Apple is developing six new tablets: a new iPad mini (7th generation), a new iPad (11th generation), a new iPad Air (6th generation) with two screen sizes, and a new iPad Pro with two screen sizes as well. All of these tablets are expected to launch in the next few months, or at least before the next September with iOS 17. Considering that the new iPad models will cover a wide price range, these devices will compete with almost all the tablets from Samsung, including the Galaxy Tab S9 and the S9 FE series.
iPad mini (7th generation)
Starting with the upcoming iPad mini, it is expected to feature the same design as the existing model. However, it will get new internals, including a new processor. Currently, there’s no confirmation about which chipset this tablet will rock but rumours suggest that it could have the Apple A16 Bionic, Apple A17 Bionic, or an M-series SoC. Plus, it could come in new colours. Unfortunately, the ProMotion display isn’t on the cards, which means you are stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate.
The iPad mini (7th generation) is expected to carry the same price as the current model, which is $499. Since Samsung (or any other major tablet manufacturer) doesn’t offer a tablet with a screen size of around 8 inches at that price point, the upcoming iPad mini will be in a league of its own. In other words, none of the Galaxy Tab models will face heat from the iPad mini (7th generation).
iPad (11th generation)
Then comes the new iPad (11th generation). Currently, there aren’t many details available about this model. However, going by the rumours, the upcoming iPad could offer only one significant improvement over its predecessor, and that’s the introduction of a newer processor. However, this chipset will most likely be the one we’ve already seen in older iPhones, such as the Apple A15 Bionic. That means the price of the iPad (11th generation) will also likely remain unchanged ($449), putting it right against the Galaxy Tab S9 FE.
iPad Air (6th generation)
As for the new iPad Air, it will come in two screen sizes for the first time. Unfortunately, the screen sizes are currently unknown. If we had to take a guess, we’d say that Apple would launch 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, just like the current versions of the iPad Pro. However, a few rumours suggest that the iPad Air (6th generation) will come in only one screen size but there will be two models in the series. A base variant and a high-end variant with extra features.
Currently, there’s no information about the other specs of the new iPad Air. However, expect it to rock a new M-series processor (either an Apple M2 or Apple M3). Since the new iPad Air is expected to bring a lot of changes, it could come with a higher price tag. The current model starts at $599. So, it isn’t out of the scope that Apple could price the upcoming model at $649 or $699 for the base variant. At that price point, the iPad Air (6th generation) could compete with the Galaxy Tab S8, which is currently going for $699.
New iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch
According to a recent report from Bloomberg, the upcoming iPad Pro will get a major overhaul. Along with a new design, it will feature an OLED display, which is a huge and welcome move, and a new M-series processor, the Apple M3. The iPad Pro is expected to come in two screen sizes. The smaller model will have an 11-inch display, the same size as the current version, and the larger model will get a 13-inch screen, a slight bump over the 12.9-inch display in the current variant.
Apple will also launch a new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro, which is said to make the tablet look more like a laptop. It is expected to feature a larger trackpad. With a new design, better display, and a faster processor, the upcoming iPad Pro will most certainly get a price bump. The current iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) starts at $799, which is the same price as that of the Galaxy Tab S9. That means the iPad Pro 11-inch (5th generation) will be costlier than the Galaxy Tab S9.
