Alleged 10.8-Inch iPad Design Schematics Emerge

[smulji]

ut at least App developers can be persuaded to move more and more of their Macs apps to the iPad.

With Apple's current developer tools, it is much easier to move iPad apps to the Mac than vice versa.

 

[Expos of 1969]

I don't care how much it costs I'll be swiping my company CC for the LTE model the day this is announced.

 

[jbared]

it's also possible that the new 'iPad' is actually the 'iPad air' replacement. And a new 'iPad SE' or 'iPad U' or 'classroom iPad' would slide in as the entry level iPad.

 

[James Godfrey]

Looks as though the headphone jack is getting dropped this time round...

 

[EvilEvil]

Too many SKUs! Apple should just go back to releasing one iPhone and one iPad each year.

 

[joeblow7777]

FaceID, USB-C, dual speakers...

There is absolutely no chance that this design is for the “budget” iPad.

 

[ksec]

It seems the Camera Lens still sticks out.

I was hoping the previous rumours was true where the entry level products doesn't get the large camera bump we are used to now. Especially on iPad where not everyone uses the camera.

 

[1rottenapple]

hmmm this is a great alternative to some interested in the iPad Pro 11 but can't justify the cost. I have the 11 so this is a no go for me, but I love the Touch ID on the side and getting rid of the home button.

 

[Robin Bonathan]

I would like to see an iPad mini with face ID.

 

[simonmet]

Considering the iPad is primarily a consumption and entertainment device, particularly for watching movies and playing games, it’s ridiculous that Apple withholds the 4-speaker array from the non-Pro models. Because apparently you have to be a Pro to watch movies and play games with a decent stereo experience.

An example of greedy marketing decisions that make no sense other than to the bean-counters.

 

[one more]

The $329 entry-level iPad is Apple's best-selling model so I don't see that model going away.

Then they might upgrade its specs at the same time, I guess.

 

[Neepman]

Apple 1997 : Think Different

Apple 2020 : Obnoxiously Big

 

[macduke]

Never thought Apple would have such a fragmented lineup for one product category. 7.9", 8.5"-9" (rumored Mini redesign), 9.7", 10.2", 10.5", 10.8", 11", and 12.9". Why not just make it 11"? Makes me think they're reducing the bezels on the Pro models further and it will be 11.5" or something for the new version of the 11" model, and maybe 13.4" or something for the new 12.9" model.

 

[PickUrPoison]

In theory this would replace the 10.5. The 9.7 form factor is also dead

It would be 10.2 (like iphone SE/budget), 10.8 Air (like XR/11), 11 Pro (Pro) and 12.9 Pro (Pro Max)

There are ample people who want an appox 11 inch display device but not for $799; but also not the budget $329 one with Touch ID and thick bezels

This Air/10.8 would replace the Air in that middle ground. Closer to a Pro look/features without the Pro pricepoint. Think iPhone XR/11; no touch ID and thick 2010 bezels budge device, but not Pro specs either. Presumably at the $499-550 price point.

It will sell a ton in that middle ground.

Yeah, definitely an Air. Low end makes no sense, it just went from 9.7—>10.2

The 10-11” is definitely the sweet spot, it’s probably 80+% of Apple’s iPad sales. Sure the mini sells maybe 10% and the 12.9” even fewer, but 10-11” is where all the action is. Hence, 3 models.

$300 10.2 Basic: Education/Budget
$500 10.8 Air: mid-market
$800 11.0 Pro: Top of the line

The way you’ve analogized them to the iPhone line is accurate and rather insightful. Nice! Like the iPhone, most will buy by price, not particularly by features.

 

[currentinterest]

If additional RAM does not require a separate registration number, then we might see something like this.

iPad 10.2 inch A12 WiFi 64GB $329
iPad 10.2 inch A12 WiFi + LTE 64GB $429 (Lighting Connectors)

iPad Mini 7.9 inch A13 Wifi A13 64 GB $399
iPad Mini 7.9 inch A13 Wifi + LTE A13 64 GB $549 (Lighting Connectors)

iPad Air 10.8 inch A13 WiFi 64GB $499
iPad Air 10.8 inch A13 Wifi + LTE 64 GB $649
iPad Air 10.8 inch A13 Wifi + 5G 64 GB $699 (USB-C Connectors)

Likely all wrong, but fun to speculate.

 

[macuser284]

Nope, not an issue at all.
Case manufacturers simply need to have a hole on the power button part.

That’s good. My experience with “button cut-out” cases has usually been poorer than “buttons on-case”, but that’s just my experience. A number of the more popular iPad case options from Logitech and others avoid cut-outs, so it looks like they’ll need to redesign for this line.

 

[Jason111001]

We’re now in the next phase of Apple where they make their devices slightly different so case & accessory companies can make more money. There’s not much of a point of this than increase sales and decrease case reusability and compatibility. This only increases waste and hurt the environment in my opinion.

 isn't forcing anyone to buy or upgrade their iPad every year or making anyone buy a new case. They are simply making a product better with the hopes of keeping their customers happy, hopes of gaining new customers, and yes (you'll be shocked to learn this) make money.

 

[MTD's Mac]

My guess is that this is the new Air. 10.2 entry level can remain, mini can languish or be discontinued to make room for the biggest iPhones ever.

iPad Pro is like a separate product category at this point in terms of price and power.

 

[amartinez1660]

There’s a typo there at the end, something Jon and Prosser or a combination there of.

That typo has appeared lately quite often 😛

 

[potatoman93]

We’re now in the next phase of Apple where they make their devices slightly different so case & accessory companies can make more money. There’s not much of a point of this than increase sales and decrease case reusability and compatibility. This only increases waste and hurt the environment in my opinion.

Or the opposite? I feel like this 10.8" model is the new iPad Air, and it will probably share the same dimensions as the existing 11" Pro, but with a slightly smaller screen and thicker bezels (kind of like the XR's bezels compared to the X). This will allow them to sell 1 size of the magic keyboard case that works with both models.

It would make absolutely NO sense for Apple to put RND into creating a new case that is ever so slightly smaller.

My guess is this is the new iPad Air, same dimensions and rear camera as the original 11" Pro, but with a 60Hz 10.8" screen, dual speakers, and Touch ID on the power button. I know it won't happen, but if it just had the 1 front facing camera I'd love to see a white bezel on the silver model. Something fresh and different for the cheaper model (less sleek and pro looking).

 

[cycomiko]

I really don’t understand why Apple keeps pushing iPads up on the price ladder.

2trillion dollar company is the outcome, profit is the goal.

 

[slimejester]

Had to grab a 7th gen iPad for my daughter for remote learning, knowing hardware updates are right around the corner. It arrived 2 days ago.

Odds of an exchange when new one comes out? None? Drat.

You can definitely return it when the new one comes out. Aren’t they saying September 7th?

 

[0128672]

Had to grab a 7th gen iPad for my daughter for remote learning, knowing hardware updates are right around the corner. It arrived 2 days ago.

Odds of an exchange when new one comes out? None? Drat.

You can return it if it's within the 14 days of the purchase date. A new model being released isn't a factor in the return policy.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Really? LOL 🤔

How about 💰💰💰💲💲💲 The arent $2T for no reason. Its all about those profits; that is new Apple

Yes parts are more expensive now, but not proportionally to price increase

You’re misinformed. Any increases in prices overall are entirely due to increases in Apple’s costs. Their profit margins have basically been flat or decreasing since Tim Cook took over:

Apple Profit Margin 2010-2025 | AAPL

Current and historical gross margin, operating margin and net profit margin for Apple (AAPL) over the last 10 years. Profit margin can be defined as the percentage of revenue that a company retains as income after the deduction of expenses. Apple net profit margin as of March 31, 2025 is...

www.macrotrends.net

 

[dwaltwhit]

I honestly can no longer keep track of the differences between the three ipad lines.

I think it would help me if they would round the display measurements. Just call this 11”. I also think it should just be the air and the pro or just ipad and ipad pro