iPad Air Stock Running Low Ahead of New Model Introduction

[MacRumors]

Retail stock of the current iPad Air is starting to dwindle ahead of the widely anticipated arrival of new models early next month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports.

Citing sources at multiple retail stores in the latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that inventory levels of the iPad Air are diminishing in Apple stores, a typical indicator that new versions are soon to be released. Unlike the iPad Air, the iPad Pro apparently remains abundantly available, which suggests that Apple might be planning to sell through its current stock even after introducing an upgraded model. Historically, Apple has managed its inventory to align with the release cycles of its products, reducing shipments of older units to make room for the latest offerings.

Expected changes coming to the next-generation iPad Air include the more powerful M2 chip and an additional 12.9-inch display size option, while the iPad Pro is rumored to receive OLED display technology, the M3 chip, and new accessories. The refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro models are now expected to be announced during the second week of May.

Article Link: iPad Air Stock Running Low Ahead of New Model Introduction

 

[orbital~debris]

'Stock running low' is one of my favourite categories of rumour posts 😊

 

[hovscorpion12]

I’d like to know where Mark gets his sources. Checking the site now show all iPad Air models available today.

 

[JippaLippa]

So what's the story?
Are we expecting an event in May?

 

[PsykX]

I’d like to know where Mark gets his sources. Checking the site now show all iPad Air models available today.

All of his articles probably rely on between 1 to 3 sources. In this case, maybe an employee working in an Apple Store can check the inventory of his store and maybe his "order more" button is greyed out.

Currently, Gurman is most likely Apple's biggest threat in terms of leakage.
As soon as they find those few people, all these rumours will be over.

 

[orbital~debris]

Currently, Gurman is most likely Apple's biggest threat in terms of leakage.
As soon as they find those few people, all these rumours will be over.

Or maybe: as soon as Apple's new AI finds those few people… 🤖😨

 

[bodhisattva]

Have my M1 Pro and just holding out to see what this year offers... whenever it offers it.

 

[klasma]

I’d like to know where Mark gets his sources.

“Sources at multiple retail stores”

Checking the site now show all iPad Air models available today.

“Stock dwindling” doesn’t mean “no stock”.

 

[iamgalt]

So what's the story?
Are we expecting an event in May?

I got a feeling if there is going to be an event, Apple will just wait till WWDC to introduce them (could tie it in with updates to iPad OS). If they're not going to introduce them at WWDC, I doubt there will be an event of any kind, just a press release, and maybe some videos on the website.

 

[klasma]

So what's the story?
Are we expecting an event in May?

No event expected, unless they delay it until WWDC.

 

[PeterKeller]

Feels like we've been talking about this for far too long. Must be tough being an Apple YouTuber. No news in eons.

 

[dampfnudel]

I’d like to know where Mark gets his sources. Checking the site now show all iPad Air models available today.

As soon as Apple discovered his article they pumped up the supply.

 

[SactoGuy18]

It's likely that the iPad Air will be updated first in early May 2024 with the 10.9" and 12.9" models running iPadOS 17.5. iPad Pro will wait until WWDC.

 

[rjruiz2]

iPad OLED forever alone.

 

[Fuzzball84]

I am more interested in a new Magic Keyboard than a new iPad... Id pay 500 for a new keyboard on its own if it was done really well and compatible with current iPads.

 

[bluedoggiant]

It's likely that the iPad Air will be updated first in early May 2024 with the 10.9" and 12.9" models running iPadOS 17.5. iPad Pro will wait until WWDC.

This would break a lot of hearts

 

[ralpa]

Introducing the biggest updates of iPad Air with the same design

 

[seek3r]

I am more interested in a new Magic Keyboard than a new iPad... Id pay 500 for a new keyboard on its own if it was done really well and compatible with current iPads.

I doubt it will be, for one thing I’d expect they’ll use whatever iteration of smart connector is next to expose USB or even thunderbolt on the keyboard (the current ones only pass through charging), and that wouldnt be compatible with the current ipads

 

[Fuzzball84]

I doubt it will be, for one thing I’d expect they’ll use whatever iteration of smart connector is next to expose USB or even thunderbolt on the keyboard (the current ones only pass through charging), and that wouldnt be compatible with the current ipads

Probably..

but it wouldn't be hard for them to make a keyboard that uses a new connector and the previous to allow some backward compatibility. That would fit in with their environmental claims... but I suspect they won't. They want to sell people a new iPad Magic Keyboard combo.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

I’d like to know where Mark gets his sources. Checking the site now show all iPad Air models available today.

Same here, in Europe. Plenty of stock, all configurations, cellular and Wifi-only.

And I'd be very surprised if it were any other way.

Apple loves to do internals only upgrades. But the average, mainstream consumer simply won't get caught in the marketing push to upgrade when the last 2-3 iPads Air and Pro have been identical externally, chassis, display, color finishes, materials, etc.

Even iPad 10th gen. doesn't feel new as it mostly reads as "iPads Air in new colors", even though it's something way lower value else.

Low stock for Air and Pro simply can't be true. Not unless retailers have been destroying all stock of iPads older than the current gen. ones. Not a thing here. But you never know.

 

[G5isAlive]

Currently, Gurman is most likely Apple's biggest threat in terms of leakage.
As soon as they find those few people, all these rumours will be over.

or more likely Gurman is pulling tea leaves out of his ***. People claim he has a high success rate but I just see him releasing best guesses, some of which are wildly wrong the first time he says them, but the closer it gets to an expected date the more he clarifies based on the same rumors we read, and then its .. see he is right! I mean how many months in a row have we heard, new iPad Pro next month! oh wait, its been delayed, next month.. oh wait.. eventually he gets to say, see I was right!

 

[David1964]

I just want an iPad mini 7.

 

[coffeemilktea]

The refreshed iPad Air and iPad Pro models are now expected to be announced during the second week of May.

Before WWDC? I guess these new iPads aren't getting any of the rumored AI features quite yet. 😩

 

[EightyEight]

or more likely Gurman is pulling tea leaves out of his ***. People claim he has a high success rate but I just see him releasing best guesses, some of which are wildly wrong the first time he says them, but the closer it gets to an expected date the more he clarifies based on the same rumors we read, and then its .. see he is right! I mean how many months in a row have we heard, new iPad Pro next month! oh wait, its been delayed, next month.. oh wait.. eventually he gets to say, see I was right!

Gurman has to be pulling guesses out of thin air. How many Apple Stores are there? Hundreds? No way Gurman could make an accurate statement on inventory levels.

 

[The Game 161]

be very interested if it will have 120hz