Apple has announced its next product showcase for May 7th at 10 AM ET, a few weeks before the Worldwide Developers Conference begins. While the company hasn’t revealed much about what’s coming, there are strong indications. Rumors have circulated for months about Apple refreshing its iPad lineup in May. The announcement for the “Let Loose” event includes an illustration of a hand holding an Apple Pencil, hinting at an iPad Pro launch.
Reports in recent months have provided insight into what Apple might unveil at the upcoming iPad event:
It’s been about 18 months since Apple last updated its iPads, so a refresh is overdue. Initially, there were expectations of M3 chips for the latest iPad Pro models, following the M2 chipsets in the current versions. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested on April 28th that the next-gen M4 chip is a strong possibility. Gurman also believes Apple will position the tablet as its first truly AI-powered device.
The most significant update expected is OLED displays, which should bring better colors and deeper blacks to the iPad Pro.
Since OLED panels are thinner than LCD panels, this could lead to a thinner iPad Pro. The 11-inch model is expected to be 0.8 mm thinner at 5.1 mm, while the 12.9-inch model could be 1.5 mm thinner at 5 mm. There are also rumors of up to 15 percent thinner bezels compared to previous models.
There’s speculation about Apple introducing a glass-backed iPad Pro for MagSafe charging and relocating the front-facing camera to the landscape edge of the Pro, similar to the entry-level iPad released in late 2022.
The iPad Air, stagnant for over two years, is expected to upgrade to M2 chips from the current M1. Reports suggest the iPad Air’s front-facing camera will also move to the landscape edge.
Another rumored change is the introduction of a 12.9-inch iPad Air, likely the least expensive option for a large-screen iPad.
While a mini-LED display was previously rumored for the 12.9-inch iPad Air, it appears this may not happen for now. However, there are expectations for a larger camera bump and possibly an iPad Air with a mini-LED display later this year.
Apple is reportedly working on a revamped Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, featuring a larger trackpad and aluminum construction.
A new Apple Pencil to replace the second-gen model is expected, possibly featuring a squeeze gesture and Find My support.
While the iPad mini and base iPad are due for updates, they might not appear at the upcoming event. Reports suggest they may arrive later this year.
