New iPad Pro and iPad Air models are now said to arrive in early May, as Apple’s oft-rumored but yet-to-be-unveiled devices. As leaked countless times, the new iPad Pro tablets will have OLED screens, while the iPad Air will be offered in two sizes, for the first time in history.
The previous iPad Pros were introduced almost a year and a half ago, marking the longest gap in Apple’s tablet history without a new model. OLED screens will make them extremely thin, so the wait will be worth it.
There appears to have been an increase in production ahead of the launch. These sales are expected to help Apple revive its tablet business, which has fallen in each of its last two fiscal years. During the last holiday season, iPads also decreased by 25% year-over-year, despite their popularity in the past.
In addition to the M3 chip, iPad Pros will have redesigned Magic Keyboards and Apple Pencils – the latter may even be compatible with the Vision Pro headset. A new processor and an additional 12.9-inch screen will also be added to the iPad Air, allowing people to buy a bigger iPad without spending more money.
Apple initially planned to release these new tablets by the end of March, but has been “finishing software” for them, which could explain the delay. OLED screens, which require complex new manufacturing techniques, may have contributed as well.
