Apple Suppliers Say New iPads Have Been 'Repeatedly Postponed'

[MacRumors]

It has been nearly 18 months since Apple last updated its iPad lineup, and customers are anxiously waiting for new models to be announced. For months, there have been rumors about new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but the estimated timeframe for their release has been repeatedly pushed back from March to April to May.

In defense of these rumors, it does sound like Apple has experienced delays with the new iPads. DigiTimes this week cited sources at Taiwanese suppliers who said mass production of camera lenses for the upcoming iPads has been "repeatedly postponed," and the report vaguely mentions that a "production launch" will likely take place in May.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last week reported that Apple is currently aiming to launch the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in "early May," and he said production of the devices has already been ramping up in Asia. He said Apple was still finishing iPadOS software development for the new iPads, and added that advanced OLED display manufacturing techniques have also contributed to the delayed launch.

Apple is expected to announce the following products:

• Two new iPad Pro models with the M3 chip, OLED displays, a thinner enclosure, thinner bezels, a matte screen option, a landscape-oriented front camera, other design changes, and possibly MagSafe wireless charging.
• Two new iPad Air models with the M2 chip and a landscape-oriented front camera, including a first-ever 12.9-inch iPad Air.
• A new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro with an aluminum enclosure, larger trackpad, and other design tweaks.
• A new Apple Pencil, which may have a new "squeeze" gesture for certain actions and support visionOS eventually.

Apple last updated the iPad Pro and iPad Air in October 2022 and March 2022, respectively, so new versions of the devices are much anticipated.

Article Link: Apple Suppliers Say New iPads Have Been 'Repeatedly Postponed'

 

[raindogg]

Have they really been "anxiously" waiting? Beside tech reviewers I don't know anyone who cares. What's this new iPad going to do that my 3 year old iPad can't? It's still the same limited OS.

 

[Account25476]

Sign of weakness, disagreement in the Apple team... And knowing Apple this means the iPad line will remain controversial. Not well.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Have they really been "anxiously" waiting? Beside tech reviewers I don't know anyone who cares. What's this new iPad going to do that my 3 year old iPad can't? It's still the same limited OS.

Have an additional 18 months of support, mostly. And given they're supposed to launch next month, I can wait.

 

[EugW]

Have they really been "anxiously" waiting? Beside tech reviewers I don't know anyone who cares. What's this new iPad going to do that my 3 year old iPad can't? It's still the same limited OS.

Yes, I have been anxiously awaiting the introduction of OLED to the iPad Pros. This is literally one of the biggest upgrades to the iPad line in many, many years.

 

[madmin]

Pretty please with sugar on top, release the new iPads

 

[anthogag]

The new iPad Pro will be fashionably late.

 

[drrich2]

The iPad Mini has had the longest time since a release, if I understand correctly, appears to be popular judging from the forum (and my kid; I used to own one, too), and yet no mention of it? Wonder what this bodes for its prospects for an update any time soon.

 

[cnnyy20p]

They have been mostly the same since 2018.

 

[klasma]

What's this new iPad going to do that my 3 year old iPad can't?

Show light text on true-black background. Have a centered camera in landscape orientation. Weigh less. Cost less for a 12.9” model.

 

[klasma]

The iPad Mini has had the longest time since a release, if I understand correctly, appears to be popular judging from the forum (and my kid; I used to own one, too), and yet no mention of it?

The iPad mini always had longer refresh cycles. It was 3.5 years at one point.

 

[Bug-Creator]

The iPad Mini has had the longest time since a release

👍

Bought an 4 shortly after a release and apart from a spec bump it stayed the top of the line for years.
Replaced it with a 6 on release and as far as I am concerned the don't have to bother with a 7 for a another 3 years

 

[npmacuser5]

Apple updates the hardware and software way more than needed. Thus, causing the end user a more frustrating experience than necessary. What I mean by updates, new features. In fact the new software features contribute to the unnecessary hardware updates. The stuck in an on going learning curve gets old fast. Very pleased with the pace of the iPad updates. Should be applied across all devices.

 

[madmin]

The iPad Mini has had the longest time since a release, if I understand correctly, appears to be popular judging from the forum (and my kid; I used to own one, too), and yet no mention of it? Wonder what this bodes for its prospects for an update any time soon.

The new mini is coming™

 

[DHagan4755]

I'm ok with delays if it means they're fully baked.

 

[scrapesleon]

Well new iPads in October then so don’t speak about unless its release on Apple webpage

 

[Artsketch]

Why everyone wants eye straining OLED instead of crisp Mini-LED?

 

[itti]

Tbh, I expect the new OLED screen will delay the launch.

 

[scoony]

I really hope to see some significant camera upgrades on par with the latest iPhone Pros. Lighter in weight will be very welcomed.

 

[Cwoods]

Gurman wrong again. Why does MacRumors even report things he says at this point?

 

[blairh]

This has been a very frustrating wait. I'll just be relieved at this point once they are announced.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Gurman wrong again. Why does MacRumors even report things he says at this point?

I disagree that he was wrong, and I don't get all the hate he gets.

The launch being repeatedly postponed is beyond his control, and I think some people are taking out their frustration on him.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I would love a super thin and light iPad Mini with much smaller bezels and an OLED screen. Doesn't need to be crazy fast. It could be clocked down, so it sips battery. I think they could sell something like this as a premium product. The perfect pocketable media consumption device.

 

[Remy149]

Have they really been "anxiously" waiting? Beside tech reviewers I don't know anyone who cares. What's this new iPad going to do that my 3 year old iPad can't? It's still the same limited OS.

As someone with a 6 year iPad Pro I’m definitely one of those waiting. These are devices with a very nice long upgrade cycle.

 

[Remy149]

Nothing wrong with a steady update cadence. We all are on different upgrade cycles. It’s not like anyone is replacing an iPad annually