Apple may launch a larger iPad

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Apple has been rumored to be working on an iPad with a larger display since mid-2021, but what about the company’s plans for a larger tablet amid reports that the 14-inch model has been canceled?

 

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1. Rumors so far

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman was first to spread rumors that Apple designers and engineers were exploring an iPad with a larger screen, which could further “blur the line between tablet and laptop.” In January 2022, news broke that several suppliers, including BOE and LG, were retooling their factories to be able to supply Apple with OLED displays about 15 inches in size, suitable for future iPad models.

The leaker known as “Majin Bu” then claimed that Apple was working on an iPad with a 14.1-inch display and M2 chip – a rumor that was corroborated by oft-accurate display industry analyst Ross Young, who added that the device would There’s a mini-LED display, but no ProMotion, and a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Last July, he revised his forecast to say that Apple had switched to an LCD display for the device, which is used in the iPad mini and iPad Air.

In October, The Information’s Wayne Ma reported that Apple is working on a 16-inch iPad that it hopes to release in the fourth quarter of 2023. Future devices will have roughly the same screen size as the 16-inch MacBook Pro, giving users a larger canvas.

Finally, Yang said in December that Apple had shelved plans for a 14.1-inch iPad. Mark Gurman’s latest Apple device roadmap for this year also lacks any larger iPad models, saying there won’t be a major iPad hardware refresh in 2023.

2 What kind of bigger iPad is Apple envisioning?

At least one of the larger iPad models Apple was working on last year was explicitly rumored to be without ProMotion technology, suggesting it

Not the iPad Pro models. An LCD display without ProMotion would make the 14.1-inch iPad well below the 12.9-inch iPad Pro in terms of specs, suggesting it’s more similar to the iPad Air.

The device could be imagined as a larger iPad Air option, or even part of an all-new iPad lineup, with a priority unlike anything we’ve seen before. At the very least, this device appears to be suitable for creative professionals, such as graphic artists and designers, who can take full advantage of the large touchscreen surface.

While the larger iPad display size could bring the iPad closer to the Mac than ever before, further software improvements may be needed to properly take advantage of the larger display. Despite the introduction of Stage Manager in iPadOS 16, some users continue to complain about the iPad’s multitasking experience and inability to fully utilize its hardware, making replacing a traditional computer even more challenging.

3 Can we expect larger iPad models?

Despite the turmoil surrounding rumors of larger iPad models, Apple seems very interested in the prospect of a larger tablet in the future.

The largest iPads from 2018 are the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That means the largest iPad is still smaller than the smallest MacBook, the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro, which have 13.3-inch displays. With the 12.9-inch iPad Pro already in a similar range to the 13.3-inch MacBook, and rumored to increase to 13 inches next year, it seems only a matter of time before Apple offers a larger iPad model.

Will Apple launch any new iPads in 2023?

Bloomberg has repeatedly discussed Apple’s interest in a larger iPad, although it is now believed that the 14.1-inch iPad model in development has been cancelled.

The 16-inch model, which The Information last reported on, may still be in active development.

2023 is expected to be a quiet year for new iPad hardware, with at best very minor updates expected to the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad. There are rumors that a 16-inch iPad could arrive by the end of the year, but that could slip to 2024 — in which case, the first larger iPad model could join a redesigned iPad Pro model with an OLED display .

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