Apple to Launch New Low-Cost iPad in Second Half of 2024

[MacRumors]

Apple will release a new entry-level iPad in the second half of next year, according to a Taiwanese report on Apple's product development resource allocation plans.

Nikkei Asia reports that Apple is working with China's BYD, a key iPad assembler, to move new product introduction (NPI) resources to Vietnam. NPI refers to when Apple works with suppliers on the design and development of new products to ensure they can be made properly in a new manufacturing plant. Apple has not moved NPI resources to Vietnam for such a core device before.

Engineering verification for test production of the new iPad model will start around mid-February next year, according to the report's sources. The entry-level model, likely to be an 11th-generation iPad, will then become available in the second half of 2024.

Starting at $449, the "iPad" is Apple's low-priced mainstream iPad, last updated in October 2022 with a complete redesign, larger display, USB-C port, A14 Bionic chip, 12-megapixel camera, and more.

Apple was thought to be working on a new version of the low-cost iPad, and the 11th-generation model is expected in 2024, but a more specific timeframe for its launch has not been rumored. There are no rumors about new features coming in the 11th generation model, but it is likely to get an updated processor and possibly camera upgrades.

Apple's relocated iPad production to Vietnam follows a trend of Apple diversifying its supply chain and reducing its reliance on China as a major production hub with decades of experience in hardware manufacturing. Apple is also sending some NPI resources for the iPhone to India.

Article Link: Apple to Launch New Low-Cost iPad in Second Half of 2024

 

[6787872]

with 128MB of storage and 16MB of ram

 

[Denzo]

Don't they already have an average CPU, LCD model? What are we doing now, Apple.

 

[Macalicious2011]

with 128MB of storage and 16MB of ram

Yup. There's going to be a big catch! Consumers will be better of buying a used iPad Air or Pro that's 2-3 years old.

 

[TechRunner]

Wouldn't the 11 be an updated 10? That render appears to be way off, unless it's just a stock photo and not intended to be a render of the actual design, in which case they should have used a photo of the 10th gen.

 

[gpat]

with 128MB of storage and 16MB of ram

Makes sense. There will be lots of fanboys defending this choice because "it would be wasteful to give more to users that wouldn't use them anyway"

 

[lenningj]

Price back down to just above $300? Guess they might use the M1 for this (fingers crossed)

 

[kerr]

Amazing prediction

 

[JustAnExpat]

Nikkei Asia reports that Apple is working with China's BYD, a key iPad assembler,

BYD? Build Your Dreams (https://www.byd.com/us)? Isn't that an electric car company? Did BYD branch out into assembling iPads for Apple now? 🤔

 

[lenningj]

BYD? Build Your Dreams (https://www.byd.com/us)? Isn't that an electric car company? Did BYD branch out into assembling iPads for Apple now? 🤔

hope not, don't want the next iPad to catch fire

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

iPad lineup.

Kill lower cost iPads 9 and 10; drop "Air" branding on "iPad Air"; give iPad Pro some more ports, such as MagSafe, HDMI and SD Card Card; give iPad Pro a pro chip to distinguish it further; make all three iPads (mini, iPad and Pro) work with Apple Pencil 2 or later; kill Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil USB-C; keep iPad 9 around for bulk-order education purchase, updating its processor triennially; rename it Education iPad. You're welcome.

And take a flamethrower to iPhone line.

iPhone SE: budget single camera aluminium iPhone in two screen sizes and black and white shades. iPhone: premium tri-camera aluminium iPhone in four sizes. Drop "pro" branding and numbering. Update both biennially—new premium colours in the gap year. Kill every other iPhone.

Mac laptops.

MacBook Air: return to wedge shape; two sizes: 12.9" ultrabook size and 14.2" regular sizes; SD Card and HDMI for versatility; one Thunderbolt 4 port. MacBook Pro: thicker relative wedge shape: improved ergonomics and easier to pick up: 14.2" regular sizes; 16.2" big size; pro screens and pro chips; three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

 

[AlmightyKang]

Makes sense. There will be lots of fanboys defending this choice because "it would be wasteful to give more to users that wouldn't use them anyway"

Nah that's not going to happen.

These will be bought by the thousand by corporates looking to cut the bottom line. The IT director will get a huge bonus for cost savings and the end users will have to put up with the cost cutting.

 

[doobydoooby]

I hope it will come with the possibility to use an old apple pencil with a courageous proprietary $80 connection solution. That would be awesome.

 

[Toutou]

Don't they already have an average CPU, LCD model? What are we doing now, Apple.

Umm, updating that exact model, which will be 2 years old at that time?

 

[snipr125]

Price back down to just above $300? Guess they might use the M1 for this (fingers crossed)

I reckon the price will stay the same, but using M1 in the ipad 11 you might be on to something there.

IPP - latest M3 chip
Ipad Air - previous gen M2chip
Base Ipad - 2 generations old M1 chip
Ipad Mini - current A chip e.g. A17 Pro which has more overall performance than M1

This would work for me

 

[Adamj53]

iPad SE, iPad and iPad Pro.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Wouldn't the 11 be an updated 10? That render appears to be way off, unless it's just a stock photo and not intended to be a render of the actual design, in which case they should have used a photo of the 10th gen.

Yeah. I think MacRumors mistunderstood this rumor:

iPad 10th Generation is the "entry-level iPad" for the foreseeable future, the third and lowest step on the three tiered value ladder of the iPad line-up.

What I expect is iPad 11th Gen. to be a simple spec bump to iPad 10th Gen., but same USB-C 2.0 and no Pencil 2nd Gen support.

iPad 11th Generation will launch in Q1-Q2 2024 and it will cut iPad 10 from the current iPad lineup while iPad 9th Gen gets to stay in the lineup, maybe get a tiny price cut in the process.

Keeping iPad 9th Gen a little while longer serves to skew the perception of iPad 11, making it look like a big upgrade even though it's still really bad value compared to iPad Air 4th Gen.

iPad 9th Gen will get cut when the EU legislation kicks in, bringing the line-up back to three tiers: low-end, mid-tier (+ mini), and high-end.

 

[swiftapplefan]

So is this an iPad SE alongside the iPad 11 or just the iPad 11?

 

[Shirasaki]

Only thing I know will definitely happen is, Apple fanboys will vehemently defend Apple and its decision on this on every move.

Aside from that, how cheaper can iPad be really… maybe with a weird feature set nobody is asking and only forced upon those who wants brand new but can’t afford iPad Air.

 

[Wizard_of_Woz]

I remember not long ago when the low cost iPad was the iPad. Classic Cook.

 

[nfl46]

with 128MB of storage and 16MB of ram

And a touch id. Lol. I swear it's time to let that button go.

 

[lenningj]

Will the home button remain though???

 

[taliz]

The iPad 10 was super disappointing IMO.
Much more expensive than the 9 and less usable. Sharp corners making it uncomfortable to hold.
IIRC the glass can't be replaced without replacing the whole LCD either, which you can on the 9(and I've done myself for $15).

Hoping the 11 will be more affordable and usable again, or I'm Keeping my 9.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

How about a low-cost iPad mini without the camera wart on the back?

 

[gpat]

iPad lineup.

Kill lower cost iPads 9 and 10; drop "Air" branding on "iPad Air"; give iPad Pro some more ports, such as MagSafe, HDMI and SD Card Card; give iPad Pro a pro chip to distinguish it further; make all three iPads (mini, iPad and Pro) work with Apple Pencil 2 or later; kill Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil USB-C; keep iPad 9 around for bulk-order education purchase, updating its processor triennially; rename it Education iPad. You're welcome.

And take a flamethrower to iPhone line.

iPhone SE: budget single camera aluminium iPhone in two screen sizes and black and white shades. iPhone: premium tri-camera aluminium iPhone in four sizes. Drop "pro" branding and numbering. Update both biennially—new premium colours in the gap year. Kill every other iPhone.

Mac laptops.

MacBook Air: return to wedge shape; two sizes: 12.9" ultrabook size and 14.2" regular sizes; SD Card and HDMI for versatility; one Thunderbolt 4 port. MacBook Pro: thicker relative wedge shape: improved ergonomics and easier to pick up: 14.2" regular sizes; 16.2" big size; pro screens and pro chips; three Thunderbolt 4 ports.

After reading this post, I like Tim Cook way more than I did before.