Apple to Launch 12.9-Inch iPad Air with M2 Chip in March 2024

2023 will be the first calendar year in the device's history, with no new iPads released. However, improvements to the whole iPad series are due next year. Notably, the upcoming iPad Air is expected to be available in two sizes.

Shipments of 12.9-inch iPad Air Display Underway Ahead of March 2024 Launch

According to a post on X today by Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, Apple's supply chain began shipments of display panels for a larger 12.9-inch iPad Air this month. Young has an excellent track record regarding Apple display speculations, so the information he presented today is most likely correct, per MacRumors.

Several additional sources, including Taiwanese supply chain newspaper DigiTimes, Apple analyst Ming-Chu Kuo, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, have stated that Apple is going to sell a 12.9-inch iPad Air. Gurman previously stated that the 12.9-inch iPad Air will be released around March 2024.

Aside from its bigger display size, no major design modifications for the 12.9-inch iPad Air have been rumored. The present iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display and is also anticipated to be refreshed in March of next year.

The future iPad Pro models are largely believed to include OLED panels, and as a result, they will most likely be more expensive than the present iPad Pro versions. The 12.9-inch iPad Air should be priced between the 10.9-inch iPad Air and the forthcoming 11-inch iPad Pro by staying with a more cost-effective LCD display.

Apple 12.9-inch iPad Air to Feature Larger Battery and an M2 Chip Onboard

Industry expert Mark Gurman claims in his recent Power On newsletter that Apple will release two versions of the iPad Air. The iPad Air will be upgraded from 10.9 to 12.9 inches, and a new 12.9-inch model will be introduced.

The internals of the tablet are expected to be identical across the series, using an M2 chip. The new larger display will enable the company to increase exports and regain market momentum.

The M2 chip now powers the iPad Pro models, and the company intends to bring the same chip to the iPad Air collection next year. The M2 chips are powerful for a tablet, especially given the CPU and GPU increases they will bring to the table.

Aside from the new CPU, we do not anticipate any changes to the appearance of the iPad Air, as the 12.9-inch edition will seem identical to the smaller variant. Due to its larger chassis, the 12.9-inch iPad Air may have a larger battery.

The M2 chip now drives the iPad Pro models, and Apple plans to extend the same chip to the iPad Air lineup next year. The M2 chips are powerful for a tablet, especially with the increased CPU and GPU performance.

Aside from the upgraded CPU, we don't expect any changes to the iPad Air's design, as the 12.9-inch model will appear identical to the smaller variant. The 12.9-inch iPad Air may feature a larger battery due to its larger frame.

The M2 iPad Air will not compete with the OLED iPad Pro since Apple intends to widen the gap between the devices. However, the iPad Air 6 will be noticeably better than the entry-level iPad with a similar display size.

While it is too early to tell, the larger 12.9-inch iPad Air will be more expensive than the normal model. The 12.9-inch iPad Air is expected to cost between $699 and $799. As previously said, Apple will release the OLED iPad Pro and iPad Air 6 models in March 2024.

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