Current 11-Inch iPad Pro Now Been Available Longer Than Any Previous Model

[MacRumors]

The 2021 11-inch iPad Pro has today become the longest-lasting model of its kind ever on sale, as indications mount that Apple is planning to replace the device with a new model as soon as next month.

In April 2021, Apple introduced new 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro models featuring the M1 chip, a Thunderbolt port, 5G connectivity, Center Stage, and a mini-LED display for the larger model. They are still on sale and have now been available for over 18 months.

As of today, the 2021 11-inch iPad Pro is now 513 days old, making it one day older than the previous longest-reigning smaller iPad Pro model, 2016's 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The 2021 12.9-inch model remains 59 days younger than the first-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro from 2015. This is because the first-generation iPad Pro debuted with a 12.9-inch model only in November 2015, before being joined by a 9.7-inch model just four months later.

The tenure of the 2021 iPad Pros is notable because customers have not been used to such a long wait for new models since the launch of the original version almost seven years ago, and could suggest that the next update will be substantial.

New iPad Pro models are expected to be announced at an Apple event as soon as next month. Several major retailers, including Optus and Logitech, have been spotted preparing for the launch of new iPad Pro models. The next-generation iPad Pro models are expected to feature the M2 chip, MagSafe wireless charging, two new four-pin connectors on the top and bottom side edges, and camera upgrades.

Article Link: Current 11-Inch iPad Pro Now Been Available Longer Than Any Previous Model

 

[Rooster 🐓]

I’m really holding out for the new iPad Pros to replace my aged but still fully working OG iPad Air. Really hoping for an 11” mini LED pro. However, naysayers say nay. We shall see!

 

[slplss]

I can’t think of any upgrade that would make me switch from M1 12.9" to next gen in the upcoming years. Hardware wise it’s perfect in every way, the XDR display, the four speakers and M1 that simply will be as good for everything in 5 years as it is now. It’s only iPadOS that is lagging behind the development, far from macOS that is today.

 

[slplss]

I’m really holding out for the new iPad Pros to replace my aged but still fully working OG iPad Air. Really hoping for an 11” mini LED pro. However, naysayers say nay. We shall see!

iPad 2, ("the new") iPad 3 and iPad mini 2 are all still working for me. They are all as fast (slow) as they were in their day. My god, the iPad 3 was so noticeably slow (and heavy) back then I often switched back to iPad 2 even though it had lower res display. Five years, ten years, the battery will need to get replaced but I don’t think any time will matter for M1. Maybe I am too optimistic, we’ll see.

 

[UltimateSyn]

One heck of a device, honestly. Hope it gets mini-LED soon without a significant weight increase.

 

[prism]

I'm sticking to my current 11" m1, especially if they update with mini LED because that would mean a PWM screen and even though I don't suffer from its effects, I prefer to use a device that doesn't flicker given the long hours I spend on it!

 

[GuruZac]

The problem is other than slimmer bezels and landscape camera placement, there’s nothing substantial needed with the iPad Pros. Not even design other than noted above. The very last thing people want in an iPad Pro is better hardware. It’s the software that’s been slow to get along.

 

[ralph_sws]

new generations of M processors will not be shown every 12 months, I think apple will extend it to 15-20 months and thus the premiere of new devices based on these processors

 

[goobot]

My 2018 has been coasting along well for a good while now

 

[HoneyRyder]

Better is the enemy of good.

 

[GuruZac]

My 2018 has been costing along well for a good while now

The 2018 iPad Pro still chews through everything on iPadOS for the most part. Amazing iPad still.

 

[TechRunner]

Hoping to replace my 7th gen iPad after the holidays, unless there's some kind of ridiculous sale before Christmas. Looking forward to seeing what the new Pros bring to the table.

 

[Codestud]

I sold on my old iPad Air 2 recently which I had been using for many years. Been tempted by the M1 iPad Air but I'm holding out!

 

[MacRazySwe]

2018 iPP still crushing it. Looking forward to some proper new innovation this year.

 

[Abazigal]

2018 iPP still crushing it. Looking forward to some proper new innovation this year.

Same. 4 years and still going strong. Not sure what the next iPad Pro has to have for me to upgrade. I am not a fan of macOS on the ipad, and stage manager is reportedly still nowhere ready for prime time.

 

[xObeyThePanda]

2018 iPP still crushing it. Looking forward to some proper new innovation this year.

I’d argue it’s been the most future-proof iPad. I have the 11 inch. The only thing I would consider upgrade for is mini-led.

 

[Jim Lahey]

2018 Pro is all most people need from the 11”. I think the majority are in a holding pattern with that device and won’t upgrade until there’s a fundamental change in either the form factor or the display.

 

[C_Topher]

Coming from 2016 9.6 inch iPadPro really excited about an upgrade to 12 inch display and much faster processing. Regarding MagSafe, might be useful for gaming so there is not a charging cable to maneuver around while working the virtual joysticks, but that is about the only use I can see. Might be for reverse charging a phone? but not gonna want to rest the iPad on the screen to charge something.

 

[GuruZac]

2018 iPP still crushing it. Looking forward to some proper new innovation this year.

Ha ing owned the 2018 12.9 and now the 2021 M1 12.9, the differences in day to day are indeed trivial, other than a much better display for movies on the 2021. That is a testament of the 2018 and the fact iPadOS is only now becoming more hardware intensive.

 

[DMG35]

I'm kind of over the iPad at this point. Its great for what it is, but another same design with the same camera setup is a total pass for me. Apple touting the M2 as "x" amount faster than the M1 isn't going to cut it. The M1 iPad is blazing fast as is.

Apple needs to move the camera to the landscape position, or have cameras at both positions. And iPadOS 16 is barely an upgrade over OS 15 imo.

There just isn't much excitement in this space anymore.

 

[Pressure]

I'm kind of over the iPad at this point. Its great for what it is, but another same design with the same camera setup is a total pass for me. Apple touting the M2 as "x" amount faster than the M1 isn't going to cut it. The M1 iPad is blazing fast as is.

Apple needs to move the camera to the landscape position, or have cameras at both positions. And iPadOS 16 is barely an upgrade over OS 15 imo.

There just isn't much excitement in this space anymore.

Imagine being able to log out of iPadOS and into macOS ... that would certainly cause excitement.

Or just the ability to have multiple users ...

The M1, and by extension M2, are just a major waste in a tablet form factor. Except it helps to keep the margins up and price down for Apple, so they can leverage the same SoC in multiple product categories.

 

[MacBird]

My 2018 has been coasting along well for a good while now

Even my 2017 iPad Pro is running great, shorter battery life is the only noticeable difference.

 

[MacBird]

I'm kind of over the iPad at this point. Its great for what it is, but another same design with the same camera setup is a total pass for me. Apple touting the M2 as "x" amount faster than the M1 isn't going to cut it. The M1 iPad is blazing fast as is.

Apple needs to move the camera to the landscape position, or have cameras at both positions. And iPadOS 16 is barely an upgrade over OS 15 imo.

There just isn't much excitement in this space anymore.

The technology is pretty mature by now, the same could be said about iPhone.

 

[GuruZac]

I'm kind of over the iPad at this point. Its great for what it is, but another same design with the same camera setup is a total pass for me. Apple touting the M2 as "x" amount faster than the M1 isn't going to cut it. The M1 iPad is blazing fast as is.

Apple needs to move the camera to the landscape position, or have cameras at both positions. And iPadOS 16 is barely an upgrade over OS 15 imo.

There just isn't much excitement in this space anymore.

Agreed. My iPad Pro has been relegated to an entertainment device with some usage when I’m in clinic. When it’s time to replace my M1 12.9, it’ll be replaced with an iPad Air/Magic Keyboard.

 

[profets]

One heck of a device, honestly. Hope it gets mini-LED soon without a significant weight increase.

Yeah, honestly I think it’s the ideal, near perfect iPad / tablet (and I’m a 12.9” user).