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techishi

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 26, 2013
165
152
US
So I've had some thoughts recently about what the iPad lineup could look like this year, what to expect from the event on the 23rd & generally where Apple may be headed with product announcements in the future. Figured I'd share them here, see what others think and get a discussion going since we're probably only about a week away now...

  • iPad (9th gen)
    • Announced on the 23rd. Will take the form factor of the iPad Air 3 & get its leftover parts bin (10.5" screen, Touch ID, laminated screen, possible A13 & 4GB RAM).
    • I know it's an unpopular opinion on here that it won't be updated but there are a few leaks pointing that it will. Yes that isn't much to go off of, BUT the stock of most models of the iPad 8th generation is either sold out or extremely limited (Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H etc).
  • iPad Air (4th gen)
    • Unchanged this year.
  • iPad Pro (5th gen)
    • Announced on the 23rd. Most importantly updated with the rumored mini-led screen, new A series chip & other rumored year over year improvements.
    • Most rumors only mention the 12.9" so I'm not sure what is to come of the 11". It could be deprecated since the Air is pretty close spec wise, but knowing Apple I bet it sticks around to fill every price point. I can also see mini-led potentially not being included with the 11".
  • iPad Mini (6th gen)
    • Most likely the 23rd as well with rumored year over year updates.
I know other products are rumored to be released (AirTags, etc) but just focusing on iPads here.

One other thing I was thinking about was the product cycle. I really think that Apple is trying to go back to more normalized release of the product lines. With the iPads & Macs especially, having them be updated prior to the new school year is beneficial to both parties. Covid definitely has had some impact with production & releases last year.

Something along the lines of:
  • March: iPads
  • June: Macs
  • September: iPhones & Apple Watch
  • October: other products/if necessary
Thoughts?
 

rui no onna

Contributor
Oct 25, 2013
14,921
13,273
So I've had some thoughts recently about what the iPad lineup could look like this year, what to expect from the event on the 23rd & generally where Apple may be headed with product announcements in the future. Figured I'd share them here, see what others think and get a discussion going since we're probably only about a week away now...

  • iPad (9th gen)
    • Announced on the 23rd. Will take the form factor of the iPad Air 3 & get its leftover parts bin (10.5" screen, Touch ID, laminated screen, possible A13 & 4GB RAM).
    • I know it's an unpopular opinion on here that it won't be updated but there are a few leaks pointing that it will. Yes that isn't much to go off of, BUT the stock of most models of the iPad 8th generation is either sold out or extremely limited (Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H etc).

I don't think this will be released in Spring. The 8th gen was just released in September of last year. All iPad stock has been pretty limited throughout 2020 likely due to work/study from home and slower production levels.

It will probably get updated this year but I'm not expecting it to be this soon. Maybe WWDC at earliest.
 
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VaruLV

macrumors 6502a
Mar 25, 2019
636
561
Not an expert, but, IMHO, way too many iPads for one day, too little attention spread over too many devices.
 

UltimateSyn

macrumors 601
Mar 3, 2008
4,970
9,207
Massachusetts
Most I could see would be a Mini and Pro. Don't want to end up under-selling someone down to a regular iPad, but the mini and Pro are distinctly different enough to have simultaneous announcements. Even that I don't see happening though, unfortunately, since Kang (nearly 100% accurate leaker) recently said that the new Mini isn't at EVT yet.
 

satchmo

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2008
5,221
6,097
Canada
iPad Pro only...with
-new accessories (Pencil 3 and Magic Keyboard 2).
-new micro-LED, faster processor, blah blah blah
-sneak peek into new iPadOS
-12.9" and possibly 11

The mini and entry iPad could both be launched in the fall, for back to school season.
 

one more

macrumors 603
Aug 6, 2015
5,158
6,574
Earth
It would be good if Apple increased the base iPad Air 4 storage from 64 up to 128 GB.

Then I am not sure about iPad Pro 11” destiny - if it does not get a mini-LED, the gap between Pro 11” 2021 and Air 2020 will be quite narrow. ??‍♂️
 
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AutomaticApple

Suspended
Nov 28, 2018
7,401
3,378
Massachusetts
So I've had some thoughts recently about what the iPad lineup could look like this year, what to expect from the event on the 23rd & generally where Apple may be headed with product announcements in the future. Figured I'd share them here, see what others think and get a discussion going since we're probably only about a week away now...

  • iPad (9th gen)
    • Announced on the 23rd. Will take the form factor of the iPad Air 3 & get its leftover parts bin (10.5" screen, Touch ID, laminated screen, possible A13 & 4GB RAM).
    • I know it's an unpopular opinion on here that it won't be updated but there are a few leaks pointing that it will. Yes that isn't much to go off of, BUT the stock of most models of the iPad 8th generation is either sold out or extremely limited (Apple, Amazon, Walmart, Target, B&H etc).
  • iPad Air (4th gen)
    • Unchanged this year.
  • iPad Pro (5th gen)
    • Announced on the 23rd. Most importantly updated with the rumored mini-led screen, new A series chip & other rumored year over year improvements.
    • Most rumors only mention the 12.9" so I'm not sure what is to come of the 11". It could be deprecated since the Air is pretty close spec wise, but knowing Apple I bet it sticks around to fill every price point. I can also see mini-led potentially not being included with the 11".
  • iPad Mini (6th gen)
    • Most likely the 23rd as well with rumored year over year updates.
I know other products are rumored to be released (AirTags, etc) but just focusing on iPads here.

One other thing I was thinking about was the product cycle. I really think that Apple is trying to go back to more normalized release of the product lines. With the iPads & Macs especially, having them be updated prior to the new school year is beneficial to both parties. Covid definitely has had some impact with production & releases last year.

Something along the lines of:
  • March: iPads
  • June: Macs
  • September: iPhones & Apple Watch
  • October: other products/if necessary
Thoughts?
I have similar thoughts to this video.
 
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