 |
| (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
Since the iPad's 2010 launch, Apple has not launched any new models for a very long period; 2023 will be the first year without any new iPad models. It was originally anticipated that the tablet drought would end this month with the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air 6 due to ship in March, but it seems like you'll have to wait a little while longer.
Both tablets are now scheduled for May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who first predicted the March release date last year. Citing "people with knowledge of the matter," the delay appears to be caused by two things: the need to complete tablet software quickly and the "complex new manufacturing techniques" needed to make the screens for the new models.
Although the source doesn't say which model is experiencing production issues, the iPad Pro is most likely the one. OLED panels will be used for the first time in the next version of Apple's priciest tablet, and this departure from earlier concepts is probably the main cause of the delay.
Wait Worth It for OLED iPad Pro
Though OLED technology normally offers higher image quality, with each pixel independently lighted, assuring perfect blacks and excellent contrast, the new panels should be well worth the wait. In addition, the tablet is expected to be a productivity powerhouse thanks to its ultra-thin bezels, the capability of Apple's most recent M3 CPU, and compatibility for a brand-new Magic Keyboard.
In the meanwhile, the redesigned iPad Air is expected to provide customers more options than ever before with its two distinct size options. Although there is just one 10.9-inch edition of the 2022 iPad Air accessible, the new model will also be offered in a new 12.9-inch frame, which was previously exclusive to those who could afford to spend top cash for the biggest iPad Pro.
It's an approach that emulates what Apple does with the iPhone. Even while the iPhone 15 Plus has less features than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can still enjoy a big-screen experience for $300 less if you don't want to spend $1,199 for one. But bear in mind that there's a rumor that suggests we won't get a bigger iPad Air, so that might not materialize.
Similar to iPhones, the iPad Air will have shortcomings when compared to the more costly Pro model. These include less expensive LED screens, the inability to support 120Hz ProMotion, a less capable camera, and perhaps a slower M2 CPU.
Soon enough, we should learn if the specs that have been speculated are accurate. In the next months, everything will become clear whether Gurman's sources are accurate.