In the past 2023, the iPad product line has been relatively low-key. In addition to launching the ESIM version of the tenth-generation iPad for the Chinese market, Apple seems to be focusing more on other product lines rather than iPads. This also makes people wonder, in addition to investing energy in Vision Pro, what other big moves is Apple planning on the iPad product line?
From the perspective of daily use, the iPad can be said to be an extremely durable product in the Apple ecosystem. Even iPads released a few years ago still perform well in daily use, which makes users in no rush to replace them. However, Apple's series of actions on the iPad product line in 2024 may change this status quo.
This year is likely to be the “big year” for iPad.
ipad air overhaul: or add a 12.9-inch version
At present, ipad air is the first choice model for many ipad users. It has leading performance and more affordable price. At the same time, the "air" in the name also represents It has a lighter weight and lower usage burden.
ipad air
In 2024, the iPad Air product line is expected to undergo major changes. Previously, foreign media reported that Apple is developing two iPad Air models with different sizes. The two models are codenamed j507 and j537. The size of the large-sized iPad Air is basically the same as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which indicates that the two models are The screen size will also be almost the same.
Before the product release, foreign media also exposed the detailed parameters of the large-size iPad Air. To put it simply, the length and width of this iPad Air are 280.6mm × 214.9mm, which is exactly the same as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the thickness is 6.0mm, which is even 0.1mm thinner than the 11-inch iPad Air currently on sale. , and it is also thinner than the 12.9-inch iPad Pro currently on sale.
However, due to product positioning, the new iPad Air will most likely continue to have an LCD screen, the screen refresh rate will also be maintained at 60hz, and the top Touch ID design will also be maintained.
From the perspective of daily use, the product positioning of the 12.9-inch iPad Air is somewhat similar to the 15-inch MacBook Air. Its user base is more fond of large screens and hopes that the price threshold of products can be slightly lower. And with the help of a 12.9-inch screen, you can get a better user experience whether it is "Productivity" or "iQiyi".
The new ipad air is expected to be equipped with the m2 chip
As for the hardware configuration, the new ipad air will most likely be equipped with the m2 chip. This chip is enough to meet the needs of daily entertainment and complex office work, and it can also differentiate it from the ipad pro product line.
ipad pro: Upgraded OLED screen and further reduced thickness
iPad Pro is the heavyweight model of the iPad family, and it is the ceiling in all aspects. After the launch of iPad Pro equipped with m2 chip in 2022, the 2024 iPad Pro is expected to achieve comprehensive improvements from the inside to the outside, which can also be called a "major change."
At present, it is a certainty that the new iPad Pro will adopt a new design. Let’s take a look at a set of comparison data:
11-inch iPad Pro (current): 247.6mm×178.5mm×5.9mm
11-inch iPad Pro (new model): 249.7mm× 177.5mm×5.1mm
12.9-inch ipad pro (current): 280.6mm×214.9mm×6.4mm
12.9-inch ipad pro (new): 281.5mm×215.5mm×5.0mm
As you can see from the data, compared with the new ipad pro For older models, not only the length and width have been slightly adjusted, but also the thickness has been narrowed across the board, especially the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which has even reached a thickness of 5.0mm. According to the news, the reason why the new iPad Pro is thinner is because it is equipped with an OLED screen. Its screen is thinner than an LCD screen, so the thickness of the whole machine is also lower. In addition, there have been previous reports that Apple will redesign the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which may also prove that the appearance design of the new iPad Pro will be significantly changed.
ipad pro
In addition to the size change, the new iPad Pro is also expected to be the second iPad to use a horizontal front lens design. Code in the iOS 17.4 beta files shows that Apple has been developing a new iPad with the TrueDepth camera for Face ID functionality at the top when the iPad is in landscape orientation.
In addition, Apple seems to have rewritten the setup process for the new iPads, including "Face ID needs to be in landscape orientation to learn how to recognize you" and "During the Face ID setup process, iPad needs to be in landscape orientation with the camera at the top of the screen. Settings "When completed, Face ID can work both vertically and horizontally" and other descriptions also support that Apple will launch an iPad product with horizontal Face ID.
Currently, the only device that uses Face ID to unlock is the iPad Pro, and the above code may represent that the next generation iPad Pro is expected to adopt a horizontal Face ID design.
From thickness to appearance design, the 2024 iPad Pro will undergo a major overhaul, and as usual, this year’s new iPad Pro will also be equipped with an m3 chip, which will also provide the strongest performance in the iPad product line.
ipad mini: expected to be released in the second half of 2024
Following the launch of the new-looking iPad mini in September 2021, the mini product line has not been updated for a long time. According to recent reports from various sources, the new iPad mini will be officially unveiled in 2024, and this device will also be fully upgraded from the outside to the inside.
On the screen, it is rumored that the screen components of iPad mini will be fine-tuned to solve the "jelly effect" that occurs when sliding vertically. Of course, its solution is also very simple, just adjust the display packaging direction.
The new ipad mini will most likely be equipped with the a16 bionic chip
Judging from the release time of the product, the new ipad mini will most likely be equipped with the a16 bionic chip, which means that the new model will have the same level of performance as the iPhone 14 pro, which is comparable to the current Compared with the a15 chip, the a16 bionic has about a 10% performance improvement and a 50% increase in GPU memory bandwidth. Moreover, this chip has been verified by two generations of products such as the iPhone 14 pro series and the iPhone 15 series. It is also a quite mature chip.
Overall, the new iPad mini will continue the previous product concept. It can be an entertainment device for many people, and it can also be a handheld gadget. Personally, I think its release in the summer is quite appropriate, especially for some game enthusiasts. The small-screen iPad mini can be said to be the most suitable device for playing games in the iOS ecosystem.
is written at the end
Compared with the "relative low-key" in 2023, the iPad product line in 2024 needs a change. As a key part of Apple's ecosystem, iPad carries users' expectations for innovation and practicality. Through the many new products to be released this year, we can also understand Apple's attitude towards the iPad product line.
Now, iPad has become a part of many users’ lives. Whether for work or entertainment, an iPad with stronger performance and better experience is worth waiting for.
2024, the “big year” for iPad is coming.
