Apple Working on Larger iPad Air With 12.9-Inch Display

[MacRumors]

Apple is working on a larger iPad Air featuring a 12.9-inch display, in what would be the biggest iPad Air model to date, DigiTimes reports.

Citing industry sources, DigiTimes highlighted that unlike the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the 12.9-inch iPad Air will not feature a mini-LED display. The device will instead feature the same LCD technology used in the current, 10.9-inch iPad Air. The information was shared in DigiTimes' "Before Going to Press" section, so while information about the new device is currently limited, more will follow tomorrow.

The iPad Air has only ever been available in a single size, so presumably a 12.9-inch iPad Air would be offered in addition to a separate model with a smaller screen, just like how the iPad Pro is offered in both 11- and 12.9-inch variants. A recent rumor from 9to5Mac claimed that Apple was working on two sixth-generation iPad Air models. While the piece speculated that Apple could release a larger version of the ‌iPad Air‌ to go along with the current 10.9-inch version, DigiTimes' report is the first specific mention of a larger iPad Air variant.

Together, the rumors suggest that the 12.9-inch iPad Air could arrive sooner rather than later in the sixth incarnation of the device. The current iPad Air featuring the M1 chip launched over a year and a half ago, and a new model with the M2 chip is widely expected to launch in the coming months.

The current, 10.9-inch iPad Air is priced starting at $599, while the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799. A 12.9-inch iPad Air model would presumably be priced between these two products, but it is worth bearing in mind that Apple's next-generation iPad Pro models are rumored to see price hikes owing to their costly OLED display technology.

Article Link: Apple Working on Larger iPad Air With 12.9-Inch Display

 

[floral]

DigiTimes is a bit unreliable, isn't it?

 

[klasma]

This will be to catch the customers who can’t afford the OLED 12.9”.

 

[swiftapplefan]

So more options to buy from? Wouldn’t it get a little confusing? It’s either they drop the base iPad and make the iPad Air standard, or viceversa. Or, even better, only Air and Pro, which come in three sizes each, and an iPad SE with the rumoured plastic…

 

[TheNewLou]

Kinda weird how the Vision Pro will be eeking out every iota of performance from the M2 chip it will contain...

and yet an iPad Air with an M2 will probably see that M2 at 2% of CPU utilization for 99% of its life.

 

[JPack]

Yes, please!

This goes well with 15-inch MBA and iPhone 15 Plus.

 

[syklee26]

Why is Macrumors referencing anything from Digitimes? They have been unreliable for years now.

I do wish Apple release 14+ inch iPad pro soon. 15 is even better.

 

[subjonas]

Apple really seems to be filling out their product lines to serve smaller markets and niches, which is of course good for us consumers who want these choices, as long as Apple can handle producing and supporting all these products.

I’d be interested in a 12.9” Air if it retains Touch ID. I’d rather get a 12.9” Pro with Touch ID but that probably won’t be possible. I’m a niche.

 

[MayaUser]

So after 15" Mba, now the ipad air takes the same route

 

[CharlesShaw]

If it could be compatible with acce$$ories for current 12.9” Pro that would be helpful.

 

[MacDevil7334]

It’s good to see Apple recognizing that not everyone who wants a big screen also wants top-of-the-line internals. They now have options for those customers with iPhone and Mac, and it sounds like an iPad option will exist soon too.

 

[NMBob]

Wouldn't that be the iPad Downdraft? "Air" is kinda meaningless at that size.

 

[DHagan4755]

This is a page from the iPhone & MacBook strategy. I like this approach. The odd man out, like the 13" MacBook Pro, is the 10th gen iPad Apple released last fall. I get why it's there (because the non-laminated display is for easier repairability in education markets).

 

[thingstoponder]

I hope so. I want an iPad Pro but only because of the big screen. Don’t care about 120hz, cameras, LiDAR, miniLED, etc. especially with the rumor of OLED and a big price increase.

The Air would be perfect with its M1 and 8GB but I want the 12.9” screen.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

My only question...is why? 13 inch is already absurdly huge for a tablet. Why would you go bigger especially when the price of said iPad will probably exceed the 15 inch Macbook Air?

 

[abatabia]

iPads are such a mess right now. All over the place.

 

[jz0309]

more pencils, larger iPad Air, no new iPads in 2023, VPro coming - not really sure anymore where all of this is heading ...
but then, its Digitimes ...

 

[Duncan-UK]

This will be to catch the customers who can’t afford the OLED 12.9”.

Given how grossly over-priced the current Air is I question how many of such customers exist. Although of course if Apple were to hike the price of the Pro they could bring in the air at say £50 cheaper than the current Pro and Mac Rumors could use their usual powers of spin to proclaim how "affordable" it was...

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

Can we please just have the Air in 3 sizes and ditch the "mini"? Give us a 9 inch Air, 11 inch Air, and 13 inch Air. And then the Pros in 11 inch, 13 inch, and 15 inch. And then..... the low end one still in 11 (well, 10.9).... the lineup is.... fun.....

Throw in the 3 Apple Pencils, and the lineup is an absolute blast...

When iPad Pros and MacBooks hit M3, then drop M2 in Airs. And keep it 1 behind.

And I guess the lower end on A series.

Man, these lineups and the overlap has gotten really messy the last few years.

 

[NMBob]

more pencils, larger iPad Air, no new iPads in 2023, VPro coming - not really sure anymore where all of this is heading ...
but then, its Digitimes ...

Just don't call it the F-word. (Fragmentation)

 

[bunce66]

Apple is clearly doing EVERYTHING to juice the iPad sales, except for making the software usable. Make the screens bigger, add a fancy processor, more storage, etc. Due to the limitations of the OS, it's still less useful than a $400 Macbook from 2018.

 

[smulji]

The odd man out, like the 13" MacBook Pro, is the 10th gen iPad Apple released last fall

Disagree. the entry-level iPad serves a purpose and I'm betting the 9th gen iPad with the home button & lightening port gets discontinued next year. This will leave 3 lines for iPad:

Good (iPad)
Better (iPad Air)
Best (iPad Pro)

 

[adamlbiscuit]

I think at this stage we need less iPads in the lineup and not more!

 

[Sasparilla]

This will be to catch the customers who can’t afford the OLED 12.9”.

As long the price is significantly lower there should be a market for this...assuming this pans out.

 

[Orange Bat]

I would seriously consider a 12.9 inch Air. I don’t really have a need for an iPad Pro, but I wouldn’t mind a slightly larger Air. They just need to keep it at a decent price, and a less expensive keyboard would go a long way as well.