According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we should see a new wave of iPads including the Air and Pro, as well as new MacBook Air models “around the end of March”. In his newsletter released yesterday, he said that the production of new iPad Pro models and a new 13-inch MacBook Air is underway.
New iPad Air and Pro
Based on reports, Apple will release at least four new iPad models this coming quarter – a 10.9-inch and a new 12.9-inch iPad Air and a couple of iPad Pros – an 11-inch and 13-inch.
Previously the larger screen was only available for the Pro model and never for the Air. Some of the rumoured features of the next-gen iPad Air include using Apple’s M2 silicon (the M1 model was released in 2022), a new rear camera bump, Wi-Fi 6E support and Bluetooth 5.3. Otherwise, the tablet will look the same as the previous model.
For the Pro, the two new models are expected to be the first iPads with OLED display. Because of that, we should see an increase in price as OLED panels are pricier than LCDs. One of the features we should see with the OLED display is the support for LTPO technology, allowing the screen to drop the refresh rate down to save battery power. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro go all the way to 1Hz in Always-on Display Mode.
Other rumoured features include the Apple M3 silicon, MagSafe wireless charging, a new Magic Keyboard with a larger trackpad and aluminium top case and a landscape-oriented front camera.
Apple launched the current M2 iPad Pros back in 2022.
New MacBook Air 13 & 15
Meanwhile, the MacBook Air is also expected to see a refresh in 2024, following the update of the MacBook Pro late last year. The Air should see the latest Apple M3 silicon installed, which gives hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading for better graphics rendering.
Otherwise, the look of the MacBook Air should stay the same, but Wi-Fi 6E support should be baked in with the refresh. The last time we saw the MacBook Air launched was for the first 15-inch model, which was launched middle of last year.
For those looking for more ‘ummph‘ in their tablets, the rumoured upcoming models should give a bit more of power, especially with the M3 SoC in the iPad Pros. The upgrade for the MacBook Air is also welcomed, but can Apple keep the thermals down enough for the hotter M2 SoC to work optimally in the fanless MacBook Air? We will have to wait and see.
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