According to two reports, Apple plans to launch refreshed versions of its existing iPad range later this week. The Cupertino company is said to be preparing to launch an updated iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini, which could be announced in the coming days. However, it is unlikely that these new models will debut with major changes to their specifications, apart from the chipset. Meanwhile, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims in his weekly newsletter that Apple is working on updated iPad models, but says an imminent launch is unlikely.
A Supercharged report citing sources familiar with Apple’s plans claims the company will launch refreshed iPad models this week, including a new iPad Air model with an updated M2 chip. On the other hand, the iPad mini, which is currently powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, could feature the A16 Bionic processor found on the iPhone 15. The publication previously reported that Apple’s next iPad mini model would be shipped with a fix for the “jelly scrolling” issue affecting the current generation model.
Because these are minor hardware upgrades to Apple’s existing devices, the company will reportedly announce the updated versions via press releases on the company’s website and on its YouTube channel, rather than through a virtual or in-person event. Apple similarly announces new color options for the current generation iPhone every year.
9to5Mac states that it has confirmed the Supercharged report with its own sources, stating that the announcement could happen as early as Tuesday, October 17. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman states in his Power On newsletter that while innovations for the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad mini are currently being developed by Apple with more powerful chips, he doesn’t believe “any significant updates are imminent.”
Meanwhile, Gurman says that an updated version of the MacBook Pro with Apple’s yet-to-be-announced M3 Pro and M3 Max chips is nearing the mass production stage and will be released between early spring and spring of next year. The Bloomberg reporter says it will take longer for an M3-powered MacBook Air to arrive – sometime around the second half of 2024.
According to Gurman, the company is also working on technology that would allow it to wirelessly turn on an iPhone in its stores, install the latest version of the operating system and then turn the phone off. This could help the company equip its smartphones with the latest iOS version, including the latest bug fixes and improvements, before purchasing the device.
