Hold onto your hats, folks, because Apple’s “Let Loose” event on May 7 is shaping up to be a blockbuster! Following a history of groundbreaking innovations, Apple’s upcoming event promises to introduce the next chapter in the iPad saga with potentially game-changing new models. We’ve snagged some insider info from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, and it looks like Apple is ready to roll out not just one or two but four new iPad models, with a surprise fifth possibly in the mix. From sleek designs to powerful chips, Apple’s gearing up to impress us all.

Designer: Apple

As someone who’s still using a maxed-out M1 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 1TB of storage and WiFi + Cellular connectivity, I’m eagerly waiting on the next new iPad Pro. Let’s dive into the details of each model, highlighting their unique selling points and discussing who might benefit most from an upgrade.

iPad (ninth generation)

Apple iPad (ninth generation)

• Unique Selling Point: This model continues to feature the classic physical home button, appealing to users who prefer traditional navigation. It’s a familiar design with reliable performance.
• Upgrade Advice: Ideal for those using older iPad models who need a dependable device for everyday tasks like web surfing, streaming, and light productivity, without the complexity or cost of more advanced models.

iPad (10th generation)

Apple iPad 10th-gen with all‑screen design, 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display

• Unique Selling Point: Introduces a sleek, button-less design with a larger 10.9-inch screen, enhancing user interaction and visual engagement.
• Performance Leap: A significant upgrade in display and user interface makes it perfect for those who enjoy media consumption and need a bit more space for productivity apps.
• Upgrade Advice: This is great for users upgrading from older non-Pro models who prefer a more modern look and improved performance without stepping up to the Pro level.

iPad mini (sixth generation)

Apple iPad mini (6th generation)

• Unique Selling Point: Despite its small size, the iPad mini does not compromise on performance, offering robust capabilities in a compact package that is easy to carry.
• Upgrade Advice: This model is ideal for those who travel frequently or need a powerful, portable device that can handle tasks on the go without the bulk of larger tablets.

iPad Air (11-inch and 12.9-inch models)

Apple iPad Air (5th generation)

• Unique Selling Point: Now equipped with the M2 chip, these models bring near-pro performance at a more accessible price point. The design is expected to be sleek, inheriting the advanced aesthetics of previous iPad Pros.
• Upgrade Advice: This is a smart choice for those seeking a larger iPad that focuses less on cutting-edge technology but still offers substantial performance. It’s perfect for users like me who need a versatile device that bridges the gap between a conventional iPad and the high-end Pro model.

iPad Pro (11-inch and 12.9-inch models)

Apple iPad Pro

• Unique Selling Point: The new iPad Pro models, set to feature the cutting-edge M4 chip, are poised to be the most powerful iPads yet. They are designed to handle extremely demanding applications and multitasking with ease.
• Anticipated Features: Upgrades like OLED displays are expected to provide unmatched visual quality, making these models a top choice for professionals in creative fields. Additionally, I would speculate that an advanced optics camera system, similar to the iPhone 15 Pro, might be included, with capabilities to capture immersive videos that could synergize with devices like the Vision Pro.
• Personal Insight: As a power user who is always chasing the next big thing, I’m particularly excited about the new iPad Pro. Given its anticipated capabilities, it could potentially replace my laptop for on-the-go tasks, offering a more convenient option for portability compared to carrying a MacBook Air.

Strategic Redesign and Market Impact

iPad Pro concept design

The potential repurposing of the current iPad Pro chassis for the new iPad Air models is especially interesting, suggesting a significant redesign of the iPad Pro line. This could mean even more advanced features are on the way:

• OLED Displays: Set to enhance visual quality to new levels.
• Advanced Input and Connectivity Options: Improved Apple Pencils and additional connectivity ports are likely to make these devices more versatile and functional.
• Cutting-Edge Design Innovations: Expect sleeker designs with slimmer bezels and potentially new size options.

iPad Pro concept design

Additional Considerations when deciding whether to upgrade:

• Budget: Consider the cost-effectiveness based on the new features offered.
• Compatibility: Verify whether existing accessories will be compatible with the new models.
• Longevity: Investing in a newer model ensures longer support and updates from Apple, providing better long-term value.

As anticipation builds for the official announcements at the “Let Loose” event, the excitement highlights Apple’s ongoing innovation and leadership in the tech industry. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting unveiling of Apple’s newest creations!

The post There Are 5 iPads in Apple’s 2024 Lineup: Is It Time to Upgrade? first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you asked anyone on the streets, they’d probably agree that Apple stands at the cutting edge of innovation. The company leads the smartphone market, wearable market, and tablet market, is one of the leaders in the desktop and laptop markets too, and is touted to be quite the disruptor in the AR/VR market too. Apple makes its own silicon, has a remarkable supply chain, runs its entire headquarters on renewable energy, and is set to go entirely carbon neutral by 2030. The company improves each product line at most every year, or at least every 2-3 years, but there are products in Apple’s production line that still haven’t seen updates in 3-4 or more years (some haven’t been updated in almost 9 years at this point). We’ve made a list of some of the ‘oldest’ products still available on Apple’s website dating back as early as 2015 and as recent as 2021. Now sure, all these devices are pretty great even by today’s standards… but there’s definitely room for improvement… and we’ve taken the liberty to leave out accessories like connectors and cables. Here are some of the ‘oldest’ Apple products you can still buy today.

Magic Mouse Gen 2 (2015)

It’s been nearly a decade since the infamous Magic Mouse Gen 2 got an update. Okay, maybe that isn’t entirely true because the wireless mouse did get a refresh in 2019 and 2021, but the only thing that materially changed was the introduction of new color variants. Even today, however, the mouse runs on the same internals, houses the same Lightning port, and still charges in a way that continues to baffle users around the globe. It’s speculated that Apple will be giving the mouse a refresh in 2024, although most rumors say that the company only plans on upgrading the charging port to USB-C. If you ask me, there’s a lot more they can do to improve the Magic Mouse’s design…

Magic Trackpad 3 (2015)

The Magic Trackpad 3 too shares this distinction with the Magic Mouse Gen 2. Debuted in 2015, the trackpad has only received color refreshes in upcoming years. However, the distinct difference between the trackpad and the mouse is that there really seems to be no room for improvement as far as this product is concerned. It looks sleek, performs well, and is wireless. It also charges via Lightning, which is something Apple should change moving forward, but at least you don’t need to turn the trackpad upside down while charging it…

Pro Display XDR (2019)

2019 really got overshadowed by the cheesegrater Mac Pro and its incredibly expensive wheels, but alongside them was also announced the Pro Display XDR. Designed to be the most high-end display available for Mac users, the display boasted a 32-inch 6K Retina screen with an ‘astonishing’ 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and an eye-watering $4999 starting price – that’s about as much as one Vision Pro headset and one iPhone 15 Pro Max with some change to spare. Surely the Pro Display XDR isn’t for everyone (Apple has a slightly more affordable Studio Display for most users), which is probably why Apple never gave it an update post-2019. After all, do you really need to upgrade a 32-inch 6K Retina display?! Fun Fact: The cheesegrater Mac Pro actually got an update in June 2023 with the M2 Ultra chip, leaving the Pro Display XDR behind.

AirPods Max (2020)

It became almost certain when Apple acquired Beats by Dre that they had plans of their own to enter the wearable audio market in a big way. The Beats acquisition happened in 2014, and just 2 years later, Apple dropped the first wireless AirPods in 2016. However, it took the company 4 full years to release their first wireless over-ear headsets. The AirPods Max debuted in December of 2020, immediately becoming Apple’s flagship wearable audio device. It had everything – an aluminum design, a woven head strap, a fancy charging case, a rotating crown, and Spatial Audio (one of the first devices to support the feature). In all honesty, Apple doesn’t really NEED to refresh the AirPods Max because feature-for-feature, they’re just as good today as they were 4 years ago. However, there’s always room for improvement – for example, the AirPods Max doesn’t have an Ultra-Wideband chip that makes them easy to track using Apple’s Find My app, the charging case is one of the most absurd designs ever, and hey, we’re still stuck on Lightning when the AirPods Pro have upgraded to USB-C.

AirTag (2021)

Ah, the AirTags, every clutterbrain and stalker’s best friend. Announced in 2021, the AirTag leverages Apple’s Find My network and their Ultra-Wideband chip to really help you track and detect objects with precise accuracy. They run on CR2032 batteries which last around a year and are easy to replace – a big improvement over some tracking devices that have built-in batteries that can’t be removed. However, the AirTags haven’t seen any update since their announcement in 2021. Now here’s the question again – do they need updating? Well, on the feature front, no… they’re pretty good, have anti-stalking features, and are fairly helpful when it comes to tracking everything from bags, to pets, to even vehicles. However, the one major upgrade they need is on the design front. They’re circular and bulky, which makes them difficult to store in wallets, passport covers, and other slim belongings. Heck, I’d like a slim AirTag just so I could strap it to my Apple TV remote which keeps getting lost every third day.

iPad Mini 6th Gen (2021)

The AirTags weren’t the only product to get left behind in 2021 – Apple hasn’t refreshed the iPad Mini in 3 years either, still leaving it with the A15 Bionic chip while the other iPads get their M-series chips. Now it’s entirely possible that Apple’s held the iPad Mini back all these years deliberately – the people who buy the tiny iPad aren’t Apple’s core tablet users. They don’t need power features, they don’t edit movies on their tablet, and they clearly don’t need their tablet to work as a makeshift laptop with a dedicated keyboard folio case. However, the iPad Mini 6th Gen does support the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil and does have a USB-C port that also works for connecting external displays. The iPad Mini, as small as it is, was built to be a mighty little tablet. However, that A15 Bionic chip doesn’t really compare to the M3 chip that Apple’s due to give its latest iPads this year. Could we also see a better camera system on the iPad Mini if it gets refreshed soon? I surely hope so… but up until then, we’re stuck with the model from 2021.

Bonus – Apple Card (2019)

The Apple Card makes it to this list for purely technical reasons, but truth be told, there’s never any need to update a payments card the way you’d update smartphones and tablets every year. Apple announced the card in 2019 in partnership with Goldman Sachs, but as of 2023 November, Goldman Sachs will stop providing banking support for the card, leaving Apple to look for another partner. As far as the card’s design goes, there’s not much you can upgrade – the Apple Card comes machined from solid titanium, making it highly durable, but it’s still susceptible to scratches or discoloration. Maybe color variants??

The post Here Are The Oldest Apple Products Still Available Today first appeared on Yanko Design.