Is a New iPad Air Coming? Here’s Everything We Expect to See

Apple had a pretty eventful 2023. Not only did the company launch some cool new tech like a brand new iMac and the first-ever USB-C iPhone 15, but it’s also seeing a lot of legal debates with the way it’s handled the App Store and the Apple Watch.

But one thing we didn’t see this year was a new iPad. Usually, Apple refreshes at least one iPad model every year, but the last time we saw a new iPad was in late 2022. 

That’s not to say Apple has given up on the iPad. Rather, the company is just waiting for the right moment. 

Don’t worry; if rumors are right, there are a few iPads coming our way, and they might be here sooner than we expect. Here’s everything you need to know.

A New 6th-Gen iPad Air Is Coming

It’s not surprising to hear that Apple will launch a brand new iPad Air in 2024. After all, the iPad Air is the perfect blend of power and affordability, at least when compared to the more expensive iPad Pro models. 

However, in 2024, Apple might also change the way it’s handled the iPad Air so far. 

We Might See Two iPad Air Models in 2024

One of the biggest changes is that we might not see one but two different iPad Air tablets in 2024. According to several rumors, Apple is working on two different sizes of the iPad Air, similar to what we see with the iPad Pro.

The 10.9-inch model will continue to exist, but we might also get a 12.9-inch iPad Air, similar to the size of the largest iPad Pro.

However, other than the bigger size and a few changes on the display, there won’t likely be any major difference between the two models. 

This also means that design-wise, both models will also be pretty similar to the current iPad Air.

The Display Will Remain the Same (For the Most Part)

Other than a size increase, we’ll likely see the same iPad Air display in 2024. According to rumors, both models will continue to rock LCD panels and won’t feature mini-LED or OLED.

With that said, if the 12.9-inch model does exist, MacRumors points out that it might have an “oxide” backplane, which would give the bigger model an improved performance in its display compared to the current model.

Unfortunately, this means we likely won’t see ProMotion on the iPad Air this time either. This, of course, makes sense since it seems Apple is keeping this feature exclusive to the iPad Pro models.

Connectivity and Performance

While the outside might stay the same, the inside of the iPad Air is where the upgrade will shine. 

For starters, rumor has it that the new iPad Air modes will feature Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which would allow for faster and stronger connectivity. These features are already on the current iPad Pro and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Moreover, the new iPad Air is said to feature Apple’s M2 chip, one of the company’s most powerful processors. Granted, the M3 chip is a small possibility, but it’s highly likely that Apple will save that one for the new iPad Pro models.

6th-Generation iPad Air: Release Date

While we don’t have an official release date yet, there are many rumors that suggest the new iPad Air will come out in the first quarter of 2024. This will fall in line with the release of iPadOS 17.4 and just before Apple’s 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), giving developers a chance to test their apps using Apple’s latest hardware.

A New iPad Pro Will Launch in 2024, Too

The iPad Air isn’t the only one getting all the love this year. In fact, it seems Apple is also working on changing the current iPad Pro models to make them look and feel more like a computer. Unfortunately, not everything is good news, as a new price increase is also rumored.

The New iPad Pro Will Have a Larger Display, but Similar Design

It seems Apple finally found the perfect design for the iPad, as it doesn’t look like the company is changing it any time soon. 

Design-wise, the new iPad Pro models should look the same as the current generation. With that said, there are rumors that Apple is planning on using a glass back this time around. This feature would be huge as it would allow the iPad Pro to be charged wirelessly, which is something we’ve all wanted forever.

The biggest change, however, will be in the displays. Some rumors point out that the bigger 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be even bigger and will feature a 13-inch display. While this might sound crazy at first, this does make sense when you think about the possible 12.9-inch iPad Air that’s supposedly coming in 2024, too.

This display is also rumored to be OLED instead of mini-LED, which would make it the best display on any iPad. Colors would be more accurate, and it would be the brightest display we’ve ever seen.

Unfortunately, the smaller iPad Pro won’t get the same treatment. Rumor has it that Apple will keep the 11-inch model basically the same in the display department.

The iPad Pro Will Be the Most Powerful One Yet

As you can expect from a new product, a new chip is also coming to the iPad Pro models. According to rumors, Apple will feature the M3 processor on the iPad Pro models, making them the most powerful ones yet.

This is not really a surprise since the current iPad Pro models already have the M2 chip, which was the most powerful processor Apple had when they launched in October 2022. It would only make sense for the company to use its latest and greatest chip this time, too.

The Magic Keyboard Is Changing, Too

The iPad isn’t the only one getting an upgrade. Apple is said to also be planning an upgrade to the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Models, although it’ll be a small change. 

The only change we’ve heard of right now is that Apple will make the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard larger, which would make sense considering the 13-inch iPad Pro that we might get.

iPad Pro: Price and Release Date

Rumors point out that Apple is looking to launch the new iPad Pro models in the first quarter of 2024, probably alongside the new iPad Air. It’s possible that we’ll see all of these new models launch in March 2024, albeit we’ll still need to wait for an actual event.

As for the price, this is where the good news stop. According to many sources, Apple is looking to increase the price of both iPad Pro models.

Currently, the 11-inch and the 12.9-inch models start at $799 and $1099, respectively. However, that price might go up by as much as $700. 

Yes, you read that right. If rumors are correct, the 11-inch iPad Pro would start at $1,500, and the 12.9-inch model (or 13-inch if the rumors are correct) would cost $1,800. Granted, these are just rumors that hopefully aren’t right. 

What About the iPad mini?

Unfortunately for iPad mini lovers, Apple won’t give you any big upgrades in 2024 — or even in 2025, for that matter.

While several rumors suggest a new seventh-generation iPad mini could be coming as soon as March 2024, it’s expected to be a minor refresh at best. Apple will undoubtedly bump the processor to at least an A16, and might even throw in an M-series chip like the M1 or M2. However, that’s likely to be about it for now.

If the rumors are true, Apple won’t launch another iPad mini after that until 2026, at which point it’s expected to get an OLED display that could also include a size increase from 8.3 inches to 8.7 inches. 

Unfortunately, that’s all we know for now, so we’ll have to wait for more information.

New iPads Are Closer Then You Think

As you can see, the new iPad is coming, and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you want a new iPad Air or want to start replacing your laptop with an iPad Pro, the 2024 models look very interesting.

Of course, all of these are rumors and speculations, so you should take them with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to the price increase. With that said, we’ll have to wait and see what Apple has in store for us this year.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]