Apple’s most exciting upcoming iPads may not be Pro models - The Verge
Rumors about the screen for a potential 14.1-inch iPad have shifted, and Apple’s entry-level tablet may be getting a big upgrade in the fall.
The rumors swirling around a 14.1-inch iPad have shifted. Last week, supply chain analyst Ross Young predicted that the potential device would be branded as an iPad Pro and would be equipped with the Mini LED / ProMotion display, like the one found on the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Now, however, Young predicts that the 14.1-inch tablet won’t have Mini LED or a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate display, according to a report from MacRumors.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are also rumors that the entry-level iPad, which currently sells for $329 and features a 10.2-inch screen, will get a big upgrade with modern connectivity and specs.
iPad users will soon be wanting for more screen space to go with a new multitasking UI and the new display scaling modes.
Image: Apple
A 14.1-inch iPad without Pro features and cutting-edge screen tech does seem a bit confusing at first — wouldn’t power users want the biggest screen and all the high-end features? — but the move does make some sense. Apple recently announced a new multitasking feature for iPadOS, called Stage Manager, that’ll be coming later this year and that’ll benefit from extra screen space. In my opinion, at least, it wouldn’t hurt for Apple to shy away from astronomical pricing for the first iPad that could really take advantage of the system (though Samsung charges around $1,000 for its 14.6-inch tablet, so less expensive doesn’t necessarily mean actually affordable). With that said, the people who would appreciate more screen real estate the most would be the iPadOS enthusiasts, who probably wouldn’t love having to choose between getting a bigger canvas or sticking with the beautiful display tech from the 12.9-inch Pro.
Young predicts that the 14.1-inch iPad will be released in the first quarter of 2023.
Part of Apple’s reported decision to not put a maxed-out screen on the 14.1-inch could come down to supply chain considerations. Looking at delivery times of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it does seem like Apple may be struggling to keep up with demand for the Mini LED-equipped tablet. The company’s website predicts that it would take over two weeks for me to get the base model of the big Pro, whereas I could get the 11-inch version, or the Air, within hours. Some configurations of the MacBook Pro, which features a 14.2-inch Mini LED display, also seem relatively difficult to come by.
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