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Apple is working on two new versions of the iPad Air 6, according to a report from 9to5Mac. The site claims that Apple has four separate models in the works (two each in cellular and Wi-Fi), though it is not clear what the differentiating factor would be if there are indeed two separate iPad Air models coming.

ipad-air-cyber.jpg

Apple makes two versions of the iPad Pro because it comes in two sizes, and 9to5Mac speculates that Apple could release a larger version of the iPad Air to go along with the current 10.9-inch version, or debut "a more expensive model with better specs."

Given that the iPad lineup already features two sizes of the iPad Pro, a low-cost iPad, and the iPad mini, a larger or higher-end iPad Air may not make a lot of sense. 9to5Mac warns that Apple's plans could change and that a second iPad Air model might not appear.

Prior rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a seventh-generation iPad mini and an 11th-generation low-cost iPad, with neither tablet expected to feature major changes. 9to5Mac says that its sources believe the iPad mini 7 is coming "soon," but the report also says that all of the new iPads are on track to be announced "between now and WWDC 2024 in June," which is a wide window.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in September that Apple is not likely to introduce new iPads in 2023, and that iPad mini and iPad Air models will instead come in 2024. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said in September that Apple is working on a new iPad Air and that it could be "coming soonish," so it continues to be unclear if we'll see an iPad of some kind before the end of the year.

Apple has not refreshed the iPad Air since March of 2022, so it has been over a year since the last update. The current model includes the M1 chip, and Apple could wait for the debut of the M3 chip for an update, so iPad Air launch timing could be tied to M3 launch timing.

As for the iPad mini, it has not been refreshed since September 2021, though it is not a tablet that Apple updates regularly.

Article Link: Apple Allegedly Working on Two New iPad Air Models
 
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snipr125

macrumors 68000
Oct 17, 2015
1,999
3,107
UK
A larger iPad Air kind of makes sense when you look at the iPhone and MB Air.

iPhone Plus and 15 MB" Air for those that want the larger screen but dont want to pay the the premium for the Pro Max or 16" MB Pro.

A larger iPad Air for those that want a larger screen iPad Air, and dont want to pay the premium for the iPP 12.9.
 

FightTheFuture

macrumors 68000
Oct 19, 2003
1,887
3,048
that town east of ann arbor
A larger iPad Air kind of makes sense when you look at the iPhone and MB Air.

iPhone Plus and 15 MB" Air for those that want the larger screen but dont want to pay the the premium for the Pro Max or 16" MB Pro.

A larger iPad Air for those that want a larger screen iPad Air, and dont want to pay the premium for the iPP 12.9.
Most folks really don’t need more than an iPad Air. Or a base 10-inch iPad for that matter.
 

ItsASpider

macrumors regular
Apr 20, 2021
130
958
Wouldn't be surprised to see the iPad mini line return to the "small and cheap" state it was in prior to the mini 6 and see the Air appear in an 8 and 10 inch variant instead, with the 8 inch variant taking the place of the current iPad mini in the line-up.
 

tweaknmod

macrumors 6502a
Feb 13, 2012
525
1,792
Ottawa, Ontario
Apple's product range gets more confused.

Steve Jobs definitely had the product range idea right: Keep it simple, don't have excess number of product variations.
Gonna respectfully disagree with you there.

I can't see how more options is a bad thing. If people are confused, there are sales people, youtubers, and millions of forum nerds like us to help them figure out the best option for their needs.
 

darkus

macrumors 6502
Nov 5, 2007
383
153
The problem with the current Air is that there's not much Air about it. Traditionally, an Air (whether an Macbook or iPad) is supposed to be thinner and lighter then the rest of the range. If that comes at the cost of CPU power, ram, camera, then so be it.

I'm hoping Apple would take the Air back to being an Air. It should be thinner and appreciably lighter then the Pro and standard iPad. Right now its way to similar to a Pro in terms of size/weight

How that would translate to two models, I have no idea, maybe they are just referring to a 64GB and 256GB version. But hopefully Apple would realize that its not really an Air as it stands
 

tweaknmod

macrumors 6502a
Feb 13, 2012
525
1,792
Ottawa, Ontario
Just fix the scrolling issue that the current mini has and the next one will be a slam dunk
I would already have one if it wasn't for that. The iPad Air that I am typing this on as it also but nowhere near as bad as the minis that I've tried in the store.
Like you said if they fix that, I will absolutely get one.
 
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phillypharm

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2012
257
434
Wonder if the iPad mini becomes the 8.3” air.

2 pro sizes, 2 air sizes.
Oh I’d be down for this. My 2019 air is the worst iPad I’ve owned. I’ve been tempted to get a mini, but want the M-chip goodness. Hopefully it can do stage manager and I’m in.
 

Lakersfan74

Suspended
Oct 17, 2019
900
1,124
It’s good to have options and for every budget. Nothing confusing like some people say. Just select the top model that fits your budget. See how easy that is? How about a iPad Ultra model?
 
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trusso

macrumors 6502a
Oct 4, 2003
856
2,570
I bought the original iPad second-hand, which was phenomenal for its time. A few years later I moved on to the iPad mini 1, and then the iPad mini 4, because I liked the smaller form factor. Last year I decided to take a chance on the iPad Air, but I returned it within the week and bought the iPad mini 6 instead. There's nothing wrong with the iPad Air, but for me (and probably many others) it's just too large. I use my iPad mini for reading and occasionally watching videos or playing games. It feels great in the hand, in a way the iPad Air simply didn't - I realized I was using the iPad Air less because of its size.

All this is to say: there's a big market for the iPad mini. The entire iPad lineup is mature, so I see no problems with minimal or zero design changes. Just keep supporting them, Apple, and don't treat the iPad mini as a second-class citizen - after all, you charge a premium for the smaller form-factor anyway.
 

Blackstick

macrumors 65816
Aug 11, 2014
1,342
6,377
OH
Steve Jobs definitely had the product range idea right: Keep it simple, don't have excess number of product variations.
Keep in mind, Steve's famous "4 quadrant" of consumer/professional desktop/notebook was when Apple had a $1.8 billion market cap at the end of 1997.

The same simple product strategy can't apply for a company that's worth $3 trillion, 25 years later.

I spent 7 years working in an Apple Store (07-14) and routinely visit these days. People aren't confused. There's so much guidance and advice today... it's a moot point.
 
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