Apple is set to release its next iPads in early May, marking the end of the longest period without updates to the tablet line in the company’s history. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the launch is expected to take place the week of May 6, with pre-orders starting on May 10 and the on-sale date on May 17. The release will include a new iPad Pro in 12.9-inch and 11-inch sizes, featuring OLED screen technology for the first time. A newly redesigned Magic Keyboard and an updated Apple Pencil are also expected to be part of the launch. However, the introduction of OLED screens may lead to a price increase for the iPad Pro models.
In addition to the iPad Pro models, Gurman also predicts that two new iPad Air models will be unveiled during the launch. This includes a larger-screened model, possibly 12.9 inches, as well as a new version of the current 10.9-inch model. Gurman describes the upcoming release as one of the biggest updates to the Apple tablet in a single day. While it may seem surprising to introduce new iPad Air models alongside the iPad Pro, Apple has a history of launching multiple devices in a single event, such as the four new iPhones released each fall.
There have been more details emerging about Apple’s iPad plans, with Gurman mentioning that while the iPad Pro and iPad Air models are expected to be updated in early May, there will be a longer wait for the entry-level iPad and iPad mini. Gurman suggests that the new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini may not be released until the end of the year at the earliest. The low-end iPad is likely to be a cost-reduced version of the 2022 model, while the iPad mini update may only include a processor upgrade. This indicates that the iPad Pro and iPad Air launch next month may be the only updates for 2024, with the possibility of the entry-level iPad and iPad mini being delayed to 2025.
Overall, the upcoming iPad launch is highly anticipated, with fans looking forward to the introduction of OLED technology in the iPad Pro models, as well as potential updates to the iPad Air. The release date is expected to be during the week of May 6, with pre-orders starting on May 10 and the on-sale date on May 17. While there may be some skepticism about the simultaneous release of new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, Apple has a track record of launching multiple devices at once. The updates to the iPad lineup are expected to bring significant enhancements and improvements to the popular tablet series, making it one of the biggest updates in recent years.
