Next-Generation iPad Air With M3 Chip Already Rumored

[MacRumors]

Apple's next iPad Air will use an M3 processor, according to details posted on X earlier today by a private account with a proven track record of sharing accurate information about Apple's plans.

Apple just last week announced its latest iPad Air models powered by the company's M2 chip. The two new 11-inch and 13-inch models replaced the previous M1-powered 10.9-inch iPad Air, which was released in 2022. Apple also just announced new M4 iPad Pro models that were until recently expected to feature the M3 chip.

Combined with Apple's surprise debut of the M4, today's rumor suggests that Apple plans to keep the iPad Air one step behind the iPad Pro in terms of processor generations. Given the recent announcements, it's very early to speculate on a future generation of iPad Air, but rumors have suggested that Apple plans to introduce a 10.8-inch OLED iPad Air, and that the tablet could come out between 2026 and 2028.

The new iPad Air is nearly 50% faster than the previous iPad Air with M1, according to Apple. Compared to iPad Air with A14 Bionic, it provides 3x faster performance. Like the previous model, the iPad Air starts at $599, while the 13-inch device starts at $799, and both sizes are available from Wednesday, May 15.

Article Link: Next-Generation iPad Air With M3 Chip Already Rumored

 

[MayaUser]

This will 100% not happen
Apple wants to ditch N3B as soon as possible
Air will probably get M4 when the pro will get M5

 

[abatabia]

In two years? Maybe M4.

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

They are ditching N3B so it be M4 next
TSMC are winding it down

 

[reallynotnick]

This will 100% not happen
Apple wants to ditch N3B as soon as possible
Air will probably get M4 when the pro will get M5

Exactly Apple is skipping the M3 on most of their desktop lineup too. The M3 is going to be quickly sunset.

 

[bradman83]

As others have said, Apple wants to ditch the more expensive, lower-yielding N3B process ASAP and get onto N3E. Makes no sense to release further M3-based products at this point.

 

[subjonas]

That’s odd. I expected Apple to go backwards with the next iPad Air, back to M1.

 

[anakin44011]

This will 100% not happen
Apple wants to ditch N3B as soon as possible
Air will probably get M4 when the pro will get M5

Agreed. I see them still making M1 and/or M2 processors well beyond the point of stopping production of the M3 series. Once all the M4 variants are released, I don't think the M3 will have either a cost or a performance advantage (which isn't to say the M3 isn't an awesome chip...because it is). Meanwhile, I imagine those M1/M2 chips will continue to lower in cost (due to recovered upfront costs) while the new M4/M5 variants get relatively more expensive, driving future margins and (hopefully) more advanced software capabilities.

And the M1 is still darn fast for the vast majority of users/applications.

 

[StrangeNoises]

as others said, and for the reasons said, it seems unlikely - unless they find themselves sitting on a huge pile of them that they need to shift. and given one of the problems with the M3 generation was low yields, that too seems unlikely - but maybe if they're bringing forward plans to get all the low-end Macs onto M4 ASAP, the M3s that were slated for them might be looking for new homes...?

 

[dumastudetto]

This wont happen because M3 isn’t in iPad Pro.

 

[SBlue1]

So which iPad should I buy? The mini? An old iPad on a good discount or the latest one? What size? Oh wait, which pen will it be compatible with? How about an iPad Pro or better an maxed out Air? Man, Apples iPad lineup is more complicated that the Roomba lineup!

 

[Turfschipper]

Only thing why this could be true is cause apple wants a bigger gap in between air and pro ipad. But i think m3 is already EOL.

 

[Jeo_cz]

And we already know that will come with 60 Hz. 😀

 

[raindogg]

And the one after that will be the M4 (eye roll)

 

[DaniTheFox]

Agreed. I see them still making M1 and/or M2 processors well beyond the point of stopping production of the M3 series. Once all the M4 variants are released, I don't think the M3 will have either a cost or a performance advantage (which isn't to say the M3 isn't an awesome chip...because it is). Meanwhile, I imagine those M1/M2 chips will continue to lower in cost (due to recovered upfront costs) while the new M4/M5 variants get relatively more expensive, driving future margins and (hopefully) more advanced software capabilities.

And the M1 is still darn fast for the vast majority of users/applications.

I think so too. The M1/M2 in a lot of devices. Whoever it fits with the bigger dimensions. iPad mini? Apple TV?

 

[jb310]

Considering that it's not unusual for the iPad Air to go a couple of years without an update... I'd say it'll probably get the M4 just in time for the iPad Pro to get the M6.

 

[idkwhat]

What I want to know is when will base iPad 11th come out so that the price will drop further on the 10th gen ones.

 

[BradGD]

And we already know that will come with 60 Hz. 😀

Unless the Pro is bumped to 240Hz by then

 

[magicvash]

Won’t happen. They’re going to transition away from the first gen 3nm process asap and the iPad Air will get M4 when the iPad Pro gets the M5 or M6 in 2025-2026

 

[snipr125]

The next iPad Air 7 should also finally get a Promotion screen in line with the regular iPhone 17 (articles posted on MR).

 

[andrewxgx]

They are ditching N3B so it be M4 next
TSMC are winding it down

not quite
they still have to operate it long enough to make it profitable
so making some chips after most production moved to N3E is a possibility

 

[Tyler O'Bannon]

With M4 being the first gen to push forward with AI features rumored to be announced at WWDC24, I'm really surprised at this. I would think they would at least go to M4 by the M5 or M6 era just for that.

Combine that with N3B winding down, I don't think this will happen. I think we'll have an M4 iPad Air when we have M5 and possibly even just releasing M6 products.

 

[Populus]

This will 100% not happen
Apple wants to ditch N3B as soon as possible
Air will probably get M4 when the pro will get M5

Yep, I just came here to say that. You were faster pal!

I’m already interested in the M4 iPad Air, as long as it keeps using the LCD technology for the display, because the new iPad Pro seems to have PWM (saw it on some hands-on videos). By then, I guess all M4 will be the unbinned version. I only wish they give the option to get more RAM.

It would also be nice to have a higher refresh rate display on the Air.

 

[endemize]

So which iPad should I buy? The mini? An old iPad on a good discount or the latest one? What size? Oh wait, which pen will it be compatible with? How about an iPad Pro or better an maxed out Air? Man, Apples iPad lineup is more complicated that the Roomba lineup!

If you have that hard of a time picking then the lowest entry model is for you. The higher tiers are for people that know what they need.

 

[unchecked]

Unless the Pro is bumped to 240Hz by then

Oh we know in 2 years time when the Air gets refreshed it's still going to stay at 60Hz. Apple doesn't do trickle-down.