Apple is engaged on an replace for the low-cost iPad, which hasn’t been refreshed since 2022. As an entry-level product, the iPad does not get plenty of consideration and it isn’t usually the main focus of rumors, however we have heard slightly bit about what may be coming to the iPad 11.
Design
Apple overhauled the look of the iPad in 2022, introducing a ten.9-inch all-display design and a Contact ID energy button, so we’re not anticipating any additional design modifications at this time limit.
Apple will doubtless keep on with the ten.9-inch show and iPad Air-like design, however we may get new colours. Present colours embody silver, yellow, pink, and blue. The iPad already has a USB-C port, which is able to stick round, and it’ll proceed to assist the USB-C Apple Pencil.
A-Sequence Chip
The present Tenth-generation iPad has an A14 chip that was first used within the iPhone 12 lineup, and it is getting outdated. The logical selection for the following iPad is the A16 that was used within the iPhone 15 fashions, but when Apple needs to make Apple Intelligence as accessible as attainable, an A17 Professional chip or A18 chip is not out of the query.
In fact, including Apple Intelligence assist would additionally necessitate way more reminiscence, and the iPad is at present restricted to 4GB, so it’d simply be too costly for Apple to provide it that performance whereas additionally protecting the worth inexpensive.
Both method, the A16 can be a significant enchancment even when it does not assist Apple Intelligence. It’s going to be quicker and extra environment friendly, so battery life may probably be improved.
Different Updates
Apple has been updating most of its merchandise with Wi-Fi 6E or higher, so we are able to count on Wi-Fi 6E assist for the low-cost iPad. The present mannequin helps Wi-Fi 6, so it isn’t appropriate with the quicker 6GHz band that is obtainable with Wi-Fi 6E routers.
Price
We have not heard rumors of any form of price improve for the iPad 11, so we’re nonetheless anticipating pricing to start out at $349 for 64GB of storage. Apple has been bumping some minimal storage choices in recent times, so there’s an opportunity we may see a lift to 128GB of storage with no price improve, however nothing has been rumored.
Apple solely sells the iPad in 64GB and 256GB configurations proper now.
Launch Date
Apple is rumored to be holding an occasion in October to unveil new M4 Macs and a brand new iPad mini 7, so it is attainable we’ll see the iPad then.
Rumors in regards to the iPad 11’s launch date have been wishy washy, although. Analyst Ross Younger not too long ago stated that show shipments for the gadget would not begin till October, which is late for an October debut and truly extra applicable for a 2025 launch.
Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman has stated Apple is engaged on a brand new Magic Keyboard accent for the low-cost iPad and/or the iPad Air which is predicted to return out by the center of 2025. It might not make sense to launch the iPad 11 till that accent is prepared, as Apple does not usually cut up up accent and gadget launches.
In fact, if it is truly an adjunct solely for the iPad Air, the keyboard won’t have an effect on the iPad 11 launch date in any respect.
Shopping for Recommendation
In the event you’re planning to get a low-cost iPad and you’ll wait, we suggest holding off for the brand new mannequin. The present model is 2 years previous at this level, and the chip inside is even older. You will get probably the most out of your cash in the event you await an replace.