2023 Might Be a Year to Wait on the iPad

Apple’s App for iPad hasn’t seen any new additions in 2023, although new iPhones and Apple Watches are coming this week. Based on reports so far, there won’t be any more iPads for the rest of the year, making 2023 the first year Apple has gone without a new iPad since it launched in 2010.

Recent reports by Mark Gurman, Apple’s trusted reporter at Bloomberg, indicate that a new line of iPad Pro models is coming in 2024 with more changes than the top tablets have seen in years. These changes include OLED displays, new keyboards, and new M3 processors similar to what Apple is expected to reveal in its next generation Mac. Apple’s trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also recently added that new iPads of any kind will not be available this year, signaling a delay in the entire series.

There is always a chance that Apple may announce iPads as they usually do in October, but even if this happens, it would be better to hold off on buying new iPads until the new models arrive…

In 2022, there were four new iPads: the iPad Air in the spring, and the 10th-gen model and iPad Pros in late October. Sales on current iPads may make sense for budget shoppers this year, but waiting until October, if you can, makes more sense.

Will we see a promotion heading into 2023? Wait and see

The current iPad Pro series is expensive, currently starting at $800, and there are no significant add-ons. If you’re thinking about a high-end iPad, something that could be a supercomputer, it’s better to wait before splurging.

On the other hand, most people just want an affordable iPad, and those models may receive a small upgrade this fall. The obvious successor could be the new iPad Air, which could feature a better M2 processor and possibly a front-facing camera setup for video chat, similar to the iPad 10 from last year.

If Apple makes this possible, the Air could be a better device than the iPad Pro for many people, especially if the price is reasonable. That’s how I felt about the M1-ready Air when it arrived, and it’s still my favorite iPad model, even though the price is still far from “budget.”

For entry-level iPad buyers, the good news is that last year’s 10th-gen, if it’s on sale, is a good choice for many. The aging 9th-gen model may still be worth selling, but I wonder if Apple can make it obsolete in 2024.

2024 iPad Pro: OLED, M3 chip, new keyboard and $$$

According to Gurman in his latest newsletter, the 13- and 11-inch iPad Pro models expected next year will switch to OLED displays instead of Mini LED, following companies like Samsung who have already made the switch. Apple’s iPhones already use OLED displays for better contrast and more flexible colors with HDR. Using OLED for iPad screens can provide the same benefits.

An upgrade to Apple’s yet-to-be-released but highly-anticipated M3 processor should obviously boost performance, although the latest iPad Pro is already fast in my experience.

Finally, there are expected design changes from Apple itself in the Magic Keyboard accessory, which can be plugged in and opened like a regular laptop and have a large trackpad, similar to old Brydge iPad keyboard accessories.

None of these changes are groundbreaking, and they likely won’t change the way iPad Pro users work. But they will be welcomed upgrades for those looking to wait. It may also lead to a review of all iPad models.

If 2024 is a turning point for iPads, then 2023 could feel like the end of the past, especially since the iPad Air and entry-level iPads tend to receive minor upgrades compared to the Pro line.

Will Apple update iPadOS in the future?

What do we already know? iPadOS 17 can do it. By all means, download it to your iPad: it has a lot of functionality, a lot of extras and home screen, but in many ways, it’s the same. Apple keeps MacOS and iPadOS closely tied together without merging the two, even though the iPad Pro and Mac models share the same processors.

There’s always the possibility that Apple could move the iPad Pro series into Mac-esque territory, but that will depend on software changes, not hardware. The iPad Pro already has a lot of power. However, if you’re hoping to see the future of Apple iPads, it seems that 2024 will be the year.

There is no perfect iPad yet

As of now, there is no “best” iPad. The cheapest iPad has older hardware, including a Lightning port instead of USB-C and an older processor. The 10th-gen iPad comes close, but it’s more expensive and still uses the old first-gen Pencil as its input method, which is odd. The iPad Air and Pro models lack the front-facing camera placement of the 10th-gen model, which is more useful for video chats when using the keyboard-based interface.

Perhaps Apple will simplify its entry-level to mid-range lineup later this fall and make decision-making easier. But when it comes to the iPad Pro, it seems that there will be no updates, leaving consumers to wait until 2024 to truly experience the difference between Apple’s innovations and the rest.

It’s always tough to wait, but if you’re waiting for the “new” iPad, this may not be your year. However, if you’re shopping on a budget, you may be content with the current options.