The current iPad Air boasts a 10.9-inch display, but recent reports suggest that Apple is gearing up to launch a 12.9-inch model, aligning it with the iPad Pro’s size. Shipments for the larger variant are slated to commence later this month, hinting at a potentially earlier release than initially expected.
Renowned display analyst Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), anticipates Apple’s unveiling of the larger iPad Air ahead of schedule. If this materializes, it will mark the first instance of such a product in Apple’s iPad lineup.
Despite potential confusion over a 12.9-inch iPad Air alongside existing models, key differences are expected to set it apart from the iPad Pro series. A notable contrast lies in the display technology, with iPad Pro models poised to shift from mini-LED to OLED in the coming year, promising enhanced contrast, deeper blacks, heightened brightness, and more. In contrast, the iPad Air is set to retain its “Liquid Retina” IPS LCD screen.
Furthermore, the iPad Air is likely to lack ProMotion technology, leaving the iPad Pro lineup as the sole bearer of support for high refresh rate panels. The transition to OLED for the iPad Pro models may result in slimmer bezels and a more modern design, while the iPad Air’s IPS LCD display imposes constraints on bezel size.
According to Young, OLED shipments for the iPad Pro are expected to commence in January. The anticipation is that these new tablets will be officially announced in the first quarter of 2024, revealing more details about their specifications and designs. Stay tuned for further updates.
