According to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is gearing up to refresh its iPad lineup before the end of this year. A separate source claims that Apple will announce updates to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and the entry-level iPad on Tuesday, October 17.
Apple to refresh iPad lineup with performance boosts and jelly scrolling fix
It is customary for Apple to announce iPad refreshes in October, following the release of the latest iPhones and Apple Watch. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggests that the release of these new devices “won’t happen this month.” In contrast, Supercharged News claims that updates to the iPad lineup will be announced on October 17.
Adding to this, TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that “new iPad models are unlikely before the year’s end.” If Kuo’s prediction holds true, this would mark the first time in the iPad’s 13-year history that a calendar year passes without new iPad releases.
While Gurman acknowledges that new iPad Air, iPad mini and entry-level iPad models are indeed in the pipeline, he claims that these forthcoming updates are not going to be noteworthy.
A new entry-level iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini are all in development with faster chips, but I don’t believe updates of any significance are imminent.
The primary focus of these updates appears to be minor spec enhancements, equipping these models with faster and more efficient chips. The iPad Air will receive a performance boost with the inclusion of the M2 chip, an upgrade from the current M1 chip. The updated iPad mini is set to feature the A16 Bionic chip, promising improved performance.
In addition, there have been rumors that Apple aims to tackle the issue of “jelly scrolling” with the next-generation iPad mini. This phenomenon can make displayed content appear laggy and choppy, and Apple seems to be taking steps to address this concern.
These announcements are expected to be unveiled through Apple’s official website and YouTube channel. There won’t be any in-person events or elaborate product launches for these iPad updates. Apple has recently adopted a laid-back approach, opting for press releases to unveil new products, as seen with the latest iPad Pro featuring the M2 chip, the M2 Pro, and M2 Max Macbook Pros, and the Mac mini.
In related news, Gurman expects a lineup refresh for MacBooks in the first half of 2024 with updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models and 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models. The journalist did not provide insights into the iMac or other Mac products.
