Apple has been a little slow lately when it comes to new iPad launches. Its last iPad launch was in October last year when it released a new iPad Pro variant powered by its then-new M2 processor and a new 10th-generation iPad with a new design and a new keyboard accessory. While we have been hearing rumors about some new and interesting iPad models, there is finally some news that confirms that they are indeed being tested and should be launched soon.
9to5mac According to its sources it is claimed that everything is on track and Apple will announce some new iPad models soon. This will include a new iPad Mini (or Mini 7), which will replace the currently available iPad Mini 2021. According to the source, it will retain the design of the old model and offer only spec upgrades. However, the strange thing is that when Apple plans to release it is still a difficult question to answer. The last Mini (Review) was released in September 2021 and it got an upgraded design with thinner bezels, an A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, and more.
Next in line is the new 11th-generation iPad, which is expected to replace the 10th iPad (Review) that was launched last year. It is also unclear whether Apple will retain the more affordable 9th generation iPad after this launch. According to the source, Apple will again be expected to maintain the same design as the previous model and will only give it a spec bump.
Models that are expected to get notable upgrades include the iPad Air and the new M3-powered iPad Pro. According to the source, Apple is reportedly experimenting with two versions of the iPad Air, one of which could be a larger 12.9-inch model. It is still under testing, so there is a good chance that this second version will not be fully announced, as the base model will still get an upgraded processor. Apple is also testing two variants of the new iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch) with M3 processors.
The 9to5Mac report also confirms Bloomberg’s previous report about a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad. It will evolve from a soft keyboard to a regular keyboard made of aluminum and will be based on the new iPad Pro models. The new keyboard will come with a larger trackpad and new sensors (including an accelerometer) and will make the tablet look more like Apple’s MacBook.
