Which iPads will Apple release in 2023 and what improvements can you expect? We look ahead to this year's new models, such as the iPad mini and iPad Air. 
Gonny van der Zwaag | iCulture.nl – 9 January 2023, 13:58 whatsappfacebooktwittertelegramlinkedinmailprint
In 2022, Apple released no less than three new iPads: the iPad Air 2022 came in April, followed by the completely redesigned standard iPad 2022 in October and the iPad Pro with M2 chip. Can we expect updates again this year and what are the new features? In this article, we look ahead at the iPads that Apple will probably release in 2023 and what innovations we can expect.
- Models
- Design
- Performance
- Display
- Features
- Release
- Price
Looking Ahead to 2023 Each week in this series of articles, we take a look ahead at Apple's new products for the year ahead. We summarize weekly what you can expect in terms of the different product categories. From the latest rumors to predictions based on the previous versions: with this preview you know what to expect. This week is all about the iPad.
#1 iPad in 2023: which models will get an update?
Apple has a total of four different iPad models lines. Here are the latest developments for each model:
- The standard iPad has recently been completely redesigned to match the rest of the iPad models. The price has also gone up considerably, making it no longer an entry-level model for everyone. We expect the design to remain the same in 2023 and that there may only be a small improvement in specs. Will the iPad 2021 with the old design also remain on the market? That is the question.
- The iPad Air is the ideal model for people who cannot choose. It offers powerful functions and has almost all the advantages of the Pro models, but at a lower price. It is quite possible that the Air will not get an update this year.
- The iPad Pro is now equipped with an M2 chip, making it a very powerful tablet. However, the rest remained the same. It is quite possible that no new iPad Pro will be released in 2023. Last time there was 18 months between the new models, so that would mean that we will not get a successor until May 2024.
- The iPad mini was the only one not to receive an update in 2022. Apple may release a small specs update in 2023, with the design remaining the same. We should not expect major changes here.
#2 Design of the iPads in 2023
All iPads now feature the new flat-sided design. We expect Apple to stick to this for a while. If updates are released for the various models, it will mainly concern internal improvements, such as a newer processor. We could possibly expect some new colors with the standard iPad and with the iPad Air. If there's one device that needs a redesign, it's the iPad Pro. It was the first with the new design and has not had any changes since 2018.
#3 Performance of iPads in 2023
In terms of performance, all models are likely to improve. This is the easiest way for Apple to update an existing product. With the iPad Pro we could then see the switch from an M2 chip to an M3 chip. The M3 chip is made by TSMC using a 3 nanometer process, with improvements in performance and power consumption. The first Apple devices with M3 chips are expected in the second half of 2023. It is possible that Apple will immediately use this chip in the iPad Pro, but we would not be surprised if Apple waits until early 2024.
Apple may also add more RAM and more storage. With more RAM, the iPad can handle more demanding gaming, video, and design tasks, making it a better alternative to a computer. And while the iPad Pro has plenty of storage options, the rest of the iPad lineup doesn't. For example, you can get more storage on the iPhone 14 (512GB) than on the standard iPad (256GB). Moreover, the choice is often very small: with the standard iPad you can choose from 64GB or 256GB, but not the much more affordable option 128GB.
#4 Displays of the iPads in 2023
Especially in the field of screens, something nice can be expected in 2023. According to analyst Ross Young, Apple is working on a much larger 14.1-inch iPad Pro, following rumored Majin Bu. Incidentally, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg already mentioned the larger size in June 2021. This is a lot larger than the current maximum size of 12.9 inches that we have been used to since the beginning. The screen of your iPad could then become larger than that of an average MacBook. This will not be a portable tablet, but more one that you use in and around the house for work. Apple could sell new accessories that make it easier to use your iPad on the desk. Whether there is much demand for such a larger iPad?
Incidentally, there are also indications that Apple will not release a larger screen after all. Ross Young thinks Apple scrapped or postponed the plans.
Another frequently heard rumor is that Apple wants to use OLED screens in the iPads. There have been a lot of rumors about it, although they mainly point to an introduction in 2024. The OLED screens that Apple wants to use would result in thinner and lighter tablets, with narrower screen edges. The screen size can then go up to, for example, 11.1-inch and 13.0-inch. It makes sense that Apple is the first model to equip the iPad Pro with an OLED screen, because the same approach has already been used with iPhones. The most expensive model with the best specifications then gets the best screen, after which the cheaper models gradually follow. But as said: it may take until 2024 before that happens.
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#5 Features in the iPads 2023: these improvements could be coming
As far as features are concerned, it remains to be seen. If there are noticeable new features, the iPad Pro will often be the first to get them. And therein lies the problem: it is quite possible that Apple will not release a new iPad Pro at all in 2023, but will wait until early 2024.
Glass back with wireless charging?
All iPads have now switched to USB-C, so we can cross that function off. However, there has been talk for a while about a glass back to enable wireless charging. Whether this also means that MagSafe will be supported remains to be seen.
FaceTime camera on the long side
The standard iPad 2022 was the first to get it: a FaceTime camera on the long side. This makes it possible to be better in the picture during video calls. You sit a bit to the right in front of the camera and the image no longer seems to come from the side. Other iPads should also get this, although there is a problem: how does Apple ensure that charging the Apple Pencil 2 from the side remains possible? An interesting problem that the designers of Apple probably know a solution for.
Landscape becomes the default
A related development is that Apple is increasingly taking into account that you will use the iPad in landscape view. This was already apparent from the relocation of the volume buttons on the iPad mini. Moving the FaceTime camera to the long side is also related to this.
Apple Pencil 1 will continue
What we don't expect is that the standard iPad will get support for the Apple Pencil. In 2022, Apple introduced the clumsy solution with adapters to use the Apple Pencil 1 in combination with the USB-C port. Apple probably sticks to this, because adjusting the internal components takes too much effort. Incidentally, Apple itself gave the argument that customers did not have to purchase a new Apple Pencil, which saves costs. But on the other hand, Apple saddled users with extra costs: the tablet itself became $200 more expensive, you have to buy an adapter for $10 to use your Apple Pencil 1 at all, and the Magic Keyboard Folio costs even more. once €300 extra.
iPad speaker dock
It's a somewhat strange rumor, but because Mark Gurman says it, we have to take it seriously. Apple would be happy to release an iPad speaker dock that turns the tablet into a smart screen, similar to Amazon's Echo Show and the Google Nest Hub Max. Apple could take a leap forward in smart home devices that way. They already have a HomePod and Apple TV, but nothing quite like the Echo Show.
Augmented reality features
Maybe after reading all this you already got the impression that we shouldn't be talking about the hardware in 2023. Perhaps the real innovations can be found in the field of software? Even then we have to disappoint you: Apple would have put all the energy into xrOS, the operating system of the augmented reality glasses. As a result, engineers have been taken from other projects and we should not expect major changes for iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. Still, it doesn't quite mean a lost year. Apple would also be working on all kinds of augmented reality functions, which are partly intended for the headset, but also work on existing Apple devices. For example, you could scan products in the Apple Store and then see more details with augmented reality. augmented reality… it could be very big in 2023!
#6 Release of new iPads in 2023
Apple usually releases new iPads throughout the year, but everything is different in 2023. Based on the latest rumours, we believe this is the schedule:
- Standard iPad: Fall 2023 or later in 2024
- iPad Air: During 2024< /li>
- iPad Pro: Spring 2024
- iPad mini: Fall 2023 or Spring 2024
The iPad mini was the only one not to receive an update in 2022, so theoretically it would be the first to receive a minor refresh, with a new chip and other minor improvements, such as a new location for the FaceTime camera. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, however, the question is whether the iPad mini will receive an update. Rather, he sees mass production starting at the end of 2023 and release at the beginning of 2024.
#7 Price of iPads in 2023
In terms of price, we don't think Apple will make many changes. Prices have already gone up sharply in 2022 and Apple would frustrate users even more by raising prices further. We count on these prices:
- Standard iPad: from €589.45
- iPad Air: from €789.45
- iPad Pro: from €1069.45
- iPad mini: from €659.45
So there really isn't much point in waiting for the new models, given that most updates are expected in 2024. If you can't wait and need an iPad now, check out our iPad comparison to choose the best model. If you want to buy a new iPad, you will find all current prices in our overview.
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