All iPads 12.9/13 inch Users (Or Prospective Users): Will The Availability of a 12.9-inch iPad Air Dissuade You From Going Pro?

[Yebubbleman]

I know I'm not the only person intrigued by the idea of a 12.9-inch iPad Air. Especially considering that my use cases for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro today don't really make much use of the features that currently set the iPad Pro line apart from the iPad Air. But I know that there are several 12.9-inch iPad Pro users out there for whom those iPad Pro specific features are totally essential. We've long since had the choice between iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro in terms of which 10.9/11-inch iPad to choose; those who want ProMotion, FaceID, better speakers, the two cameras with LiDAR scanner, higher-end storage options, Thunderbolt, etc, all have the option of buying that higher-end model. We've never had that option for the 12.9-inch iPad. If you want/need a larger screen, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the only option.

So, my question to you all is this: Whether you are a prospective first-time 12.9/13-inch iPad customer or whether this is an Apple product that is integral to your tech arsenal (or whether you're somewhere in between), will the availability of a 12.9/13-inch iPad Air dissuade you from buying the 12.9/13-inch iPad Pro? Or will you still go with the iPad Pro? What will be your determining factor?

 

[Rambaldi]

I'm going 12.9/13'' for the first time this iPad cycle, and I'm planning on going Pro. OLED is too big of an upgrade for me, and since I go a few cycles before upgrading iPads, I'm fine to spend a little extra. Unless the Pro price hike is more than $200/300, I'm pretty confident I'll go Pro.

 

[LoveToMacRumors]

I need 120hz

 

[Yebubbleman]

I'm going 12.9/13'' for the first time this iPad cycle, and I'm planning on going Pro. OLED is too big of an upgrade for me, and since I go a few cycles before upgrading iPads, I'm fine to spend a little extra. Unless the Pro price hike is more than $200/300, I'm pretty confident I'll go Pro.

Using 256GB as a capacity metric (since that storage capacity has been the only one that the Air and Pro have had since the "iPad Air" brand returned five years ago [holy crap, that was five years ago...woah]):

The current 256GB iPad Air is $749 for Wi-Fi Only and $899 for Cellular

The current 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro is $899 for Wi-Fi Only and $1099 for Cellular

The current 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $1199 for Wi-Fi Only and $1399 for Cellular

If we were making everything proportionate and consistent, and assuming the price-points stayed the same (which would seem to go counter to most of the rumors so far), that would peg the 12.9-inch iPad Air to cost, at least in terms of the current lineup, around $1049 for Wi-Fi Only and $1199 for Cellular. I could see the Pro features costing $150 as an upgrade over the Air. Figure a 64GB (if they don't have the mercy to have 128GB be the low-end config instead of 64GB) configuration would start at $899. That's not great (especially considering a 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ matches a lot of those specs and costs $999), but also not terrible considering the fact that the iPad Pro is rumored to jump in price with this next update.

 

[Rambaldi]

Using 256GB as a capacity metric (since that storage capacity has been the only one that the Air and Pro have had since the "iPad Air" brand returned five years ago [holy crap, that was five years ago...woah]):

The current 256GB iPad Air is $749 for Wi-Fi Only and $899 for Cellular

The current 256GB 11-inch iPad Pro is $899 for Wi-Fi Only and $1099 for Cellular

The current 256GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro is $1199 for Wi-Fi Only and $1399 for Cellular

If we were making everything proportionate and consistent, and assuming the price-points stayed the same (which would seem to go counter to most of the rumors so far), that would peg the 12.9-inch iPad Air to cost, at least in terms of the current lineup, around $1049 for Wi-Fi Only and $1199 for Cellular. I could see the Pro features costing $150 as an upgrade over the Air. Figure a 64GB (if they don't have the mercy to have 128GB be the low-end config instead of 64GB) configuration would start at $899. That's not great (especially considering a 256GB Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ matches a lot of those specs and costs $999), but also not terrible considering the fact that the iPad Pro is rumored to jump in price with this next update.

With the addition of the 13" Air, I'm thinking the price lineup is going to look something like this:

Wi-Fi Only Models:
iPad Air (M2) 11": $599 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Air (M2) 13": $899 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 11": $999 (256GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 13": $1299 (256GB starting storage)

 

[Yebubbleman]

With the addition of the 13" Air, I'm thinking the price lineup is going to look something like this:

Wi-Fi Only Models:
iPad Air (M2) 11": $599 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Air (M2) 13": $899 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 11": $999 (256GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 13": $1299 (256GB starting storage)

I think if 256GB was the starting capacity, that'd make the iPad Pros a whole lot more reasonable. I just don't see that happening, sadly. 64GB on a 12.9/13-inch iPad Air seems like a slap in the face, especially for that cost, and especially since Samsung's competitor to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is cheaper and looks way nicer in person. I know Apple products generally cost more than the competition, but it seems particularly noticeable in 12-13-inch tablet-land.

 

[Rambaldi]

I think if 256GB was the starting capacity, that'd make the iPad Pros a whole lot more reasonable. I just don't see that happening, sadly. 64GB on a 12.9/13-inch iPad Air seems like a slap in the face, especially for that cost, and especially since Samsung's competitor to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is cheaper and looks way nicer in person. I know Apple products generally cost more than the competition, but it seems particularly noticeable in 12-13-inch tablet-land.

My rationale for the increase in base storage is that if Apple is going to raise prices by as much as $200 and the only major new feature is OLED, throwing in some extra storage for "free" smooths things over a bit. But maybe Apple thinks consumers won't balk at $1000+ and 128GB on an iPad.

As far as the Air goes, I really think they stay at 64GB for price ladder reasons, as ridiculous as 64GB are these days. Maybe the 13" starts at 128GB, but the 11" stays at 64GB.

 

[Yebubbleman]

My rationale for the increase in base storage is that if Apple is going to raise prices by as much as $200 and the only major new feature is OLED, throwing in some extra storage for "free" smooths things over a bit. But maybe Apple thinks consumers won't balk at $1000+ and 128GB on an iPad.

They haven't balked at two generations of 128GB 12.9-inch iPad Pro costing $1099.

As far as the Air goes, I really think they stay at 64GB for price ladder reasons, as ridiculous as 64GB are these days. Maybe the 13" starts at 128GB, but the 11" stays at 64GB.

The 12.9/13-inch Air starting at 128GB for $899 would be very compelling. I'd probably still want 256GB, but I'd probably shell out $999 for that. Spending over $1000 (before tax, AppleCare+, etc.) on a 256GB iPad still seems wrong to me. Hats off to anyone who can afford that, but I have a hard time justifying the spend and I instead find myself eying the Apple Certified Refurbished Wi-Fi Only version of the 256GB 2021/M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $979, as that's barely below the threshold.

 

[UltimateSyn]

The poll setup phrasing is a little wonky so I’m not going to vote on it.

But I’d still get the Pro. OLED and ProMotion would be the biggest driving factors for me.

 

[Yebubbleman]

The poll setup phrasing is a little wonky so I’m not going to vote on it.

Aww, crap. You're totally right. My apologies. I guess ignore the "Yes" in the second option (or swap "Yes" for "No" in both answer choices) for it to mean as intended?

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Surely it’ll convert SOME Pro users… question is, will it convert enough “more” smaller Air/standard users to justify it?

 

[Yebubbleman]

Surely it’ll convert SOME Pro users… question is, will it convert enough “more” smaller Air/standard users to justify it?

You mean "will the 12.9/13-inch iPad Air convert enough 10.9" Air users"? I guess that implies that folks don't shop for the screen size of their iPad first and foremost, which is an interesting notion to me.

 

[boak]

With the addition of the 13" Air, I'm thinking the price lineup is going to look something like this:

Wi-Fi Only Models:
iPad Air (M2) 11": $599 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Air (M2) 13": $899 (64GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 11": $999 (256GB starting storage)
iPad Pro (M3) 13": $1299 (256GB starting storage)

Screen size price difference will only be $200 max. Current iPad Pro models have a $300 difference because of mini LED.

 

[Rambaldi]

Screen size price difference will only be $200 max. Current iPad Pro models have a $300 difference because of mini LED.

I would really love to believe this, but the fact that it's been this way for a few years now, plus a likely price increase due to OLED, I wouldn't be surprised if we stayed at a $300 difference.

 

[Ludatyk]

I would really love to believe this, but the fact that it's been this way for a few years now, plus a likely price increase due to OLED, I wouldn't be surprised if we stayed at a $300 difference.

But the $300 price increase for the 12.9” model was due to the Mini-LED. For the years Apple has announced the Pros before Mini-LED it never gotten over $200.

Now that both have OLED…. I think that could change.

 

[Yebubbleman]

I would really love to believe this, but the fact that it's been this way for a few years now, plus a likely price increase due to OLED, I wouldn't be surprised if we stayed at a $300 difference.

Seems likely. Apple doesn't usually narrow price gaps just because the inciting reason for the increase in price gap in the first place is rendered moot.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

The starting price of the 64GB 12.9" Air will entice a lot to consider it over the much more expensive 12.9" OLED M3 iPad Pro.

Way lower price, same display size and dimensions, 8GB RAM, and most features that the Pros have.

But then having already agreed to spend a good amount on just getting the 12.9" Air over the 10.9" Air, the 64GB internal storage the 12.9" Air comes with is just too little for something that you actually want to use.

So you opt for the 256GB 12.9" Air and then you've suddenly spent a good amount more than the 11" OLED M3 iPad Pro and you're now just $50-$100 below the price of the 128GB 12.9" M3 OLED iPad Pro. And it is, after all, the World's most advanced and highest quality tablet, with everything the previous generation had and so much more. Like support for Apple Pencil Pro which you don't get on the new iPads Air or iPads 10th Gen. And much better built in speakers. Really, much better everything.

So you end up getting either the 128GB or 256GB OLED M3 iPad Pro. And the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Apple knows exactly how to us to spend.

The upcoming iPad line-up will be no different in this regard.

 

[Zdigital2015]

Having bought an M1 iPad Pro 12.9” 1TB 5G model for $1199 from Best Buy last year, I’m just making popcorn for the big reveal before the month’s end. Looking forward to seeing the specs, but zero intention of upgrading. I can see a 12.9” Air being a real draw for some users though.

 

[Digitalguy]

Having bought an M1 iPad Pro 12.9” 1TB 5G model for $1199 from Best Buy last year, I’m just making popcorn for the big reveal before the month’s end. Looking forward to seeing the specs, but zero intention of upgrading. I can see a 12.9” Air being a real draw for some users though.

wow that was a great deal

 

[Digitalguy]

it's a matter of priorities, for me the speakers are the highest priority that's why I always pick a pro

 

[Yebubbleman]

Having bought an M1 iPad Pro 12.9” 1TB 5G model for $1199 from Best Buy last year, I’m just making popcorn for the big reveal before the month’s end. Looking forward to seeing the specs, but zero intention of upgrading. I can see a 12.9” Air being a real draw for some users though.

That really is a great deal! I'm considering an Apple Certified Refurbished 256GB M1 (Wi-Fi only) 12.9-inch iPad Pro. But am otherwise in the same boat of following these announcements with minimal intention of actually buying. A 12.9-inch iPad Air would certainly be intriguing. Screen reliability would probably be the biggest factor for me personally (in deciding between the aforementioned Apple Certified Refurb 256GB M1 12.9-inch Pro or this upcoming Air).

 

[leifp]

My problem is that the things that drive me to pay more are the things Apple never offers for less… screen quality. An iPad mini with ProMotion OLED would have me immediately. A 12.9” iPP would give me hesitation (I have the M2 model already, many more reasons to not upgrade than otherwise).

Camera quality doesn’t matter to me (I have the iPhone for that, and many mILC/SLR cameras), audio quality doesn’t matter to me (AirPlay or earphones [or even muted] all the way), a keyboard with trackpad doesn’t matter to me (it’s one of those features I pined for until they delivered it… NEVER use it; keyboard yes, trackpad no), and even the M series chips are probably total overkill for my use case. As long as it can drive the ProMotion display…

 

[RichHI]

For me the deal breaker is the island. I have not upgraded iPad for years. If the Pro 13" has no island I will buy the Wifi 2TB or higher version. If there is an island then I will look at current Pro with mini LED or MacBook Air. I have not upgraded my iPhone since the island started. I use phone and iPad to watch video on flights and the interruption of the picture really bugs me. So that is my answer yes but no but yes but no.

 

[wxnats]

I have a 3rd generation 12.9” Pro. I love the device and I’m looking forward to the new iPad announcement. My plan is to upgrade and give this current Pro to my partner (he’s using my first gen 12.9” Pro). I’m waiting to see the differences between the bigger air and pro to make a decision.

 

[MazingerZND]

OLED and ProMotion would be enough for me to go for a Pro