What to Expect from the 2024 iPad Air and iPad mini
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Both Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman have confirmed that we can expect to see Apple update its iPad lineup — the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad — sometime in 2024.
In this article, I’ll reveal what new features we’ll likely see from 2024 models of two of Apple’s iPads, the iPad Air and the iPad mini.
2024 iPad Air
The 10.9-inch iPad Air was last updated in March 2022, when it received an M1 processor, a faster USB-C port, 5G connectivity on cellular models, and a an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with support for Center Stage.
In addition to the 10.9-inch iPad Air, Kuo has said that Apple is planning to add a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air to the lineup.
According to Kuo, the two new iPad Air models will boast new chips — likely the same M2 that Apple currently uses in its Mac and iPad Pro lineups — and that mass production will kick off in the first quarter of 2024.
Kuo also says the new 12.9-inch iPad Air will boast an LCD screen that will not use the same mini-LED technology used in the iPad Pro but will use the same oxide backplane. The display will offer better display performance than the current display used in the 10.9-inch iPad Air, which uses an a-Si backplane.
The next iPad Air models will also likely support Bluetooth 5.3 for improved Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E for faster speeds with a compatible router.
Wi-Fi 6E operates in the less congested 6 GHz frequency band, which offers a broader spectrum that results in reduced congestion and more data transmission channels. This makes it well-suited for high-bandwidth online activities, like gaming and streaming.
Kuo said he expects Apple to begin mass production of its new 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Air models in the first quarter of 2024. If accurate, that means the devices should hit shelves sometime during the first half of the year.
2024 iPad mini
It’s been more than two years since Apple released the sixth-generation iPad mini, meaning an updated version of the smallest iPad will likely go on sale in 2024.
We will likely see a new processor powering the 2024 iPad mini, possibly a faster A16 Bionic chip as an upgrade to the A15 Bionic in the current iPad mini.
Updated front and rear-facing cameras will also likely make an appearance, providing an improvement over the 12-megapixel rear camera and 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front camera used in the current model.
iPad mini connectivity will also almost certainly receive spec bumps, receiving improved Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and Wi-Fi 6E support for faster speeds with a compatible Wi-Fi 6E router. Apple currently offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 support in its latest iPhone 15 Pro models, the iPad Pro, and select new Macs.
The new iPad mini is also expected to receive an updated LCD display, which is expected to fix the iPad mini’s “jelly scrolling” issue that causes text or images on one side of the screen to appear to be tilted due to a mismatch in refresh rates. The issue becomes apparent when a user quickly scrolls through a webpage or other long-form content.
New colors are also possible, which could either replace or complement the currently available Starlight, Pink, Space Gray, and Purple color options.
Ming-Chi Kuo says we can expect mass production of a seventh-generation iPad mini to begin sometime during the second half of 2024, meaning we could see new minis hit stores sometime in September or October.
[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.]
