Will Apple Unveil New iPads in 2023? Here's Your October Rumor Update

[Indigovalley]

Who buys minis anymore? Little kids?

66 year old retired teacher here. I like the iPad mini as it was the perfect size for use in my classroom as a write-on device for the projector while teaching. It didn't take up much of my limited desk space. I also prefer the mini size for my personal use. I do not believe it is something for "kids". I have an iPad Mini 6 and i prefer it for its size and weight (I have arthritis in my hands). But I also prefer it because it meets my needs--its a Kindle size device for reading ebooks, plays games well, has an easier to read larger screen for web surfing than my iPhone, and can be easily carried in my purse when traveling or going around town. Not everyone cares about processor speed, memory, or productively ability. There are a lot of people out there like me who find the mini the best match.

 

[Realityck]

Who buys minis anymore? Little kids?

Which is smarter holding a iPad as you do your daily activities or commuting one hand or two handed?

 

[StudioMacs]

66 year old retired teacher here. I like the iPad mini as it was the perfect size for use in my classroom as a write-on device for the projector while teaching. It didn't take up much of my limited desk space. I also prefer the mini size for my personal use. I do not believe it is something for "kids". I have an iPad Mini 6 and i prefer it for its size and weight (I have arthritis in my hands). But I also prefer it because it meets my needs--its a Kindle size device for reading ebooks, plays games well, has an easier to read larger screen for web surfing than my iPhone, and can be easily carried in my purse when traveling or going around town. Not everyone cares about processor speed, memory, or productively ability. There are a lot of people out there like me who find the mini the best match.

My wife likes it for its light weight and portability (easily pursable). She was also a fan of the 12 inch MacBook for the same reason.

 

[Warped9]

The Mini 6 is hardly for kids given its pricing. Many if not most parents buying a tablet for kids lean toward something cheaper so it’s not so much of a loss if damaged or abused.

 

[RAS2MR]

Who buys minis anymore? Little kids?

I use my mini more than any other iPad: reading books (which I do a lot), music videos, casual web surfing and email. Except for when I'm drawing with a pencil, I'm much more inclined to pick up my MacBook Air than I am my larger iPad.

 

[Crow_Servo]

id like to see a new iPad mini.

It may be small, but the current model is more like an 'air mini' rather than a standard iPad.

For its price point, it needs a better screen, and at least an m1 chip.

What’s interesting is the Mini starts out as an “Air Mini” when it launches, but since Apple refreshes it so infrequently, it lines up with the base iPad by the end of its cycle.

It happened to the Mini 4, 5 and now the 6. If an 11th gen iPad gets released right now, the specs will line up with the Mini 6 in most regards. At that point, a Mini 7 is necessary if Apple wants to keep it more relevant in its unique place in the lineup.

That’s why I like to vote with my wallet and buy each new iPad Mini, so Apple knows there’s still an audience for it. Plus, they seem to wait long enough between refreshes, that it has a number of desirable upgrades included each time.

The Mini 6 had several notable upgrades. Chief among them was the redesign itself. But Center Stage, USB-C, a solid chip upgrade (at the time of release), a tiny RAM bump and Apple Pencil 2 support were all appealing upgrades for me too compared to the Mini 5.

It would be buzz-worthy for Apple to add ProMotion to the Mini and Air, so they remain semi-premium products. Plus give both the Air and Mini the same high-end chip and RAM configuration, so there’s no question that they are equals, just different sizes.

 

[Yourbigpalal83]

I have a 6, see the jelly scroll (far overblown IMO, usually by people without one, who have only read about it in forums), and NEVER wish it was any thinner or lighter. It is already quite thin and light as is... already fits in a suit pocket and is also rugged enough to toss around.

To combat the jelly, slow blink during a rapid scroll or just look away for a second until the page is already scrolling. If I want to maximize the effect, I can focus on seeing it, but really: no big deal. Should Apple address it in the next generation? Of course!

A problem with always wanting "thinner & lighter" is the camera. While the tech guts could move toward being only a few millimeters thick, the camera must have enough depth for the physics of photography to work. 6 has already given up a flush camera. A thinner 7 would have to have much more camera bulge unless we want thinner at the expense of camera quality. There is no magical way to thin camera depth too to keep up with some march towards sheet of paper thin... which would also eventually sacrifice that "rugged" goal too.

I dont want a thinner or lighter ipad if the structure of the device is compromised. I actually dont mind thicker or heavier products if it means the ipad is unlikely to bend or break in a pocket or backpack or something!

As for the jellyscrolling...to me its very noticeable. Annoyingly so!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I certainly notice it- just don't care about it enough to NOT own a 6 and/or perpetually wait for the next one that MIGHT address it.

 

[RealE]

It's time to bring Face ID to the non-Pro iPads.

I really like TouchID inbedded embedded in the lock screen button. I see no reason to get rid of that. If anything I'd like to see TouchID lock buttons join the iPhone's FaceID so we can double authenticate or choose which we'd rather use.

 

[svish]

Expecting a new iPad Air this month!

 

[polyphenol]

I really like TouchID inbedded in the lock screen button. I see no reason to get rid of that. If anything I'd like to see TouchID lock buttons join the iPhone's FaceID so we can double authenticate or choose which we'd rather use.

Agree. FaceID on my iPad Pro is pretty good. But I certainly would like a TouchID option at times.

(When I switched from TouchID phone to FaceID phone, it was far better than I had expected, but with an iPad, choice would be excellent.)

 

[Any name]

Biggest issue for me is jelly scrolling on iPad mini. Won’t buy one because of it. Not that I need one. But I Wouldn’t recommend it. I thought it was being over exaggerated until I saw it in person.

Besides that, just small updates to prep iPads for future on device, and smarter, Siri or other AI and I’d be more than happy. My A12Z iPad Pro works just fine for my use case. My iPhone 15 Pro Max does the heavy lifting. I don’t see needing to upgrade my iPad Pro until I need a new chip to run LLM’s or AI that can make the device and my use of it better by miles.

If I were Apple, Id be pouring tons of money into software optimization and optimization and uses for LLM’S/AI and what it would take to get it to run on device.

I do not notice it at all

 

[Lurker-Monkey]

I’m looking to get a new iPad soon. Would be perfect time for Apple to release a new iPad Air with M2/M3 so I could take advantage of deeper discounts to the Air 5th generation with the M1 processor as that would be perfect for my needs. They are already $100 off on Amazon both storage configurations.

 

[Bstzbgs]

I couldn’t care less about a new iPad mini. What I want is pretty straightforward.

1. a 15” iPad Pro (but 14” would be an improvement). My 12.9” iPad Pro is my most-used apple product. I use it for watching shows and movies, reading, taking notes, and design work and planning using the pencil. This format would allow viewing of entire letter or A4 pdf’s at full size, and have more screen real estate for flow charts, drawings, and sketches.
2. MagSafe charging. More convenient, and would reduce wear on the USB-C port. Would allow use of MagSafe power banks and other accessories people already have for their iPhones. Would also be a great fit for “tablet arms”. I have an arm that clamps to my desk and holds my iPad like a monitor arm. I know there’s a company that makes a non-MagSafe magnetic version of this now, but one that includes an MFI/Qi2 charging head would be really convenient. I’m sure many people would like a fixed wireless charging stand. Standby mode, like on the iPhone 15, would be amazing on an iPad. On the iPhone, you only get 1 or 2 widget slots. On a larger iPad, there’d be room to display multiple widgets at once: your choice of clock, calendar, appointments, reminders, weather, music, etc.

These are things Apple has been rumored to have been working towards already, and seem in line with their goals. MagSafe is the biggest differentiator between Apple and Android/Chrome devices now. Leveraging it further makes sense. Also, we laugh about the ill-conceived “What’s a computer” ad campaign of a few years ago, but it indicates Apple’s thoughts about what the iPad can be. As they become more and more powerful and capable, they tend to be what people reach for, especially in the home, on the sofa, when one doesn’t want to be stuck at a desk. For something used so much, I’m surprised they haven’t offered a larger Pro model yet. Samsung is coming out with a larger format tablet, so maybe that will be an impetus for Apple.

 

[polyphenol]

Is it time for Apple to consider iPads without rear cameras?

I'm sure some people use their iPad rear cameras, indeed I know someone who does, but equally sure many never do. Maybe just use their iPhone camera instead?

Simply suggesting they make two versions - with and without rear camera systems. With obvious manufacturing cost and selling price adjustments.

Also prompted by the suggestions for larger iPads - which I suspect make use of any rear camera even less likely.

 

[Warped9]

Is it time for Apple to consider iPads without rear cameras?

I'm sure some people use their iPad rear cameras, indeed I know someone who does, but equally sure many never do. Maybe just use their iPhone camera instead?

Simply suggesting they make two versions - with and without rear camera systems. With obvious manufacturing cost and selling price adjustments.

Also prompted by the suggestions for larger iPads - which I suspect make use of any rear camera even less likely.

Using an iPad’s rear camera is not the most convenient thing particularly if you have a case on the iPad. It’s much easier to take a picture with your phone and Airdrop it to the iPad if nevessary.

 

[polyphenol]

Using an iPad’s rear camera is not the most convenient thing particularly if you have a case on the iPad. It’s much easier to take a picture with your phone and Airdrop it to the iPad if nevessary.

Or even add something like a Continuity Camera option to iPadOS.

 

[FlyingTexan]

Honest question but what are people using iPads for where they need more power? We use ours in the aircraft and they work great even though 4yrs old. For me it’d need to be tech jumps like much brighter screens for use in sunlight but as far as performance goes I don’t know what’s out there that we need more juice for.

 

[sailingHobbit]

To exceed USB-C 480Mbps data speeds will require a A17 Pro chip.

No it does not. The iPad mini already has USB 3.1 Gen 1 (up to 5Gb/s) with the A15. Limiting the A16 in the iPhone 15 to USB 2.0 speed is just Apple way of pushing more people to buy the more expensive Pro models. It has nothing to do with the SoC not being able to do 5 Gb/s or more.

 

[pshufd]

I'd look at an updated mini. My daughter took my mini 5 a few months ago as I didn't use it that much because I spend a lot more time on Macs but I have some use cases for it. It would be nice to get USB-C charging too. I don't really need much from a mini - the speed bump would be enough.

 

[StudioMacs]

Honest question but what are people using iPads for where they need more power? We use ours in the aircraft and they work great even though 4yrs old. For me it’d need to be tech jumps like much brighter screens for use in sunlight but as far as performance goes I don’t know what’s out there that we need more juice for.

Davinci Resolve video editing when I‘m not at home using my Mac Studio. Pretty much anything I would use a laptop for (provided I have a suitable app).

 

[george42]

According to Apple, the Vision Pro will go on sale in early 2024, which likely means January to late April. Note that the Vision Pro uses an M2 chip.

Well, Apple might ship the Vision Pro with an M3 for all we know. Perhaps they just didn’t want to announce the M3 at the same time as the Vision Pro and, therefore, said it will use an M2.

 

[BerkAss]

I hope that iPad Air 6 gets released this month. Need a tablet for studying purpose and for me it didn't make sense to buy one even with $50 edu store discount + $100 gift card promotion which ended few days ago when there are rumors of releases soon.

 

[UltimaKilo]

I think by this point M4 is the big cheese we’d all be after. I’d says skip M3 entirely and just go to M4. But then M5 wouldn’t be far behind that. So they could decide to skip to M6. But you have to admit, by then M6 will be meh and M7 would probably be a better option. For longevity I’d advise to wait for the big M10. Who cares about M8 or M9 when the big M10 is just around the corner.

But then you have to ask yourself, would you have been better waiting for M11, or dare I say M12 🤔

Sometimes it’s good to wait a little as something good is just around the corner.

In the meantime I’ll stick with my Apple Newton.

You’re seriously suggesting Apple stop upgrading devices with new processors and stick to older ones? Thanks, Tim Apple! 🤣