Next-Generation iPad Air With Spec Bump Reportedly in Development

[MacRumors]

Apple is actively developing a sixth-generation iPad Air, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who briefly touched on the mid-range tablet in his latest Power On newsletter. However, it's unclear exactly when the next model will be released.

Gurman said the first Macs with the M3 chip could be announced as early as October, but he does not expect any major upgrades across the iPad lineup this year. Given a spec-bumped iPad Air would likely not be considered a major upgrade, it's unclear if the device will be updated later this year or at some point in 2024.

"For those wondering about the iPad — another product that typically gets refreshed in October — I wouldn't expect any major upgrades until the M3 iPad Pros with OLED screens arrive next year," wrote Gurman. He added that "an iPad Air model that boosts its specifications is also in development," but did not provide any further details.

Apple last updated the iPad Air in March 2022 with the M1 chip, an upgraded 12-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support, a faster USB-C port, 5G support for cellular models, and new color options. Pricing starts at $599 in the U.S. for 64GB of storage.

It's unclear what new features the next iPad Air will offer, but possibilities include the M2 chip, a Thunderbolt port like the iPad Pro, a horizontally-oriented front-facing camera like on the 10th-generation iPad, and new color options. Read our iPad Air roundup linked below for additional details about the current model.

Article Link: Next-Generation iPad Air With Spec Bump Reportedly in Development

 

[tripsync]

oh really? cause i thought apple didn't think of doing another iPad air and certainly not bumping any specs.

 

[MrGimper]

I suspect Apple have many products in development that plan to be better than the ones they’re replacing.

 

[Freaky Spock]

Will it support a calculator app?

 

[Razorpit]

No way! 😱

 

[dantracht]

Doesn’t sound like anything worth upgrading from the M1 air for. That 3rd and 4th gen air though….perhaps.

 

[Dwalls90]

I think we'll see the iPad Air this October with a spec bump, since that will be ~18 months since the M1 Air launched, but I would be surprised if we saw it as the first M3 product (even despite the latest rumors). As the Air line is not cutting edge, I could see Apple putting the M2 in it.

 

[gpat]

Just give it 128GB and a price drop. Doesn't even need the M2.

 

[supergt]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion but the best iPad is the cheapest one. You get 95% of the Pro product (not to mention the same handicapped iPad OS) for less than half the cost.

 

[jz0309]

Wow, another Apple product in development! And I always thought that they take a year long break after a new model gets released befor they start working on the next one… Thank You Gurman for these insightful news, don’t know what I would do without you…
/s

 

[coolfactor]

When Apple starts manufacturing their own parts using metal 3D printing, then we'll see a wider array of exciting products released on a quicker schedule, rather than the same products over and over and over again each year. The Vision Pro is a huge new product category, but it's out of reach for most people. I want to see exciting releases more down-to-Earth like back in the days of the surprise-announcement AirPort Express. Remember that in 2004?

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

It’s crazy that iPads now have full on Mac level hardware in them.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Perhaps an unpopular opinion but the best iPad is the cheapest one. You get 95% of the Pro product (not to mention the same handicapped iPad OS) for less than half the cost.

The Air and Pro have extended display support though

 

[azentropy]

I think we'll see the iPad Air this October with a spec bump, since that will be ~18 months since the M1 Air launched, but I would be surprised if we saw it as the first M3 product (even despite the latest rumors). As the Air line is not cutting edge, I could see Apple putting the M2 in it.

I just don't see Apple putting an M2 into the Air before they put an M3 into the Pros and that isn't rumored until next year. Same with any with any of the other updates to the Air that people are requesting as that would infringe on the 11" Pro (like more standard storage, better screen, better pencil support etc.).

 

[Realityck]

I suspect Apple have many products in development that plan to be better than the ones they’re replacing.

Great perspective!

 

[Channan]

Oh good. I was afraid we’d seen the end of the iPad Air. Now can someone please confirm if Apple is working on a new iPhone, too? I’m sweating over here.

 

[surfzen21]

Horizontally facing camera is going to be tough unless then figure out a new way to mount it and the wireless charging of the second gen pencil.

Huge flaw in the 10th gen iPad having to still use the first gen pencil.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Can bet for a price increase more than anything, especially to align with the next OLED pros' prices

 

[one more]

M1 Air 5 is great as it is, IMO, so I will be waiting for Air 7 with an OLED screen and all other mentioned bells & whistles.

 

[75Batt]

"an iPad Air model that boosts its specifications is also in development,"

At least predicting this he’s definitely gona be right for once.

 

[MayaUser]

Now expect the same rumour from Digitimes

 

[contacos]

I hardly use my iPad Air 4 anymore. It’s just more convenient to use the phone in one hand in any position on the couch.

 

[LogicalApex]

It’s crazy that iPads now have full on Mac level hardware in them.

Yet don‘t feel like they are capable of exploiting that hardware.

Stage Manager is getting better, but it still doesn’t feel like it is at the point where you feel like you have room to exploit the power under the hood.

 

[SactoGuy18]

You wonder has Apple thought about dropping the iPad Air in favor of a spec-bumped regular iPad?

 

[Schizoid]

I’m still holding out for an iPad Air Max Pro Ultra running exactly the same iOS as everything else.