According to recent reports from Bloomberg, Apple is gearing up to unveil an upgraded iPad Air featuring “internal improvements” aimed at enhancing user experience, with a launch anticipated as early as spring 2025.
This comes on the heels of the iPad Air receiving a refresh with the powerful M2 chip earlier this year, indicating that Apple is now considering a faster turnaround of around 12 months between models. This contrasts sharply with their historical pattern of 18-24 months for iPad Air updates. Such a rapid refresh timeline raises intriguing questions about the specific enhancements Apple plans to incorporate into these next-generation devices.
New Magic Keyboard
Among the anticipated improvements, Apple is reportedly in the process of designing a completely new Magic Keyboard tailored specifically for the iPad Air. The current iteration utilizes the original Magic Keyboard design that debuted back in 2020 alongside the iPad Pro, while the base model iPad has since received a more modern Magic Keyboard Folio and the iPad Pro has introduced a sleek new aluminum variant.
Insider Mark Gurman has indicated that the forthcoming Magic Keyboard for the new iPad Air may feature an updated function row, echoing improvements seen in previous iPad keyboards. However, it’s noteworthy that unlike the latest iPad Pro model, this Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air will forgo the premium aluminum top case design, focusing instead on better functionality.
Consumers are hopeful that this new iPad Air Magic Keyboard will offer a more budget-friendly starting price. Presently, the older Magic Keyboard and the model designed for iPad Pro both start at $299 for the 11-inch variant and $349 for the 13-inch version, even though the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard boasts superior features and performance.
Potentially Upgraded Display
An insider source linked with the Upgrade podcast has revealed that Apple is exploring a 90Hz display technology for the upcoming iPad Air and other Apple devices. Citing direct information, they noted:
“I have news on screen improvements for the next generation of the M3 iPad Air. Apple is working on a higher refresh rate LCD display with a new liquid motion panel fixed at around 90Hz. They’re also working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch iMac and a next-gen studio display.”
It’s important to note that other reputable leakers have yet to corroborate this rumor, suggesting caution regarding these potential display upgrades. Display analyst Ross Young has publicly mentioned that he has heard nothing regarding new Apple displays featuring a 90Hz option.
Upgraded Chip
While Gurman’s initial report did not provide specific details about the chip upgrade, it is highly unlikely that Apple would refresh the iPad Air with the same chipset that powers the current version. This strongly suggests that an upgrade to either the M3 or M4 chip is on the horizon.
Industry speculation leans towards the next iPad Air adopting the M3 chip, following Apple’s historically staggered release pattern. While it was once thought that Apple was eager to move away from the first-generation 3nm process due to its inherent high costs and low yields, the incorporation of the A17 Pro chip in the iPad mini indicates a shift in strategy. The M3 chip aligns with the usual yearly cadence observed among the iPad Air series. Furthermore, other sources have suggested that this is indeed a forthcoming upgrade.
That said, the possibility of Apple transitioning away from the first-generation 3nm process could still factor into their decision-making. It could result in the M4 chip being used in the iPad Air, potentially implementing the lowest binned version equipped with an 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU to distinguish it from the more advanced iPad Pro.
Currently, there seems to be stronger evidence supporting the likelihood of an M3 chip upgrade as opposed to M4. It’s possible that, similar to previous trends, Apple has amassed a surplus of M3 chips after rapidly transitioning M3 Macs to M4, making this upgrade a sensible supply chain decision.
Face ID?
In a recent edition of his Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman discussed the potential for the next-generation iPad Air to incorporate Face ID technology as a new feature. However, he also acknowledged that Apple is cautious about making the device too similar to the iPad Pro.
While the introduction of Face ID would be a welcome upgrade, especially considering its presence in the iPad Pro for over six years, indications suggest it may not be included in this next iteration.
Other Potential Improvements
This next section leans towards speculation, but there are several enhancements seen in other Apple products that could potentially be incorporated into the upcoming M3 iPad Air:
- Consistent 600 nits brightness standard, which is currently unique to the 13-inch M2 iPad Air while the 11-inch model remains at 500 nits.
- Integration of Wi-Fi 7 support, as introduced in the iPhone 16 lineup.
- The addition of a rear LED flash, which debuted on the iPad mini in 2021 but has yet to make its way into the iPad Air.
- Thunderbolt support, which remains exclusive to the iPad Pro at this time.
- Enhanced microphone array for improved audio quality.
Are you excited about the forthcoming iPad Air refresh set for 2025? Do you believe this upcoming version will warrant an upgrade? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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**Interview: Future Enhancements and Features of the Upcoming iPad Air**
**Editor:** Welcome, Mark Gurman! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the anticipated features of the next-generation iPad Air. With the recent reports from Bloomberg, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s dive in. First off, what can you tell us about the expected upgrade timeline for the iPad Air?
**Mark Gurman:** Thank you for having me. Apple appears to be accelerating the refresh cycle for the iPad Air, with a new model expected as early as spring 2025. This marks a significant shift from their previous 18-24 month update cycle. The recent introduction of the M2 chip suggests that they may be gearing up for a faster rollout of enhancements to keep pace with consumer demands.
**Editor:** That’s fascinating! One of the highlights is the development of a new Magic Keyboard specifically for the iPad Air. Can you share more about what consumers might expect from this addition?
**Mark Gurman:** Absolutely. This new Magic Keyboard is expected to offer an upgraded function row, improving overall usability. However, it won’t feature the premium aluminum top case seen in the latest iPad Pro version. Instead, the focus will be on functionality at a more accessible price point, which many consumers are eagerly hoping for.
**Editor:** Speaking of improvements, there are rumors about a potential upgraded display for the iPad Air. Can you elaborate on this?
**Mark Gurman:** Yes, there’s exciting speculation around a 90Hz refresh rate for the iPad Air’s LCD display. This could significantly enhance the user experience, especially for gaming and scrolling. However, it’s worth noting that some industry analysts, including display expert Ross Young, have not yet confirmed these claims, so it’s a wait-and-see situation.
**Editor:** And what about the chip upgrade? What are the expectations for the iPad Air’s processor?
**Mark Gurman:** Based on the trend, it’s likely that the next iPad Air will adopt the M3 chip. Given Apple’s pattern of staggered releases, this makes sense. There’s ongoing discussion about potentially moving to the M4, but the recent release of the A17 Pro chip in the iPad mini indicates a well-thought-out strategy that might lead them to utilize the existing M3 chips to balance production and supply chain needs.
**Editor:** Lastly, there’s been buzz about incorporating Face ID technology into the new iPad Air. Is this a feature we should look forward to?
**Mark Gurman:** There’s definitely potential for Face ID to be included, which would be a significant upgrade in terms of security and convenience. That said, Apple is known for being cautious with such changes, so we might have to wait a bit longer to see if they fully implement Face ID in this model.
**Editor:** Thank you, Mark, for sharing your insights on the upcoming iPad Air and its features. It will be interesting to see how these developments unfold as we approach the anticipated launch!
**Mark Gurman:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well.
