Why you should wait for Apple’s March Event before shopping for an iPad

You may want to hold off on purchasing a new iPad until after the upcoming Apple March Event. We explain all below.

Apple made some major announcements last year. The new iPhone 15 series debuted with Titanium and A17 chips, MacBook Pros were updated with the latest M3 series chips, and the Apple Vision Pro went on sale. All of this is great, but Apple forgot about its iPad lineup in 2023.

The only update was the introduction of a new USB-C Apple Pencil. The iPads that you can buy right now aren’t bad, but it’s better to wait for the Apple March Event.

If reports are to be believed, Apple has a handful of new hardware to announce during its upcoming Spring event. This includes loads of new iPads. Apple may refresh at least three of its popular iPads this March. We’re betting on new iPad Air models and a new iPad Pro.

The current slate of iPads

Apple’s iPad lineup is arguably unmatched by any other manufacturer out there. Samsung is getting close with its Galaxy Tab range, but they have yet to gain as much traction as the iPads. The iPad Pro 6th generation is the best iPad you can get at the moment.

It’s also the most expensive one, starting at $799. You get the iPad in either 12.9-inch or 11-inch screen size, powered by the Apple M2 silicon— the same processor that also fuels the MacBooks.

Apple

For those who don’t need the latest and greatest, Apple has an iPad Air. The most recent model was announced in 2022 and it keeps the same design we saw Apple bring to the Air in late 2020, but features an M1 processor and 5G connectivity, and starts at just $599.

The standard iPad is an entry-level offering with just the features you need. The latest iPad 10th generation is arguably the best value in the iPad range.

It brings the same features as the more expensive Pro and Air models in a lightweight form factor with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and a price tag of $449 (unless you get it with a discount).

There’s also an iPad Mini for those looking for a compact iPad. It has a mere 8.3-inch display and features the same A15 Bionic SoC used on iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro/Max. iPad Mini starts at $499. This is pretty old at this point, and shouldn’t really be on your list unless you absolutely need a smaller tablet.

Apple March Event could bring even better iPads

You might understand from the quick rundown above that Apple’s iPad lineup is strong, even in 2024. But you might miss out on a lot of better iPads if you make the purchase right now. Considering March is just around the corner, there’s no harm in waiting to see what’s on the horizon.

Among the many expected launches, the major one could be the new iPad Air models. According to Bloomberg, Apple will introduce a new 12.9-inch iPad Air model this year. This means the Air will now have the same screen sizes as the iPad Pro lineup.

The 12.9-inch iPad Air is reported to use the same LCD screen technology as the 10.9-inch model. The new iPad Air could be superior in the performance department, boasting an M2 chipset.

Apple may also announce the OLED iPad Pro of your dreams this March. Currently, the 11-inch iPad Pro uses an LCD screen with conventional backlighting, while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro features mini-LED backlighting. The entire iPad Pro lineup will switch to OLED displays for the first time.

In case you’re not aware, OLED panels are lighter and thinner, use less energy, and offer the best viewing angle by far. They are also capable of showing significantly better black levels.

Another big upgrade to the iPad Pros will likely be the M3 chip. Apple introduced its latest chip series with the MacBook Pros in October 2023, and it’s expected that the new iPad Pros will get it too. Who knows, maybe the iPad Pro will also get some new ports like the MacBook Pro did.

So the bottom line is, if you are planning to get an iPad Air or an iPad Pro anytime soon, you might want to hold your horses to see what Apple has in store in March.

You might have to wait longer for these iPads

While the iPad Pro and iPad Air are almost confirmed to be getting updated this March, the standard iPad and the iPad Mini may not be in the same queue.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says both new iPads will be unveiled in the second half of 2024. A supply chain report from Nikkei Asia also backs Kuo’s claims. You may get them just in time for the holiday later this year.