A new report from 9to5Mac says Apple is likely working on two new versions of its iPad Air 6. The report also claims that Apple has two cellular and two Wi-Fi models in the works. However, the report does not include what would differentiate the two separate iPad Air models.
The report speculates that Apple could take the same path it took with the iPad Pro, offering it in two sizes. Or Apple could release “a more expensive model with better specs.” 9to5Mac warns that Apple’s plans could change and that a second iPad Air model might not appear.
Rumors from earlier this year indicated that Apple is working on a seventh-generation iPad mini and an 11th-generation low-cost iPad. However, the reports indicated that neither tablet was expected to feature any major upgrades. The 9to5Mac report says that its sources believe the iPad mini 7 is coming “soon.” The report also says that both of the new iPads will likely be announced “between now and WWDC 2024 in June,” which leaves plenty of room for error.
The iPad Air last received a refresh in March 2022, meaning it has already been more than a year since its last update. The current Air is powered by an M1 chip, meaning Apple could be waiting until its M3 chip is ready for prime time, and will wait to release the new iPad Air until the M3 launch.
The iPad mini has not received a refresh since September 2021, although Apple does not update it on a regular basis.