No New iPad in 2023? What Gives?

We've nearly reached the end of 2023 and Apple hasn't announced a new iPad. We still have two months to go, so it's possible we'll see one appear before 2024, but it doesn't seem likely. The company has traditionally launched new tablets each year in one form or another since the original iPad's 2010 debut, making the current dearth of slates a notable dry spell. What's the deal?

When Were the Last New iPads Announced?

The most recent "new" iPads made their debut back in 2022, when Apple updated the standard iPad and the iPad Pro in October. The entry-level iPad gained an entirely new design with fresh components and accessories, while the iPad Pro mostly scored an upgraded processor and several new features powered by that chip. The iPad Air was last updated in March of 2022 and the iPad mini was most recently refreshed in 2021.

According to the most recent rumors, we're looking at the first quarter of 2024 before Apple introduces new iPads. As far back as January 2023, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that it would be 9 to 12 months before a significant iPad update. Kuo reiterated that prediction again in September when he reported, "New iPad models are unlikely before the year's end."

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman's predictions have more or less mirrored those of Kuo. "I’m told that Apple is currently planning to release at least the more minor iPad refreshes in March," he said.

Spring timelines aren't unheard of for iPad launches. After all, the original 2010 model went on sale during the spring of that year and many iterations have marked their debuts during that general timeframe.

What We Want in a New iPad

The bigger question is, what is Apple waiting for or working on? We've already got M2 processors in the iPad Pro and capable processors in the standard iPad and iPad Air models. Moreover, the top models have impressive mini-LED screens, top-notch cameras and connectivity suites, and great accessories (including a new Apple Pencil). While packing a speedy M3 processor into the iPad Pro is an enticing idea, it's the lower-tier Apple tablets that need the most work.

"I'd love to see upgrades and consolidation at the bottom of Apple's iPad lineup, where the base iPad specs and design are aging," said Avi Greengart, CEO and lead analyst at Techsponential, to PCMag via email. "The iPad mini also needs a price cut, a processor upgrade, or both. However, the iPad Air and iPad Pro are arguably overpowered for the software that runs on them, so it seems reasonable that Apple would hold off on updating them this year."

It's also worth pointing out that Apple's competitors aren't in a hurry to update their own slates. Samsung waited a solid 18 months between the debut of its flagship Galaxy Tab S8 and Galaxy Tab S9 offerings. It waited even longer in between updating the midrange Galaxy Tab FE tablet line. Amazon, too, waited close to two years between Fire HD 10 updates.

It looks like Apple is so far ahead of the tablet game right now, it can hang back and wait a bit before introducing updated slates.

Recommended by Our Editors

What's the Best iPad to Buy in 2024?

The Best iPad Tips and Tricks: How to Conquer iPadOS

The Best iPad Apps for 2024

As for what we'd like to see, well, that's still a long list.

For the iPad Pro, Apple needs to relocate the user-facing camera from the short edge to the long edge for more natural video chats. It also needs to bring the advanced mini-LED display from the 12.9-inch iPad Pro to the smaller 11-inch model. The M3 chip goes without saying, as does a wider selection or RAM options. Also, an additional USB-C port wouldn't hurt.

On the lower-tier models, there are plenty of changes needed. The Air needs a long-edge user-facing camera, updated chips, a better screen, and more storage options. The standard model could use a big jump in processors, as well as more granular storage options. Specifically, Apple needs to do away with the 64GB entry-level model and offer 128GB and 256GB models. A high-end 512GB model wouldn't hurt. Both the iPad and iPad Air should do away with the fingerprint readers and adopt Face ID for security. After all, even the base-level iPhone 15 supports the same.

What would you like to see in Apple's next-gen iPads? Be sure to let us know in the comments.