Apple isn’t expected to update its iPad lineup in 2023 with the exception of the next iPad Air expected to release this October but without a dedicated event.
The fifth-generation iPad Air launched in 2022 | Image: Harris Craycraft/iDB
Don’t expect a dedicated event in October following tomorrow’s “Wonderlust” iPhone 15 unveiling, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman who made the claim on the latest episode of The MacRumors Show podcast.
It’s pretty clear that Apple’s September events are reserved for new iPhones, Apple Watches and sometimes accessories like AirPods. More often than not, Apple also holds another event in October, focusing primarily on new Macs and iPads.
The iPad Air 6 could be the only new iPad in 2023
Gurman said there is a new iPad Air with improved specifications in the works and the device is apparently “coming soonish.” He added that “we may get an iPad refresh in October,” not including the iPad Pro, which is not expected to be updated until next year.
Gurman isn’t the first to report on this. As MacRumors separately reported, a rumor posted to the Chinese social media site Weibo claims that “only the iPad Air series should be updated this year” in October, with “no mini and Pro this year.” This account has a proven track record in reporting Apple’s secrets.
What about M3 Macs in October?
Two weeks ago, Gurman ran a story on Bloomberg saying Apple would also announce some new Mac computers based on the upcoming Apple M3 chip in October. “There’s also another launch occurring in October—likely for the first M3 Macs—but it’s unclear if that will be positioned as a formal event,” Gurman wrote.
Gurman made some new comments regarding M3 Macs on the show:
Gurman believes that there will be a further Apple product launch in October, but expressed skepticism that an entire event will take place to introduce new devices. He said that it could be similar to the introduction of the M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro models earlier this year, which were announced via press release and a short video. Gurman claimed that October could see something “along those lines.” “I’m not sure they have enough to drag people down to Cupertino to watch the video like they do for this [iPhone 15] launch,” he added.
It seems he’s no longer expecting a dedicated event in October. Instead, we should be holding our collective breath for a quiet iPad Air 6 release via a press release and a website update. Perhaps we’ll get some new Macs, too.
It was previously believed that Apple would update all iPads models this year except the iPad Pro lineup, which is said to get M3 chips and OLED screens in 2024.
These iPads could use a refresh
The $449 iPad could be a good candidate for a refresh—the tenth-generation model arrived in October 2022 with the A14 chip and a 10.9-inch screen.
Or the iPad mini, which was last refreshed in September 2021 with the A15 Bionic chip, a larger 8.3-inch display and a fullscreen design that swaps the Home button for a Touch ID sensor embedded into the power button at the top.
The truth is, Apple isn’t under pressure to update the iPad Air and the iPad mini. Both these tablets have already swapped Lightning for USB-C. as per new EU rules. The company has already transitioned iPads and some of its accessories to USB-C, and now it’s expected to do the same with the iPhone 15 lineup.
The fifth-generation iPad Air, last updated in March 2022, also has USB-C and the A15 Bionic chip. But considering the iPad Air is the most popular Apple tablet that offers excellent value for money, Apple should at least refresh that one in 2023.