Apple has only just started selling the newest member of the iPad family, the 10th generation iPad, but there are already reports of a new model on the way. According to Wayne Ma of The Information, Apple is working on a massive 16-inch iPad that could hit shelves before the holidays next year.
No other information is available – cost, specs, features – but conclusions can be drawn. Such a device would have a screen the size of the 16-inch MacBook Pro and would be aimed at digital artists and content creators who want a larger surface to work on. It would likely have a larger version of Apple’s mini-LED XDR display in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, as well as ProMotion.
With the larger size and battery, the ability to include an M2 Pro or M3 Pro chip instead of the standard M2 (or M3) seems reasonable. This would certainly be Apple’s most expensive iPad and would require all-new accessories such as cases, covers, and keyboards, which would likely share a higher price point as well. A starting price of $1,499 seems reasonable, with accessories pushing it well above $2,000.
The iPad Pro hasn’t had a redesign since 2018 when Apple added Face ID and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. Since then, there have been minor renovations in 2020 (A12Z), 2021 (M1) and 2022 (M2).
Previous reports have claimed that Apple is looking for a 14.1-inch iPad Pro to be released in early 2023. It’s unclear whether Apple is simply weighing up size options here, or actually two Next year, iPads will be launched that are larger than the current 12.9-inch model. There’s also a rumor that Apple is working on a “lite” version of macOS for the M2-based iPad Pro, so 2023 could be a turning point for Apple’s professional tablet line.
