New iPad 2023

How big will the next iPad Pro be? Bigger than this 12.9-inch model?

David Phelan

A new report claims that a new iPad Pro will be here in less than a year and will have the biggest-ever screen on an Apple tablet.

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When Apple released the first iPad Pro, with its 12.9-inch display, in late 2015, it seemed impossibly big. A bigger screen than the 12-inch MacBook, for goodness sake. Here’s what we think is coming.

Size is everything

According to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), in a new tweet, Apple is working on an iPad Pro with a 14.1-inch display. Young believes it could be here as soon as early 2023. Young says, “Confirmed the 14.1" iPad Pro is being developed with our supply chain sources.”

I mean, that’s enormous.

Won’t it be too big to handle?

Well, it’s a good question. When Apple replaced the first iPad Pro with the current, flat-edged design, the 12.9-inch Pro shrank, thanks to the thinner bezels and the absence of a Touch ID button on the front.

But there’s a limit to how thin those bezels can get and still house the Face ID camera that sits on the front of the tablet. Adding an extra 1.2 inches to the display size would be hard to squeeze into something the same size as now, so expect this iPad to be really big.

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What will the display look like?

It seems, according to Young, that it will be the same screen tech as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro. He says, “It will have MiniLEDs and ProMotion.” That means it will have the same super-bright and colorful display as now, with the dynamic refresh rate that makes for a super-smooth experience.

When can we expect it?

Young says, “Not sure of the timing, but early 2023 may be more likely.” That’s interesting. There had been rumors of a new iPad Pro this fall, as the last one emerged in May 2021 and Apple often favors 18-month refreshes on its iPads Pro. However, for sure, if an iPad Pro lands this year, there definitely won’t be one in early 2023, or any time next year, I’d say.

Unless, that is, it’s an addition to the range, not a replacement for an existing model. Which seems to be what Ross is predicting.

What’s the rest of the range going to be?

Young says that eventually the range will be “11-inch OLED, 12.9-inch OLED and 14.1-inch miniLED.” That seems like quite a big range to me, and I’d have thought sticking with just two might be ample. Especially if Apple decided that the 11-inch tablet would be an iPad Air. After all, the current 10.9-inch iPad Air might be deemed to be the most useful tablet at that size, and save the Pro for the larger screens.

This is an intriguing prospect, especially if, as Young thinks, we could see the big tablet in less than a year.

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New iPad 2023

So you fancy buying an iPad. But what about the next iPad? What if when you plonk down your cash, Apple releases an updated version, packed full of new features, and also gives you a free magic hat? That’s the dilemma. Apart from the bit about the magic hat – we’re pretty sure Apple won’t do that.

This article can help. For each iPad model we’ve dug into the current state of play, explored the rumours emanating from the industry’s guessing trousers, and provided a handy ‘Stuff says’ buying recommendation.

iPad

New iPad 2023

The state of play: In September 2021, Apple released the ninth iteration of the iPad. It’s the only one that still resembles the first, with its Home button, chunky screen bezel and headphone port.

What’s next: Not much. Those in the know reckon Apple will this year shove an A14 into the existing iPad, which will boost its power and bring Wi-Fi 6/Bluetooth 5 support. A full redesign is rumoured for 2023, which would presumably see the vanilla iPad finally ditch the Home button. We could also see the iPad ditch the curved edges and opt for a more updated flat-side design, if a CAD render leaked by mysmartprice is to be believed.

Stuff says: The current iPad design is charitably described as ‘classic’ and ‘familiar’, but at some point must go all-screen – and ideally get a laminated display too. This year, though, buy one whenever if you want one; an A14 won’t move the needle that much.

iPad Mini

New iPad 2023

The state of play: The iPad Mini’s long been an enigma regarding release frequency and positioning. But Apple vastly improved its tiniest iPad with September 2021’s 6th-gen, more or less transforming it into an iPad Air Mini. There’s an A15 inside that tiny frame – but scrolling can be jiggly in portrait. Tsk.

What’s next: The main rumour swirling around is the 7th-gen iPad Mini getting a 120Hz ProMotion display, which will handily boot ‘jelly scrolling’ concerns into the sun. No-one’s prediction parrot has parped precisely when this’ll rock up, mind.

Stuff says: Removing the most overt flaw from the iPad Mini would be good. But who knows when it’ll happen? So if you want one, buy it now.

iPad Air

New iPad 2023

The state of play: In March 2022, the iPad Air played catch-up with the Mini (better camera; 5G) – and then blazed past by way of the surprise addition of an M1 chip. 64GB entry-level storage was the only major snag.

What’s next: Few rumours knocking around here. ProMotion is the most obvious drip-down tech. And if the iPad Pro 11in disappears, the Air getting four speakers would be a blast.

Stuff says: We doubt this unit will get updated any time soon, and so if you want one, ask that nice Mr Cook to send one your way today.

iPad Pro

New iPad 2023

The state of play: The ultimate iPad was last revamped in April 2021, gaining an M1 chip and – in its 12.9in form – an eye-popping mini-LED display. It’s pricey and the 12.9in model is weighty – but it’s also brilliant.

What’s next: An M2 chip upgrade to match Apple’s entry-level Macs is a cert. There are also rumours about MagSafe charging (possibly through a glass Apple logo) and reverse wireless charging for other Apple devices. 

Venturing further into the weeds, the rumour mill churns up OLED iPad Pro panels (but probably not in 2022), a unit even bigger than the 12.9 model (which begs the question: why?), and the 11in not getting a mini-LED update. Boo and hiss.

An autumn 2022 update is mooted for at least some of this stuff, with intriguing rumours that the 11in iPad Pro might be scrapped entirely. Is the arrival of a new iPad Pro related to the delay we’re hearing about with iPadOS 16?

Stuff says: The iPad Pro is a big investment. The hardware quality is such you can’t go wrong if you buy now, but if you don’t need one urgently, maybe wait; also use your innate psychic powers to convince Apple to put the selfie cam on the long edge, so you don’t look all distracted as you appear to gaze off to the side during video calls.

iPadOS 16

New iPad 2023

Regardless of which iPads above are released next, any new model will be running the latest and greatest version of iPadOS — in this instance, iPadOS 16.

Revealed at Apple’s 2022 WWDC developer event, it will be landing on most iPads later this year (though you can download a beta now). The fourth generation of the company’s tablet-specific OS, it’s rammed with all sorts of new features to help elevate the iPad experience.

For starters, as with iOS 16, there are lock screen changes that give you more control over your notifications. There are also improved tools for syncing with other devices. Apple Maps, for example, lets you send directions from your iPad to your iPhone. A new Reference Mode also lets your iPad’s screen colours sync up with those of other displays, which is a handy feature for professional colour work. 

App-specific updates are also thrown in, with a new Mail app letting you schedule and retract emails, as well as set reminders for emails you’d rather deal with later.

One of the most exciting changes though, is Stage Manager, which provides a more desktop-like experience, thanks to the ability to have overlapping and resizable windows. You can also move all of your background apps to the side to get a better overview of what you’re currently using, which is a godsend for multitaskers. This feature will, however, only work on iPad models with the M1 chip or later. Stage Manager also lets you connect your iPad to an external monitor, which is another welcome feature.

FreeForm — a new OneNote-like app for macOS Ventura — is also landing on iPadOS 16, letting you scribble notes and annotate pictures and jot down ideas, before sharing them with others, if you so wish.

Things are improved on the gaming front too, with a new feature called Metal 3 which upscales the resolution while boosting the framerate for a more premium gaming experience. Certain titles like No Man’s Sky are also arriving on iPad and macOS later this year.

Lastly, Game Center lets you see what games your friends are playing, as well as how many hours they’ve invested and achievements they’ve earned.

As for which existing iPads will get iOS 16, Apple has shared an official list:

  • iPad (fifth generation) and newer
  • iPad Mini (fifth generation) and newer
  • iPad Air (third generation) and newer
  • All iPad Pro models
  • More of a Mac fan? The latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro rumours

Is a new iPad coming out in 2023?

For the time being, it is unlikely to see a release before 2023. According to prominent display analyst and industry insider Ross Young, the 14-inch iPad could make its debut sometime in the first quarter of 2023.

Will there be a new iPad 2022?

With the Apple September event “Far Out” of sight, the company is set to release another generation of iPad Pro in 2022. More than a year after the model with the M1 chip, miniLED display, and 5G support was first introduced, the company is rumored to launch an even better iPad Pro this year with the M2 chip.

Will there be an iPad 10th generation?

10th-generation iPad release date: When will the new iPad arrive? Apple has settled into a groove since the switch from the 9.7-inch iPad to the larger 10.2-inch format. Usually you'll find them being unveiled in September, as you can see from the timing of the last few launches (see below):

Will the iPad Air get an update 2022?

Apple's 2022 iPad Air features a 10.9-inch display, Touch ID power button, M1 chip, new color options, and 5G connectivity.