Early 2024 launch of 12.9-inch iPad rumored by Kuo

Apple's 2024 updates to its iPad lineup will include a new model of iPad Air, claims a prominent Apple analyst, with a new 12.9-inch variant supposedly on the way.

Apple is widely rumored to be bringing out new iPad models sometime in 2024, with most of the attention being on the iPad mini and iPad Pro. In a report by TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, it seems that the often overlooked iPad Air could get another option.

In Sunday's Medium post, Kuo writes that two iPad Air models are scheduled for mass production in the first quarter of 2024. The 10.9-inch model will be joined by a 12.9-inch version, which won't have the mini-LED tech of its iPad Pro counterpart, but will still get some benefits from using the same-spec Oxide backplane.

This is not the first time a larger iPad Air has been proposed in rumors. In October, a report made the same size claim.

Kuo also offers that there will be two OLED iPad Pro models replacing the mini-LED versions in late Q1 or Q2 of 2024. The models will include new form factor designs, an M3 processor, and the OLED panel will adopt a Tandem design with LTPO backplanes.

Mass production of the OLED versions will be delayed to Q1 or Q2 versus early Q1 in planning, which is apparently down to OLED panel issues.

Kuo warns that, if the price of the new 10.9-inch iPad Air is unchanged, and if the 12.9-inch iPad Air is "definitely more expensive," Apple could increase the price of the OLED iPad Pro models to "maintain the price gap" between the ranges.

On the "more affordable models," Kuo believes mass production of a new iPad mini is delayed into the second half of 2024, versus a previous prediction of Q1. The 11th-gen iPad will also be mass produced in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, Kuo thinks the ninth-gen iPad's production will "go to end-of-life" before the end of 2024.

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14 Comments

tht 5654 comments · 23 Years

About 1 year ago

Yup. Looks like iPad Pro OLED models will move up by $200.

$600 iPA10.9 LCD
$800 iPA12.9 LCD
$1000 iPP11 OLED
$1200 iPP12.9 OLED

I do think the iPP models have go up in size, and change aspect ratio to differentiate even further, and more obviously. Say 5:4 aspect ratio at 11.5” and 14”.

discountopinion 108 comments · 9 Years

So Apple would use screen quality and potentially SoC version as the differentiators between Pro and Air?

Hmm does not seem like a very smart move to do an unforced error of cannibalising their Pro line. Do they really have that much competitive pressure?

Maybe if they drop the small Pro iPad, make the current 12.9 the smaller Pro and launch a larger iPad Pro with an effective screen size of 16 inches to match the MacBook Pro. Go titanium for the body to reduce weight plus OLED screen and M3 and M3 Pro for the largest iPad. Make the largest IPad Pro a stealth hybrid machine positioning.

blastdoor 3594 comments · 15 Years

Excellent! That’s what I want to replace my A10X based 12.9 inch iPad Pro.

discountopinion said:

So Apple would use screen quality and potentially SoC version as the differentiators between Pro and Air?

Hmm does not seem like a very smart move to do an unforced error of cannibalising their Pro line. Do they really have that much competitive pressure?

Maybe if they drop the small Pro iPad, make the current 12.9 the smaller Pro and launch a larger iPad Pro with an effective screen size of 16 inches to match the MacBook Pro. Go titanium for the body to reduce weight plus OLED screen and M3 and M3 Pro for the largest iPad. Make the largest IPad Pro a stealth hybrid machine positioning.

Apple uses screen quality and SoC versions to differentiate between Pro and Air all the time. Is it really a question?

I think the largest problem with the iPad lineup is that iPadOS doesn't have enough functionality to drive sales of more expensive iPads. They are trying, finally putting LP and FCP on iPadOS, but they still have to go yet further. Xcode.app and Terminal.app have to come to iPadOS, including user loading of CLI tools and libraries. Then, support for VMs. They have to go all the way, especially with VisionOS being so close to iPadOS.

Once the prices get to the $1300, $1600, $2000+ range, you really need to let users compute as freely as they can. Definitely think they need to have larger iPP displays to further differentiate from iPA10.9 and iPP12.9 models.

$600 iPA10.9 LCD M2 8GB RAM
$800 iPA12.9 LCD M2 8GB
$1000 iPP11 OLED M3 8GB
$1500 iPP14 OLED M3 8GB?

kestral 306 comments · 23 Years

Upping the hardware specs of an iPad will not deliver the biggest bang.

If they really want to make an impact they need to upgrade the iOS and make it a capable OS like macOS.

Otherwise the iPad is just an overgrown iPhone.