12.9-Inch iPad Air Display Shipments Reportedly Underway Ahead of March 2024 Launch

[MacRumors]

2023 is set to become the first calendar year with no new iPads released in the device's history, but updates to the entire iPad lineup are expected next year. Notably, it has been rumored that the next iPad Air will be released in two sizes.

Apple's supply chain started shipments of display panels for a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air this month, according to a post on X today from Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Young has a good track record for display-related Apple rumors, so the information he shared today is likely accurate.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1733886638210809912

Multiple other sources have claimed that Apple is planning to release a 12.9-inch iPad Air, including Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes, Apple analyst Ming-Chu Kuo, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Earlier this week, Gurman said that he expects the 12.9-inch iPad Air to be released around March 2024.

Beyond its larger display size, no major design changes have been rumored yet for the 12.9-inch iPad Air. The current iPad Air is equipped with a 10.9-inch display, and that model is also expected to be updated around March next year.

The next iPad Pro models are widely expected to be equipped with OLED displays, and they will likely be more expensive than the current iPad Pro models as a result. By sticking with a more cost-friendly LCD panel, the 12.9-inch iPad Air should be priced between the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the next 11-inch iPad Pro.

Article Link: 12.9-Inch iPad Air Display Shipments Reportedly Underway Ahead of March 2024 Launch

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Please, let the base configurations start with 128GB!

🤞😓

 

[Flash1420]

I mean it kinda defeats the point of an iPad and makes the existing lineup even more confusing. I am betting the price won't be cheap either and add the Magic Keyboard, it would make it even more expensive. At that point, the MacBook Air M1 will be much better from a price and functionality standpoint. They should honestly just have 3 iPads in their lineup:
1. iPad mini
2. Combine the iPad Air and iPad Pro 11-inch
3. iPad Pro 12.9-inch.

People are complaining that iPadOS is too limiting, I mean what more could they add to prevent overlap with macOS? The iPad was designed to offer more functionality and utility than an iPhone but not as much as a Mac.

 

[TigerNike23]

Just read a report about Apple wanting to simplify the iPad lineup.

So what do they do?

Add a second iPad Air screen size.

SMH Tim

 

[Polinsky]

Just read a report about Apple wanting to simplify the iPad lineup.

So what do they do?

Add a second iPad Air screen size.

Are you saying that dealing with choices is simply too complicated for buyers to comprehend?

 

[GeoStructural]

Please, let the base configurations start with 128GB!

🤞😓

256 GB at least.

 

[WishyWashyUK]

Sounds intriguing. Basically a 2018 12.9” IPP but with newer processor and Touch ID rather than Face ID? I’m thinking that price-wise this may end up being comparable to a refurb M1 12.9” IPP so may be a tricky choice…

 

[bradman83]

Just read a report about Apple wanting to simplify the iPad lineup.

So what do they do?

Add a second iPad Air screen size.

SMH Tim

The article's rationale is that people wanting a larger screen would no longer be forced into the highest-end iPad Pro. Similarly to how the 15" MacBook Air and larger iPhone Plus models bring larger screen options to consumer oriented hardware. Maybe simplified isn't the word they should have used - the the varying product tiers are now more complete.

 

[Populus]

Sounds intriguing. Basically a 2018 12.9” IPP but with newer processor and Touch ID rather than Face ID? I’m thinking that price-wise this may end up being comparable to a refurb M1 12.9” IPP so may be a tricky choice…

My guess is that it will come with an M2 and 8GB of DDR5 RAM, so no, not a 2018 iPad Pro (A12X and 4GB of DDR4 RAM), but rather a 2022 iPad Pro without pro-Motion and Face ID. And quite possibly, smaller base storage.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

will it have 120hz?

 

[tomtad]

Just read a report about Apple wanting to simplify the iPad lineup.

So what do they do?

Add a second iPad Air screen size.

SMH Tim

I think they're just copying the iPhone and Mac line up with a Pro line (2 screen sizes) and a regular, or Air, line (2 screen sizes). Seems simple enough.

For me it's what they do with the remaining iPads that I'm curious about, does the 10th gen iPad get a discount and replace the entry level 9th gen. Do we get an 11th gen version of that iPad. Does the mini continue to exist separately or does it get integrated into the Air line, does the mini get integrated into the budget line. It's here where things need cleaning up IMO. Just one single budget iPad, with one or two screen sizes, would really clean things up IMO.

My ideal line up would be:

High end - iPad Pro (11" or 13")
Regular - iPad Air (10.9" or 12.9")
Budget - iPad (8" or 10.5")

 

[EvilEvil]

256 GB at least.

1 TB at least or bust a nut.

 

[TigerNike23]

Are you saying that dealing with choices is simply too complicated for buyers to comprehend?

Yes. That’s exactly what I’m saying.

Steve Jobs said the same thing 26 years ago.

 

[TigerNike23]

Also, to the folks on here, there’s ZERO CHANCE of the following:

1. Base 128 GB model
2. Anything above 60 Hz display
3. M3
4. Base 12.9 being under $800
5. Thunderbolt port

All you’ll get is a bigger screen and a bigger battery. That’s it. That’s how Tim works.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I’ll certainly read the articles about it and watch the Youtube reviews, but if I were in the market for a 12.9” I’d be comparing it to an Apple refurb M1 with ProMotion, Face ID, and quad speakers.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Just give me a OLED cellular Pro

 

[zombierunner]

Please, let the base configurations start with 128GB!

🤞😓

Hopefully 256GB at least on the Pro?

 

[Fraserpatty]

Just read a report about Apple wanting to simplify the iPad lineup.

So what do they do?

Add a second iPad Air screen size.

SMH Tim

What I want to know is what is the maximum storage. I would consider an air if I could get a terabyte of storage on it.

 

[Stiksi]

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess Apple will pair this with the new useless (or pressure-less for the note-taking exclusive clientele) Pencil model. Can’t have people drawing on a non-flagship device.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Very dull. Why don't they do something new?

 

[iLuddite]

256 GB at least.

Throw in 32GB RAM while we’re at it.

 

[CWallace]

The article's rationale is that people wanting a larger screen would no longer be forced into the highest-end iPad Pro. Similarly to how the 15" MacBook Air and larger iPhone Plus models bring larger screen options to consumer oriented hardware. Maybe simplified isn't the word they should have used - the the varying product tiers are now more complete.

Indeed. If Apple prices a 64GB 12.9" iPad Air at $699, that is $400 cheaper than the 128GB 12.9" iPad Pro.

 

[q64ceo]

Please put macOS on it

 

[darngooddesign]

Also, to the folks on here, there’s ZERO CHANCE of the following:

4. Base 12.9 being under $800

Incorrect… it will be $799. 😜

All you’ll get is a bigger screen and a bigger battery. That’s it. That’s how Tim works.

Better speakers too. It’s an iPad Air Plus so you’ll get the same improvements you get in the iPhone Plus, MacBook Air Plus, and MacBook Pro Plus.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess Apple will pair this with the new useless (or pressure-less for the note-taking exclusive clientele) Pencil model. Can’t have people drawing on a non-flagship device.

Well, at the very least, the (yet to be announced) Apple Pencil 3rd. Gen would be entirely incompatible with the upcoming iPads Air. Or just not have access to all features while the M3 iPads Pro will get all of them.

So this new 12.9" iPad Air can only use the 2nd Gen. Pencil or the faux $79 one (Apple Pencil USB-C).