Apple has scheduled its next product showcase for May 7, a few weeks before the Worldwide Developers Conference begins.
While the company is, as usual, a little coy about what’s on deck, all the signs are there.
For months it was rumored that Apple would update its iPad lineup in May. Indeed, the announcement image for this “Let Loose” event includes an illustration of a hand holding an Apple Pencil.
Several reports in recent months have offered a glimpse of what Apple has up its sleeve. With that in mind, here’s what we can expect from the next iPad event:
iPad Pro M3
It’s been about 18 months since Apple updated any of its iPads, so its tablet lineup is due for an update. It won’t exactly be a surprise to see Apple insert M3 chips into the latest iPad Pro models, as the most recent versions are powered by M2 chipsets.
Otherwise, the biggest upgrade is expected to come in the form of OLED displays, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. That should bring richer colors and deeper blacks to the iPad Pro.
Since OLED panels are thinner than LCD panels, that should allow Apple to reduce the thickness of the iPad Pro. According to Keynote USA Mac, the 11-inch iPad Pro will be 0.8mm thinner at 5.1mm, while The 12.9-inch model will be noticeably thinner, with thickness expected to drop between 1.5mm and 5mm. One leaker suggested that the bezels could also be up to 15 percent thinner than previous models.
Rumors have been circulating for some time that Apple could offer a glass-backed iPad Pro this year to enable MagSafe charging. Meanwhile, there have been signs that Apple will fix one of our biggest iPad problems and move the front camera to the horizontal edge of the Pro, as it did with the base iPad in late 2022. That means the camera will be located so most optimal for those using a Magic Keyboard or people who simply prefer a landscape orientation.
M2 iPad Air
As for the iPad Air, which Apple has left stagnant for more than two years, it is expected to be upgraded to M2 chips from the M1 currently used in tablets. There are rumors that Apple will opt for the older chip in the iPad Air to differentiate it from the Pro models and ensure that these latest devices remain its highest-end tablets. Reports suggest that the iPad Air’s front camera is also moving to the horizontal edge.
There’s another big change we’re expecting for the iPad Air, and I mean that in the most literal sense. Apple is rumored to be preparing the first 12.9-inch iPad Air. It’s probably the least expensive option for a large-screen iPad, although that would go against the “Air” part of the name a bit.
Display analyst Ross Young previously suggested that the 12.9-inch iPad Air’s display would have a mini-LED display, but that no longer appears to be happening, at least for now. However, Young says Apple could release an iPad Air with that screen later this year. Meanwhile, new iPad Air models may have a larger camera, perhaps so Apple can add a flash.
New Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil
Gurman reported last year that Apple was working on a revamped Magic Keyboard, but only for the iPad Pro, not the Airline. The updated keyboard is said to make the iPad Pro more like a laptop, with a larger trackpad. It’s said to be made of aluminum to make it sturdier than previous models, although “the outer casing of the Magic Keyboard will retain the cover material of the current model,” Gurman says.
Additionally, Apple is expected to introduce a new Apple Pencil to replace the second-generation model. Data miners have suggested that an updated peripheral could include a squeezing gesture to perform certain actions and have Find My support. Some reports have indicated that the upcoming Apple Pencil could also work with Vision Pro drawing apps.
What not to expect: a new iPad or iPad mini
Although the iPad mini in particular is getting very old (the most recent model arrived in September 2021), you probably shouldn’t expect a new model to appear at the Let Loose event. We don’t expect to see a new base iPad. Reports suggest that an 11th-generation iPad and an updated iPad mini could arrive later this year, but maybe don’t hold your breath for them.
Keynote USA News
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