do you think the entry level iPad will take the current Air's form factor? Even though the 7th generation iPad comes with a screen size increase over previous generations, most would agree it has changed very little since its introduction. I for one could not buy the current iPad due to the screen not being laminated. It would seem that the current Air's form factor for the regular iPad would be a good compromise between not giving customers the newest iPad design but getting the most out of the legacy design. All the other iPads would then have transitioned to the all-screen design. I don't know, it's just a thought I had after hearing all the 2020 iPad Air rumors.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad If The 2020 iPad Air Takes The 11" Pro Form Factor, Then...
- Thread starter bballers29
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I could see the screen size increasing to 10.5” (keeping the same form factor), but it will probably still not be laminated to keep manufacturing costs down.
Really not seeing this coming down the pipe anytime soon. The entry level iPad will be as much an incentive to get the other higher up ones as possible.
The white spot issue of the old 10.5 Pro and Air 3 will hopefully come to an end with these models.
The white spot issue of the old 10.5 Pro and Air 3 will hopefully come to an end with these models.
The current entry level iPad is excellent. While 10.5" screen is nicer, it's mainly because of the other features (like lamination as you said), and not the screen size so much. The 10.2 iPad's Smart Connector along with its form factor allows for full-size keyboard support, and the 3 GB RAM is a big advantage over the previous models. The lack of screen lamination is a deterrent for some, but honestly IMO it's non-issue for most of the population, partially just because they don't know any better.
While I do think the entry level iPad will see an update next year, I'm not convinced it will go to 10.5", even if the iPad Air 4 gets Face ID. While the iPad 8 could go to 10.5", I don't think it's critical, as it's not a significant advantage and Apple wouldn't make it laminated anyway. I wouldn't be surprised to see it keep the same (cheaper) 10.2" non-laminated screen but get updated with A12.
For the record, I have the iPad Pro 10.5" and my wife has the iPad 10.2".
iPad 7 10.2" + iPad Pro 10.5" with Apple Smart Keyboards side by side (Pic!)
Can you tell which is which? You can tell just from the pic, but even side-by-side they look awfully similar. One is an iPad 10.2" LTE model with 128 GB, and the other is an iPad Pro 10.5" WiFi model with 64 GB. Weight and size: I don't know if the actually notice a weight difference, but the...
forums.macrumors.com
Last edited:
Rumor just dropped of a 10.8" iPad, but I feel like that may be the next iPad Air, which could make sense if it is getting the 11" Pro form factor but with slightly larger bezels (and some other downgrades of compared to the 11" Pro of course).
I gotta say that since this rumor dropped alongside an 8.5-9” iPad mini model, that they might do well to simplify again.
- iPad 8 at 10.8” with the current pro form factor, FaceID, non-laminated screen, no pro motion or true tone, A13 processor, Apple Pencil 2 support, Lidar rear camera.
- iPad mini 6 at 9” with current Pro form factor, premium screen (maybe even mini LED with pro-motion & true tone), smart connector with a smart keyboard folio accessory (due to the screen size increase crossing a usability threshold), Apple Pencil 2 support, A14 processor, Lidar rear camera.
- 11” and 12.9” Pro models with A14X, mini LED, Magic Keyboard compatibility.
- iPad Air dropped.
Fun to speculate!
Last edited:
I wonder if they will rename the mini to iPad Air 9" this time, apparently they considered it last time. That sort of simplifies things as you have iPad, Air in two sizes, Pro in two sizes. Other than that if the Air does get the Pro design (but no ProMotion, quad speakers, etc) that's another differentiation between it and the base iPad.