Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
12.9-Inch iPad Air Display Shipments Reportedly Underway Ahead of March 2024 Launch
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It's good to have that option. If you want a bigger screen you don't have to spend for a Pro device. It makes sense. Yes it will probably be a horrible value $799 device with 60hz and 64GB of storage, 20 of which are taken up by an OS that does the exact same thing as your iPhone, but that's Apple for you. It makes sense in the product lineup.
What makes the iPad lineup confusing are the 'just iPad' models, the fact that the 9th gen exists as the iPhone SE of iPads. Both ridiculous products meant to serve as super entry-level, of course if you ignore the fact that they're still way too expensive and aren't really doing their job as such products.
What makes the iPad lineup confusing are the 'just iPad' models, the fact that the 9th gen exists as the iPhone SE of iPads. Both ridiculous products meant to serve as super entry-level, of course if you ignore the fact that they're still way too expensive and aren't really doing their job as such products.
Last edited:
And a 12.9-inch iPad Air would be a legitimate option for those who have issues with OLED screen flicker.
It seems to be the recurring thing with the Air ever since the third generation. It will have a newer SoC but worse everything else compared to a refurbished or just plain discounted previous gen iPad Pro. One could argue for either but really I think going with an older Pro wins out in most cases.
Would be an insta-buy from me. I love the larger form factor but for my specific use case I can't justify the cost of the pro, too many features I don't have any use for.
They could try something interesting like a foldable model rather than having twelve glass and aluminium rectangles with slightly different screen sizes
Meh. As someone who always wants the biggest screen possible I didn't like my 12.9 Pro at all. Just too big to use normally as an iPad. The only thing it ever got used for was for a 3rd screen for football (now have 3 TVs for football) and for movies on flights. Other wise just used it to run Dreamlab. I'm 6'4" so it's not like I'm a tiny person saying that.
It certainly has its use case, but for me using it just like an iPad, it's too big. I fell in love with the Mini and can't wait for a new one. I may try a used 11" Pro once the new Pro 11" drops.
It certainly has its use case, but for me using it just like an iPad, it's too big. I fell in love with the Mini and can't wait for a new one. I may try a used 11" Pro once the new Pro 11" drops.
Your right about everything apart from No1. They might finally make the base storage 128 GB, its 50-50 on that I reckon.
Passing on this. I'm still waiting for an iPad Mini Pro Cellular. That is my Unicorn Apple product. I'd be done.
I can see this dropping in the deliberately terrible 64GB and 256GB configurations, $699 and $849, respectively, but then only offering M1.
But even if it’s M2, I don’t see it being able to compete with a 12.9” Pro M1 or M2 (on sale) if you consider value/$.
This new iPad Air “Plus” will sit in the same weird spot as iPhones 14 Plus and 15 Plus, where you’d be getting way higher value/$ by buying a 13 Pro/Max or 14 Pro/Max on sale or refurbished.
Can’t see this iPad Air “Plus being attractive to me. Doesn’t seem like a good deal.
But even if it’s M2, I don’t see it being able to compete with a 12.9” Pro M1 or M2 (on sale) if you consider value/$.
This new iPad Air “Plus” will sit in the same weird spot as iPhones 14 Plus and 15 Plus, where you’d be getting way higher value/$ by buying a 13 Pro/Max or 14 Pro/Max on sale or refurbished.
Can’t see this iPad Air “Plus being attractive to me. Doesn’t seem like a good deal.
I think the ideal lineup is this:
iPad SE: Available in 8-inch or 10.5-inch screen sizes, powered by an A series chip (such as A17 non-pro) for $399 and $499 respectively.
iPad: Available in 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen sizes, powered by an A pro series chip (such as A17 pro) for $699 and $799 respectively.
iPad Pro: Available in 11-inch or 13-inch screen sizes, powered by a base M series chip (such as M3) for $999 and $1099 respectively.
Last edited:
Will still be neutered by that 60hz screen.
But the public generally buys larger screen size over quality. People will buy a 70 inch tv for 599 over a 55 inch with way better quality for 1500.
But the public generally buys larger screen size over quality. People will buy a 70 inch tv for 599 over a 55 inch with way better quality for 1500.
To each his or her own. I had an iPhone 13 Pro and much prefer my 15 Plus - especially after handling both the 14 Pro/Max and 15 Pro/Max. A lot of it has to do with balance, weight distribution and avoiding features I don’t want or need. iPads are the same way. Many will prefer the Air - even in a 12.9-inch size. One has to handle the devices and decide for one’s self. Comparing via spec sheet often doesn’t get one the results desired. Sometimes less is more.
I often use my iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, and MSO works fine for most things. Sure there are things you can’t do in iOS Excel, or advanced functions not in Word and PowerPoint, but for that I have my laptop. For quick day-to-day activities iOS MSO is fine.
12.9 hardly fits the "air" name. they need to discontinue all "air" products. nothing is thin and lights and special anymore to deserve that name
People are overthinking it...it's simple. There are people that are NOT power users, but want the biggest screen to read magazines, books and watch movies. Up to now the buy in for that has been $1500-2500...for a web device. Now they have the option to get the nice big screen without the need for all that extra processing power.
What’s more interesting to me is that there is no chatter on stuff like whether the camera will move to landscape mode. I assume it will, but I would have guessed that would leak by now
At least 128 GB for the minimum storage types. This couldn’t come at a better time when they release I really need a new iPad.
Assuming one doesn't need a touch screen or Pencil, they're better off getting the base 13" M2 MBA for those use cases.