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

[Dave245]

I hope that you’re wrong about those specs, particularly the A12. What’s the point of having a event for a device that has virtually the same specs as its 18 month old predecessor? That would make this Air entirely a cosmetic upgrade.

Not that there isn’t precedent for that through. 7th gen iPad has the same A10 as the 6th gen (but at least had a RAM upgrade), and the Mini 3 had exactly the same specs as the Mini 2. But those devices are/were on a 12 month update cycle at the time.

The thing is they can't really put an up to date and powerful processor in the new Air 4, the iPad Pro 11" would then be pointless. I saw on Twitter that Even Blass has said the Air will get an A14 chip, the guy is usually very accurate but i don't think he's right about that! Putting an A14 into the Air would make it more powerful than the current iPad Pro, unless they are also updating the Pro at the same time (which i really doubt since it was updated a few months back).

I think the design of the Air will get the 2018 Pro design (thinner bezels and removal of the home button) the Touch ID will either be in the display or on one of the buttons. No Promotion display, LIDAR or anything like that.

It will be interesting to see what Apple do with the Air 4. Only a few more hours until we find out

 

[joeblow7777]

The thing is they can't really put an up to date and powerful processor in the new Air 4, the iPad Pro 11" would then be pointless. I saw on Twitter that Even Blass has said the Air will get an A14 chip, the guy is usually very accurate but i don't think he's right about that! Putting an A14 into the Air would make it more powerful than the current iPad Pro, unless they are also updating the Pro at the same time (which i really doubt since it was updated a few months back).

I think the design of the Air will get the 2018 Pro design (thinner bezels and removal of the home button) the Touch ID will either be in the display or on one of the buttons. No Promotion display, LIDAR or anything like that.

It will be interesting to see what Apple do with the Air 4. Only a few more hours until we find out

I think that the idea of it getting an A14 is extremely delusional, but an A13 or an A12X at least isn’t out of the question. Honestly, I want to get this as an upgrade to my Air 3. Apple has my money unless they give me a reason not to. I can’t justify the purchase if it has the exact same internals.

 

[Dave245]

I think that the idea of it getting an A14 is extremely delusional, but an A13 or an A12X at least isn’t out of the question. Honestly, I want to get this as an upgrade to my Air 3. Apple has my money unless they give me a reason not to. I can’t justify the purchase if it has the exact same internals.

I completely agree, I’ll be watching the event looking forward to the iPad announcements. I’m due an update at some point soon, from my 2017 iPad Pro. Todays event will help me decide between the new Air (with the new design) or the iPad Pro.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I hope that you’re wrong about those specs, particularly the A12. What’s the point of having a event for a device that has virtually the same specs as its 18 month old predecessor? That would make this Air entirely a cosmetic upgrade.

Not that there isn’t precedent for that through. 7th gen iPad has the same A10 as the 6th gen (but at least had a RAM upgrade), and the Mini 3 had exactly the same specs as the Mini 2. But those devices are/were on a 12 month update cycle at the time.

I just can’t see Apple giving its $500-$600 midrange iPad a better processor than its top of the line $800 iPad Pro. Even updating it to A12X seems unlikely since that has the exact same CPU performance as the A12Z in the current Pros and only slightly worse graphics performance.

Keep in mind the Pros are also on a 18 month cycle and still got essentially the same processor in early 2020 as they had in late 2018. By not updating the processor in the Pros in a meaningful way earlier this year, Apple has left itself nowhere to go with the Air. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on a bump in RAM to 4GB over a processor upgrade in the Air 4.

 

[andy72965]

I’m excited about today’s announcement. I’m still using a 4 year old iPad Air 2. It still works great but I’m ready for an upgrade. If the new Air 4 is everything that’s rumored with the A14 chip I’m all in on it. 64gb’s of storage is fine for me.

 

[joeblow7777]

I just can’t see Apple giving its $500-$600 midrange iPad a better processor than its top of the line $800 iPad Pro. Even updating it to A12X seems unlikely since that has the exact same CPU performance as the A12Z in the current Pros and only slightly worse graphics performance.

Keep in mind the Pros are also on a 18 month cycle and still got essentially the same processor in early 2020 as they had in late 2018. By not updating the processor in the Pros in a meaningful way earlier this year, Apple has left itself nowhere to go with the Air. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on a bump in RAM to 4GB over a processor upgrade in the Air 4.

That's true, but let's not forget that rumours suggest that the so called "budget" ipad is being updated too. It's been on a 12 month cycle for a few years now, and having been on the A10 for the last 2 models, rumours suggest that it's moving to the A12. Where would that leave the Air, with the same processor as the budget model?

I don't think that a RAM upgrade is enough to get people to buy the Air 4. Apple hardly even discusses the RAM in their iOS devices. Most people don't even know how much RAM their iPad has.

I'm really thinking that an A12X makes the most sense for the Air 4, effectively making it on par with a 2018 Pro many some of the bells and whistles like 120Hz refresh rate. That's sort of what the Air 3 is compared to the 2017 Pro.

 

[0906742]

I just can’t see Apple giving its $500-$600 midrange iPad a better processor than its top of the line $800 iPad Pro. Even updating it to A12X seems unlikely since that has the exact same CPU performance as the A12Z in the current Pros and only slightly worse graphics performance.

Keep in mind the Pros are also on a 18 month cycle and still got essentially the same processor in early 2020 as they had in late 2018. By not updating the processor in the Pros in a meaningful way earlier this year, Apple has left itself nowhere to go with the Air. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on a bump in RAM to 4GB over a processor upgrade in the Air 4.

Exactly. I believe Air 4 will be mostly cosmetics update, meaning bigger display and perhaps a Pro like case but with some limitations. Only RAM could increase to 4GB but I think it is most like Air 5 until we see CPU and RAM updates. Sure I'd like to see them just renaming Pro 2018 to Air 4 but I don't think they want to cannibalize their Pro sales.

 

[Joplin]

Keep in mind the Pros are also on a 18 month cycle and still got essentially the same processor in early 2020 as they had in late 2018. By not updating the processor in the Pros in a meaningful way earlier this year, Apple has left itself nowhere to go with the Air. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on a bump in RAM to 4GB over a processor upgrade in the Air 4.

I agree. A12 with 4 GB RAM seems more likely than an A14 (even if paired with 3 GB RAM). I suppose the A13 is a possibility as well, but the point stands that a higher number chip in the Air than in the Pro devices seems an unlikely choice for Apple.

So yes, my bet is still on A12/3 GB and a collective sigh from all of us. A few more hours and we’ll know!

 

[kazmac]

It seems like the iPad Air 4 is going to get a BIG update at tomorrow’s event! The same design as the iPad Pro (without the Lidar camera), probably a newer processor (A13?) and Touch ID either under the display or in the home button. Oh and new colours, according to a new report the Air 4 will get a new blue and green colour options.

I think the Air 4 will be the go too iPad for most people if the rumours are true. The LIDAR camera most people won’t use or even care about at this point, a faster processor will only be worth it if you game or use Photoshop, LumaFusion editing app and so on.

The Apple Pencil 2 may even be compatible with this new Air 4 alongside the Magic Keyboard! That would be cool.

Hoping for Apple Pencil 2, more RAM & storage on the Air 4. If the Air 4 does not get more RAM, I’ll just buy the iPad 8th gen if the specs are better than the 7.

 

[MacDevil7334]

That's true, but let's not forget that rumours suggest that the so called "budget" ipad is being updated too. It's been on a 12 month cycle for a few years now, and having been on the A10 for the last 2 models, rumours suggest that it's moving to the A12. Where would that leave the Air, with the same processor as the budget model?

I don't think that a RAM upgrade is enough to get people to buy the Air 4. Apple hardly even discusses the RAM in their iOS devices. Most people don't even know how much RAM their iPad has.

I'm really thinking that an A12X makes the most sense for the Air 4, effectively making it on par with a 2018 Pro many some of the bells and whistles like 120Hz refresh rate. That's sort of what the Air 3 is compared to the 2017 Pro.

Completely agree that most people buying an Air don’t know or care how much RAM it has. This Air update won’t just be a RAM upgrade though. It will have an all new design (for that particular iPad line), which I think is going to be a bigger driver of getting people to buy than any internal specs. I suspect Apple would rather risk having parity between it’s budget and Air lines than between the Air and the Pro lines. The markup on the Pros is substantial and I suspect Apple’s margins are better there. The Air will still have the new design, compatibility with newer accessories, and a laminated P3 screen to differentiate it from the budget iPad if they both end up with the same processor. I suspect the average consumer would care more about those items I listed over the processor anyway.

Anyway, we’ll know in just a few short hours!

 

[Joplin]

Where would that leave the Air, with the same processor as the budget model?

Let’s not forget that Apple has (frustratingly enough for the consumer) always been really good at making products/models that feel underwhelming in one way or another, creating incentive for people to upgrade to a higher tier. Be it gimped storage, RAM, CPU or something else.

I can definitely see them presenting the Air 4 as a cosmetic update with access to their top of the line accessories (Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard). Want more processing power as well? Buy the Pro!

 

[joeblow7777]

Let’s not forget that Apple has (frustratingly enough for the consumer) always been really good at making products/models that feel underwhelming in one way or another, creating incentive for people to upgrade to a higher tier. Be it gimped storage, RAM, CPU or something else.

I can definitely see them presenting the Air 4 as a cosmetic update with access to their top of the line accessories (Pencil 2, Magic Keyboard). Want more processing power as well? Buy the Pro!

I fear that you're right...

Okay, placing final bets: I’m saying A12X, 3GB of RAM, same storage options and prices as the Air 3. Same body as the 11” Pro, but maybe slightly thicker bezels. No ProMotion.

 

[Joplin]

Final bet, that’s the spirit!

There is also the unlikely scenario of a Pro speed bump. That would be the only scenario where I can find the Air 4 getting a SoC update seem realistic. The leaker suggesting A12X in the base iPad seems far out. It’s kind of interesting when this thing can go a few different ways today.

Since the 11” Pro design seems to be expected across the board I guess one of the more interesting questions is if the Air 4 will get quad speakers.

 

[Dave245]

Hoping for Apple Pencil 2, more RAM & storage on the Air 4. If the Air 4 does not get more RAM, I’ll just buy the iPad 8th gen if the specs are better than the 7.

If the Air 4 is compatible with the gen 2 Apple Pencil and the new Magic Keyboard, it will be tempting (depending on specs also).

 

[MacDevil7334]

Final bet, that’s the spirit!

There is also the unlikely scenario of a Pro speed bump. That would be the only scenario where I can find the Air 4 getting a SoC update seem realistic. The leaker suggesting A12X in the base iPad seems far out. It’s kind of interesting when this thing can go a few different ways today.

Since the 11” Pro design seems to be expected across the board I guess one of the more interesting questions is if the Air 4 will get quad speakers.

I’d be shocked if it ended up with quad speakers. That has always been one of the key differentiators of the Pro line. Just like the Air 3 was a 10.5” Pro chassis with a worse camera and dual speakers, I bet the Air 4 will be the 11” Pro chassis with a worse camera and dual speakers (and a slightly smaller screen).

Also, the amount of fragmentation in iPad screen sizes has gotten ridiculous. In the past 2 years, we have had 7.9”, 9.7”, 10.2”, 10.5” 10.8” (rumored), 11”, and 12.9”. Any developer who has not implemented adaptive layout in their apps has to be pretty sad at this point.

 

[IngerMan]

You folks remember the Heinz ketchup commercials back in the the 70's right.

 

[Dave245]

You folks remember the Heinz ketchup commercials back in the the 70's right.

I wasn’t born until the late 80’s so no I don’t remember it ?

 

[joeblow7777]

You folks remember the Heinz ketchup commercials back in the the 70's right.

70s? Okay, boomer! ?

Just kidding! That’s a little before my time though.

 

[snipr125]

I fear that you're right...

Okay, placing final bets: I’m saying A12X, 3GB of RAM, same storage options and prices as the Air 3. Same body as the 11” Pro, but maybe slightly thicker bezels. No ProMotion.

My final bet is the ipad air 4 with A13 and 4gb RAM....

 

[MacDevil7334]

Well now Mark Gurman is on Twitter saying the Air is getting A14 so who the heck even knows anymore! Only 2.5 hours to go!

 

[kazmac]

Eh, whatever. The leaker wars are such a drag.

If the Air 4 has the internals I want, great. If not and the 8th Gen IPad also doesn’t have anything I need, also great.

I will say the Heinz commercial made me hungry...so thanks for that.?

 

[Dave245]

Well now Mark Gurman is on Twitter saying the Air is getting A14 so who the heck even knows anymore! Only 2.5 hours to go!

If it gets the A14 doesn’t that mean it will not only beat the iPhone to be the first to have the A14 chip, but also be faster than the iPad Pro? seems a little odd for an Air updated! I could believe it if it was for the iPad Pro, but the Air is midrange.

 

[joeblow7777]

If it gets the A14 doesn’t that mean it will not only beat the iPhone to be the first to have the A14 chip, but also be faster than the iPad Pro? seems a little odd for an Air updated! I could believe it if it was for the iPad Pro, but the Air is midrange.

Agreed. I would love to be wrong about this, but I would be EXTREMELY surprised if the Air 4 has an A14. That makes no sense to me.

 

[Dave245]

Agreed. I would love to be wrong about this, but I would be EXTREMELY surprised if the Air 4 has an A14. That makes no sense to me.

I guess we will find out in less than 2 hours if I’m wrong about this it will be in a good way and I will be pleasantly surprised!

 

[MacPoulet]

70s? Okay, boomer! ?

Just kidding! That’s a little before my time though.

Calling a Gen-Xer a Boomer? That's harsh...