Apple is working on two new versions of the iPad Air 6, according to a report from 9to5Mac. The site claims that Apple has four separate models in the works (two each in cellular and Wi-Fi), though it is not clear what the differentiating factor would be if there are indeed two separate iPad Air models coming.
Apple makes two versions of the iPad Pro because it comes in two sizes, and 9to5Mac speculates that Apple could release a larger version of the iPad Air to go along with the current 10.9-inch version, or debut "a more expensive model with better specs."
Given that the iPad lineup already features two sizes of the iPad Pro, a low-cost iPad, and the iPad mini, a larger or higher-end iPad Air may not make a lot of sense. 9to5Mac warns that Apple's plans could change and that a second iPad Air model might not appear.
Prior rumors have suggested that Apple is working on a seventh-generation iPad mini and an 11th-generation low-cost iPad, with neither tablet expected to feature major changes. 9to5Mac says that its sources believe the iPad mini 7 is coming "soon," but the report also says that all of the new iPads are on track to be announced "between now and WWDC 2024 in June," which is a wide window.
Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in September that Apple is not likely to introduce new iPads in 2023, and that iPad mini and iPad Air models will instead come in 2024. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said in September that Apple is working on a new iPad Air and that it could be "coming soonish," so it continues to be unclear if we'll see an iPad of some kind before the end of the year.
Apple has not refreshed the iPad Air since March of 2022, so it has been over a year since the last update. The current model includes the M1 chip, and Apple could wait for the debut of the M3 chip for an update, so iPad Air launch timing could be tied to M3 launch timing.
As for the iPad mini, it has not been refreshed since September 2021, though it is not a tablet that Apple updates regularly.
Top Rated Comments
Steve Jobs definitely had the product range idea right: Keep it simple, don't have excess number of product variations.
2 pro sizes, 2 air sizes.
Sure, market conditions and consumer preferences change over time, and we are definitely in an age of more consumer choice and customization. But in general the premise of the paradox holds merit over the long term.
I recommend you read up on the paradox of choice. Sure, having many options can be great for more technical users like us who want specifically what we want, but in general being overwhelmed with options can often cause consumers to not make a decision at all. Or at least delay making their decision for some time until they can sit down and do a bunch of research. And most people, outside of us geeks, don't do that.
The other thing about the paradox, is that when you have so many options available, a consumer ends up being less satisfied with the product they chose because they doubt they made the correct choice. This can lower consumer satisfaction and make them less loyal to you over the long-term. It's really strange and seems counter-intuitive, but it's a thing. And hopefully I'm remembering most of these details correctly. It has been awhile! It's definitely worth a search and a read, as I found it to be one of the more interesting things I learned in my marketing coursework.
So, there might be a new iPad Air, but there also might not be a new iPad Air.
Got it. ?
.
In all seriousness, maybe this is the more logical guess:
iPad Pro & iPad Pro Max
iPad Air & iPad Air Plus