiting.
I like the new Air so will probably grab one of those and keep it, along with the Xr for three years.
But will wait till next week, if I order the air and they do update the budget model I'll be annoyed at myself for not waiting.
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It's not but Apple has posted information on their home page.
https://www.apple.com/
You can order the new Air and Mini today.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
Who knows. I could see either....
A) Apple keeps the iPad (2018) around for another year or so and then quietly discontinue it
B) Apple doesn’t update the iPad this year, but does next year. Goes on an every other year cycle
C) Update the iPad in summer (or fall if iPad Pros aren’t ready for an update). This gives the more expensive air/mini a little breathing room for sales before the cheapo $329 iPad is updated with an A11 and whatever else.
Ipad updates are so much more sporadic than the predictable iPhone updates. It’s all a crapshoot
A) Apple keeps the iPad (2018) around for another year or so and then quietly discontinue it
B) Apple doesn’t update the iPad this year, but does next year. Goes on an every other year cycle
C) Update the iPad in summer (or fall if iPad Pros aren’t ready for an update). This gives the more expensive air/mini a little breathing room for sales before the cheapo $329 iPad is updated with an A11 and whatever else.
Ipad updates are so much more sporadic than the predictable iPhone updates. It’s all a crapshoot
I would say it's a toss up between B and C, leaning more towards C. It makes a lot of sense as a back to school iPad.
I think it will get an update in 6 months or so with an a11, or in a year with an a12 when the other iPads get newer a13 chips.
iPad Pro is first priority, followed a couple months later with the Air and Mini, then the iPad gets updated when they feel it makes sense. Just my prediction at least.
iPad Pro is first priority, followed a couple months later with the Air and Mini, then the iPad gets updated when they feel it makes sense. Just my prediction at least.