Here's What the iPad Lineup Could Look Like in 2024

[MacRumors]

With no new iPad models launched this year, Apple ostensibly has some significant changes in store for its tablet lineup and accessories in 2024.

Apple's entire iPad lineup as of December 2023.​

The entry-level iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro models are all reportedly due a hardware update in 2024. Here's how the lineup of 2024 could compare to today based on rumors:

2023	2024
iPad (10.2-inch, A13 Bionic, 9th generation)
iPad (10.9-inch, A14 Bionic, 10th generation)	iPad (10.9-inch, A15 Bionic, 11th generation)
iPad mini (8.3-inch, A15 Bionic, 6th generation)	iPad mini (8.3-inch, A16 Bionic, 7th generation)
iPad Air (10.9-inch, M1, 5th generation)	iPad Air (10.9-inch, M2, 6th generation)
	iPad Air (12.9-inch, M2)
iPad Pro (11-inch, M2, 6th generation)	iPad Pro (11.1-inch, M3, 7th generation)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, M2, 6th generation)	iPad Pro (13-inch, M3, 7th generation)

Apple is also reportedly working on a new Apple Pencil and a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory for the iPad Pro with an aluminum top case and a larger trackpad. The iPad accessory lineup could look as follows by the end of next year:

2023	2024
Apple Pencil (1st generation)
Apple Pencil (2nd generation)	Apple Pencil (3rd generation)
Apple Pencil (USB-C)	Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Magic Keyboard Folio for entry-level iPad	Magic Keyboard Folio for entry-level iPad
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Pro	Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Pro
	High-end Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that Apple is seeking to reduce confusion between the iPad Air and iPad Pro next year by introducing OLED displays, an updated design, the M3 chip, and a revamped Magic Keyboard accessory on the high-end models. This "will make it unmistakably the highest-end model," Gurman says.

He also highlighted that the iPad Air and iPad Pro will feature slightly different display sizes, just like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, where the high-end models have larger screens. The ninth-generation iPad will reportedly be discontinued upon the release of the 11th-generation version, allowing the company to ultimately phase out the first-generation Apple Pencil.

Apple also plans to use the Magic Keyboard as a differentiator for the iPad Pro in 2024. The redesigned version of the accessory will not be compatible with the iPad Air, being exclusive to the iPad Pro. The 10.9- and 12.9-inch iPad Air models will only be able to use the current Magic Keyboard accessories.

Gurman said that the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models are due to launch around March 2024, with the updated entry-level iPad and iPad mini set to arrive later in the year.

Article Link: Here's What the iPad Lineup Could Look Like in 2024

 

[everlast3434]

What a mess the iPad is.

 

[Coreymac84]

What a mess the iPad is.

It's pretty ridiculous at this point, given they all inherently do the same thing.

 

[MacFan782040]

And in case you weren't confused enough

 

[Nimrad]

I wanna see an Apple executive explain the different use cases for each model.

 

[Coreymac84]

I wanna see an Apple executive explain the different use cases for each model.

This one is for Pro's who want to do heavier mobile app work in a far more inefficient way than a MacBook Air
This one is for people who like something super portable for YouTube, candy crush, web browsing
This one is for people who like something that is cheaper and won't care if their child throws it across the room
This one is for people who want something larger for YouTube, Candy Crush, Web Browsing

The iPad is my most disliked Apple device by a long shot and I have owned 3 of them hoping the software would improve to a point that would make it an exciting product. iPhone's are about to get even larger... the use case is getting smaller.

 

[fwmireault]

You'd think they wouldn't release any iPad in 2023 to try and clean up the line up. Yet it seems that the line up will be more inconsistent and confusing than ever.

 

[MrWayne]

I wanna see an Apple executive explain the different use cases for each model.

I’m afraid we will see the same problem with the Vision Pro. It will only run iPad apps

 

[supergt]

It's pretty ridiculous at this point, given they all inherently do the same thing.

Exactly this. The best iPad is the cheapest iPad, full stop. You get 90ish percent of the iPad Pro experience for a fraction of the price.

 

[dannyyankou]

Once we get a 13 inch iPad Air, people will have no reason to get the pro anymore. Unless you reallyyyyy want that promotion display. But I have a feeling the next iPad Air will get 90hz if the iPhone rumors are correct.

 

[spinedoc77]

They need to consolidate the iPad and iPad Air lines into one. iPad, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini and that's it. Their entry level cheapie model should just be last year's model.

 

[dsusanj]

2023	2024
iPad Pro (11-inch, M2, 6th generation)	iPad Pro (11.1-inch, M3, 7th generation)
iPad Pro (12.9-inch, M2, 6th generation)	iPad Pro (13-inch, M3, 7th generation)

The current 11" iPad Pro with the M2 is the 4th gen.

 

[simtilver]

They should really get rid of the whole “Air” concept at this point. Back when the MacBook Air came out. We were all lugging MacBooks with CD drives, 6 USB ports, VGA ports, etc, and the Air was a massive change. That’s not the case anymore and essentially all of the devices are the same size…

Should be:

iPad (mini, 11”, 13”)
iPad Pro (11”, 13”)

MacBook (14”, 16”)
MacBook Pro (14”, 16”)

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple has become like a junkie that can't stop

They just constantly release more and more slightly different models and never consolidate and/or clean it up

What a mess

 

[turbineseaplane]

They should really get rid of the whole “Air” concept at this point. Back when the MacBook Air came out. We were all lugging MacBooks with CD drives, 6 USB ports, VGA ports, etc, and the Air was a massive change. That’s not the case anymore and essentially all of the devices are the same size…

Should be:

iPad (mini, 11”, 13”)
iPad Pro (11”, 13”)

MacBook (14”, 16”)
MacBook Pro (14”, 16”)

Only tweak I'd make is maybe stick with 13"/15" for MacBooks (since those are the Airs now)

 

[DaniTheFox]

I wish the iPad Pro will have a M3 Pro (we can dream, can‘t we?). And the iPad mini a A17 Pro as the ultimate gaming iPad.

 

[Coreymac84]

I wish the iPad Pro will have a M3 Pro (we can dream, can we). And the iPad mini a A17 Pro as the ultimate gaming iPad.

what are you doing with an M3 Pro iPad that you can't currently do?

 

[DaniTheFox]

Only tweak I'd make is maybe stick with 13"/15" for MacBooks (since those are the Airs now)

I hope for a 12“/14“ iPad Pro.

 

[GeoStructural]

The iPad is my most disliked Apple device by a long shot and I have owned 3 of them hoping the software would improve to a point that would make it an exciting product. iPhone's are about to get even larger... the use case is getting smaller.

I don't hate it but I certainly am not impressed with it. I purchased the larger Pro hoping for a light computing device to travel with, and it turned out to be a large iPod. It has gotten better over the years but it is still a severely limited use device that costs almost the same as my MacBook Pro and more than my PC.

 

[Mazda 3s]

Still seems ridiculously complicated. All they need is:

iPad Mini
iPad
iPad Pro

Simple, easy, effective.

 

[DaniTheFox]

what are you doing with an M3 Pro iPad that you can't currently do?

Two external monitors. As you can sea I am a iPadOS only user. And I have to sit alway a the desk were there is a 34“ monitor instead of two 24“.

 

[JCADX]

They should start by clearing up the accessories mess, because even as an informed consumer its sometimes difficult to know which keyboard goes with which iPad, imagine the general consumer. After this, they should simply try to mimic their Mac lineup: a base model and a pro model, and maybe a cheaper entry alternative.

 

[5786735]

Apple has become like a junkie that can't stop

They just constantly release more and more slightly different models and never consolidate and/or clean it up

What a mess

It's becoming reminiscent of the Sculley/Amelio days before Steve returned and famously streamlined the whole product line in one swoop.

Apple's a very different company in a very different situation today. That level of product line simplification isn't warranted. But they do need someone with some vision for cleaning it up and streamlining again. They are in the micro-market-segmentation phase of their existence. It's become all about price and profit optimization. Simplify and streamline. They are offering too many options right now. And not just with iPad.

 

[currentinterest]

The proposed line up makes perfect sense: two A series options, two M2 options, and two M3 options. People will simply choose the one that meets their use case at the price they can afford. I own the M2, 11 inch iPad Pro. I will not be upgrading as I will be purchasing the Apple Vision Pro.

 

[turbineseaplane]

But they do need someone with some vision for cleaning it up and streamlining again. They are in the micro-market-segmentation phase of their existence. It's become all about price and profit optimization. Simplify and streamline. They are offering too many options right now. And not just with iPad.

Totally agree

The product matrix is a confusing mess of slightly different sizes, features and technology generations. Even for an informed consumer, I find it very off putting when considering any purchases.

There are far too many options here.