Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says be patient, updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models are on the way, and they’ll be accompanied by new versions of the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
Apple had been expected to announce several updated products in rapid succession, with new MacBooks and new iPads announced in rapid fashion. However, Apple announced a new M3-powered MacBook Air on March 4, but we haven’t heard anything official about new iPads or iPad accessories.
However, Gurman, writing in his weekly “Power On” newsletter on Sunday insists that Apple still has plans for revamped iPad Pro and iPad Air models, along with a redesigned Magic Keyboard and a new version of the Apple Pencil. Gurman says the new products should debut sometime around the end of March or in April. We may see a possible update to iPadOS 17.4 to ensure compatibility with the new products.
The iPad Pro and iPad Air lineup is expected to be relocating the FaceTime Camera in all models to the long side of the devices, for improved FaceTime calls. Code within iPadOS 17.4 suggests that cameras will be in that position when users set up FaceTime on the as-yet-unreleased models.
When I first wrote that Apple was planning new MacBook Airs and iPads for this spring, I noted that the Macs would arrive first. That did happen. But that doesn’t mean the other products aren’t coming. As I’ve written several times, Apple is preparing to launch revamped iPad Pros, new iPad Airs (including a 12.9-inch version), a Magic Keyboard and upgraded Apple Pencil. Look for that new hardware around the end of March or in April, as that’s when the accompanying iPadOS 17.4 software should be ready to go.
The updated Pro models will also be equipped with OLED screens, which means we may also see a price hike. Currently, iPad Pros use LED-backlit or mini-LED technology, depending on the model.
It’s likely that at least one of the anticipated iPad Air models will continue to use mini-LED displays.
Numerous rumors have said that a new version of the Apple Pencil is on the way. Apple last year released a less-expensive but non-magnetic Apple Pencil equipped with USB-C last year, which can still “snap” magnetically to existing iPad Air and Pro models but no longer charges that way, instead requiring the use of a sliding USB-C cap for wired charging.
The USB-C version also lacks pressure sensitivity, making it more of a tool for traditional handwriting and note-taking uses than drawing.
A revamped Magic Keyboard is also expected to be introduced alongside the new iPad models.
The new version is expected to boast an aluminum material for the “top case,” the area around the keyboard, to make the unit sturdier and more closely resemble the look and feel of the MacBook Pro and Air keyboard. A larger trackpad area is also expected to be a feature.
Rumors have indicated that the units will boast a USB-C port separate from the one on the iPads themselves.