January 22, 2024 – Rumors are swirling about a potential game-changing update to Apple’s iPad Air series, with reports suggesting the addition of a larger screen variant to the lineup. The annual iPad refresh, which typically occurs in March, could bring a significant overhaul to the popular tablet series.
Supply chain leaks have revealed CAD renderings that offer a glimpse into the design of the upcoming device. While the overall aesthetic appears to be largely unchanged from the previous generation iPad Air, the dimensions have been scaled up, echoing the relationship between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.
The smaller version of the iPad Air is expected to retain a 10.9-inch display, while the new larger model will boast a 12.9-inch screen, making it the biggest Air tablet in Apple’s history. To complement the expanded canvas, Apple is rumored to be introducing a refreshed Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, enhancing the productivity capabilities of the iPadOS-powered device.
Interestingly, reports indicate that the 12.9-inch iPad Air will feature a traditional LCD display, rather than the more advanced mini-LED or OLED technologies. This choice could potentially result in a lower price point compared to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, as speculated by Mark Gurman.
Under the hood, the 12.9-inch iPad Air is rumored to be powered by Apple’s M2 chip. This powerful processor, built using TSMC’s 5-nanometer process, packs an impressive 20 billion transistors and features a CPU consisting of four performance cores and four efficiency cores, promising exceptional performance.
