All iPads Why not iPad Air 4 instead of iPad Pro 11?

[AutomaticApple]

September 7th or 8th.

Might be a day or two before/after those dates.

 

[ericwn]

This is not a question that a MacRumors thread can answer. The people who don't want/don't care about/can't afford the iPad Pro will tell you that it's not worth it. The people who appreciate the extra features and power that the Pro has will tell you that it's worth every penny.

I'm in the latter camp. I use my iPad Pro for absolutely everything, and was even fortunate enough this year to have the dough to move up to the 12.9" model. I have always loved the ProMotion screen, the quad audio, and the extra RAM and processing power. I use my iPad for productivity, creation, and consumption, so I'm always going to buy the best one I can afford.

That being said, I don't think it's necessary to pigeon hole any one iPad model into any one use case or type of user. I know lots of people who don't really do any intense computing in general and still buy the Pro models. They either just really love iPads and want the nicest one possible or they really like their media to look and sound the best it can without worrying about any slowdowns in performance for the foreseeable future. It's perfectly ok to buy a Pro even if you strictly use it as a tablet for media consumption. On the other hand, I still know a handful of people that are happily still using their iPad Air 2 from years ago.

All that being said, I would not be surprised (if rumors of a re-designed iPad Air are true) for Apple to do the following:
--Discontinue the 11" iPad Pro and replace it with the redesigned, slightly lower priced 11" iPad Air 4.
--Update the 12.9" Pro to a micro LED display and make that the only Pro model, design remains the same
--Continue spec bumping the base model with no design/price changes
--Continue spec bumping the iPad mini with no design/price changes

If the new iPad Air really takes on the same design and dimensions as the 11" iPad Pro, I have a feeling that sales of the 11" Pro are largely going to be cannibalized by the 11" iPad Air. It will all depend on internal sales data that none of us have. Apple may see value in keeping both around, or they may see more logic in just having one 11" size to remove confusion from the lineup.

One thing I do know though--an iPad Air redesigned to look like an iPad Pro does not mean it's "just as good". It might be just as good in all the main functionality, but there are reasons the Pro is called the Pro, and in my personal opinion, those reasons are not negligible and are worth the extra money I pay for the Pro.

Great post!

 

[kazmac]

Benefits include

1) MacRumors Forum prestige
2) Magic Keyboard
3) Apple Pencil 2
4) Chick Magnet

4) Dude Magnet
3) & 2) Agreed
1) For five minutes

I’d love an Air with more RAM and Apple Pencil 2 capability. If it can work with the Magic Keyboard, I’d consider that too. If a new iPad with these are announced this week, yay!

 

[Apple_Robert]

4) Dude Magnet
3) & 2) Agreed
1) For five minutes

I’d love an Air with more RAM and Apple Pencil 2 capability. If it can work with the Magic Keyboard, I’d consider that too. If a new iPad with these are announced this week, yay!

You may end up being a very happy lady this month. Five minutes of fame on MacRumors is all I need. As to chick magnet...

 

[kazmac]

You may end up being a very happy lady this month. Five minutes of fame on MacRumors is all I need. As to chick magnet...

?That would be nice.

In all seriousness, it would be great to have some Pro features at a cheaper price (especially the two I mentioned). USB-C would also help for external storage. I‘d like to start dabbling in video editing and design on an iPad, but would like to keep the cost down -if possible- since my 2013 iMac needs replacing (Waiting on AS).

I can see Apple making a 12.9 iPP and replacing the 11” with the Air.

 

[Apple_Robert]

?That would be nice.

In all seriousness, it would be great to have some Pro features at a cheaper price (especially the two I mentioned). USB-C would also help for external storage. I‘d like to start dabbling in video editing and design on an iPad, but would like to keep the cost down -if possible- since my 2013 iMac needs replacing (Waiting on AS).

I can see Apple making a 12.9 iPP and replacing the 11” with the Air.

I have been very happy with my pro features iPad Pro If I was in the market for a new iPad like you, I would be giving a serious look to a new iPad Air, as it does look promising if rumors are accurate.

 

[0906742]

I haven't seen anything on Apple website about coming event next week. Shouldn't it be already announced if they are going to keep one in the next week?

Anyway, I'm having hard time decide what to do. I already placed order for Air 3 since we can buy if from back to school offer for a small discount + free Airpods 2. So Im wondering if they announce Air 4 next week, they would include it to back to school offer and sell it discounted right from the announcement (I don't think so). Also considering that this offer is valid for next 1-2 months, I don't see why they would do that.

So wondering if current Air3 with that offer is still a good deal compared to possible Air 4, even considering if it was priced the same as Air 3 but without additional back to school offer? Sure if they sell it the same offer as Air 3 today at the same price it is no brainer but how possible that is?

 

[bluespark]

Sounds like me with iPad storage. Top capacity or bust.

Mind, up to 256GB, I was struggling with not having enough but I reckon 512GB’s actually pretty workable.

Apple gets me all the time on this sort of thing. I always buy cellular-capable iPads, for example, even when I know in my heart of hearts that I'll never actually use that feature.

 

[satchmo]

I haven't seen anything on Apple website about coming event next week. Shouldn't it be already announced if they are going to keep one in the next week?

Anyway, I'm having hard time decide what to do. I already placed order for Air 3 since we can buy if from back to school offer for a small discount + free Airpods 2. So Im wondering if they announce Air 4 next week, they would include it to back to school offer and sell it discounted right from the announcement (I don't think so). Also considering that this offer is valid for next 1-2 months, I don't see why they would do that.

So wondering if current Air3 with that offer is still a good deal compared to possible Air 4, even considering if it was priced the same as Air 3 but without additional back to school offer? Sure if they sell it the same offer as Air 3 today at the same price it is no brainer but how possible that is?

That’s a very good question. My guess would be unlikely Apple will include a new product (the Air 4) as part of a promotion. However, iPad Pros are relatively new products, so who knows.

As far as the Air 3, it likely will be less capable and look more dated than an Air 4. It all depends on how much you value a free pair of AirPods.

 

[satchmo]

Benefits include

1) MacRumors Forum prestige
2) Magic Keyboard
3) Apple Pencil 2
4) Chick Magnet

1.Not if new Air specs match or temporarily surpass those of the Pro

2 & 3 will be compatible with the new Air

4. Women don’t go for posers. ?

 

[rui no onna]

Apple gets me all the time on this sort of thing. I always buy cellular-capable iPads, for example, even when I know in my heart of hearts that I'll never actually use that feature.

Cellular + top capacity here. That used to cost only $829 in the early iPad years but nowadays, that's gone up to $1449/1649 and was as high as $1699/1899 at one point.

I make use of both a lot, though. Currently still on 512GB LTE iPP (2nd gen) and both use around 400GB. I keep 20% free space otherwise iCloud Photos bugs me and complains that there's not enough space for syncing in original quality.

 

[Seanm87]

I haven't seen anything on Apple website about coming event next week. Shouldn't it be already announced if they are going to keep one in the next week?

Anyway, I'm having hard time decide what to do. I already placed order for Air 3 since we can buy if from back to school offer for a small discount + free Airpods 2. So Im wondering if they announce Air 4 next week, they would include it to back to school offer and sell it discounted right from the announcement (I don't think so). Also considering that this offer is valid for next 1-2 months, I don't see why they would do that.

So wondering if current Air3 with that offer is still a good deal compared to possible Air 4, even considering if it was priced the same as Air 3 but without additional back to school offer? Sure if they sell it the same offer as Air 3 today at the same price it is no brainer but how possible that is?

There is no event planned next week. It’s going to be released as a press release.

 

[AutomaticApple]

There is no event planned next week.

We will just have to wait and see. Everything's in a gray area at this point.

 

[0906742]

That’s a very good question. My guess would be unlikely Apple will include a new product (the Air 4) as part of a promotion. However, iPad Pros are relatively new products, so who knows.

As far as the Air 3, it likely will be less capable and look more dated than an Air 4. It all depends on how much you value a free pair of AirPods.

I’m afraid too that they would not include just released Air 4 in this promotion right away but then again it does not make any sense that they would still keep selling Air 3 for the remaining promotion time almost couple of months. Don’t they usually drop old model from sale completly? I don’t see a point selling Air 3 and 4 at the same price.

As far as considering current Air promotion price that Airpods are easily worth 100 euros, so taking that in to account and the fact that iPad price is also about 25 euros less than normal, it is about 125 euros under list price then. Does that still sound like a bad deal if new Air 4 is coming soon?

I just don’t believe there will be new iPads announced next week because they haven’t published any information about such event. I don’t think this big update if all we have heard from upcoming Air are true will be just press release and not get full event ”circus”. Also they are still accepting new orders for Air 3 model and based on delivery estimate 2 to 3 weeks, it sound like they don’t have them in stock and you need to wait production. Does not make sense to me there would be new Air 4 released next week.

 

[MacPoulet]

I haven't seen anything on Apple website about coming event next week. Shouldn't it be already announced if they are going to keep one in the next week?

Anyway, I'm having hard time decide what to do. I already placed order for Air 3 since we can buy if from back to school offer for a small discount + free Airpods 2. So Im wondering if they announce Air 4 next week, they would include it to back to school offer and sell it discounted right from the announcement (I don't think so). Also considering that this offer is valid for next 1-2 months, I don't see why they would do that.

So wondering if current Air3 with that offer is still a good deal compared to possible Air 4, even considering if it was priced the same as Air 3 but without additional back to school offer? Sure if they sell it the same offer as Air 3 today at the same price it is no brainer but how possible that is?

There’s a chance it’ll be included. The refreshed iMacs are.

 

[0906742]

There’s a chance it’ll be included. The refreshed iMacs are.

I don’t see any upcoming event date listed on Apple site. I find it hard to believe there is event next week or very soon. Improvements just seem too big they would just introduce it in press release.

 

[Achillias]

Them you don't know Apple enough. They release products without letting you know on the website when it could come.

 

[Marlon DLTH :)]

I don’t see any upcoming event date listed on Apple site. I find it hard to believe there is event next week or very soon. Improvements just seem too big they would just introduce it in press release.

The 16” MacBook Pro, the AirPods Pro, the iPad Pro (4gen), the iPhone SE... all of them were released via press release, and they were important updates.

 

[vbctv]

September 7th or 8th.

It would be 8th, rumored to be a press release in the morning. The 7th is Labor Day here in the US. It's a holiday...

 

[satchmo]

Of course they could announce the Air 4 next week but it wont be available until Oct. (after the promo is over).

 

[Homme]

Don’t forget though March of last year Air 3/Mini 5 were announced via press release amongst other things

The A12X/Z chips are another advantage, they are more powerful than the A13.

Multi core yes. Single core No

 

[0906742]

It would be 8th, rumored to be a press release in the morning. The 7th is Labor Day here in the US. It's a holiday...

I hope they will but I don't really believe they do. If they are bringing Air closer to Pro models that would be such a big move it would deserve some bigger event with audience.

Of course they could announce the Air 4 next week but it wont be available until Oct. (after the promo is over).

I understood this promo is valid nearly until end of Oct, so if they will drop Air 3 when announce Air 4 they would have too take orders for it in this promo. So I really think they won't announce anything until the promo is over. Also considering delays Covid has caused, I'm pretty sure the timetable is moved forward this year.

 

[MacPoulet]

Of course they could announce the Air 4 next week but it wont be available until Oct. (after the promo is over).

I could be wrong, but usually when Apple releases something via press release, it’s available immediately.

 

[0906742]

I could be wrong, but usually when Apple releases something via press release, it’s available immediately.

I think so too. So probably very unlikely anything new coming next week.

 

[AutomaticApple]

probably very unlikely anything new coming next week.

What about all the rumors that are suggesting otherwise?