According to a report by news agency Bloomberg, new models of the Apple iPad Air and iPad Pro are expected to arrive in the second week of May, potentially featuring a price increase compared to previous versions. Apple has not announced any new iPads in over a year, but it seems likely that the company will unveil the next-generation iPad Pro and iPad Air models soon. As per previous rumours, a March release for these iPads was likely, but that did not materialise.
Apple iPad Pro May Arrive In Two Sizes
The eagerly awaited Apple iPad Pro is rumoured to be released in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch, both sporting OLED screens. These would be the first iPads to showcase this new display technology, promising improved colors, contrast, and higher peak brightness levels, along with support for a 120Hz (ProRes) refresh rate.
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Additionally, Apple is expected to introduce a new 12.9-inch iPad Air, featuring a standard LCD panel, possibly with a 60Hz refresh rate, marking the first time such a display would be used in an iPad Air model.
Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard May Follow
Following the release of these iPads, Apple is expected to unveil several first-party accessories, such as a new Apple Pencil, a Magic Keyboard featuring a larger trackpad as well as updated folio cases.
In terms of design, the upcoming iPad Pro models are rumoured to have slight variations from their predecessors while maintaining the premium finish characteristic of Apple products, featuring a metal unibody design. Regarding hardware, the new iPad Pro models will be equipped with the M3 chip, whereas the iPad Air will utilise the previous generation M2 chip.
The adoption of new display technology, a 3nm processor, and potentially other components is expected to increase the bill of materials (BoM) for the iPad Pro lineup, leading to a price increase. With the current starting price of $799 for the 11-inch iPad Pro model, consumers should anticipate price hikes ranging from $50 to $100 for both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad models.