Apple’s latest 11th-generation iPad could be just around the corner, with a potential release window in early 2025. According to a Bloomberg report, the Cupertino-based tech giant may debut this entry-level iPad sometime between March and May next year, during the US spring season. Alongside the base iPad, Apple is also rumoured to be working on updates to the iPad Air and iPhone SE, which could be released around the same timeframe.
Early reports suggest that Apple’s 11th-generation iPad may closely resemble the current 10th-generation model, which launched in November 2022. The current iPad sports a 10.9-inch LCD screen and is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, providing solid performance for everyday tasks and entertainment. While the 11th-generation iPad is anticipated to maintain the same design, it’s expected to receive a more powerful processor to improve speed and efficiency.
Though the exact chip is unknown, some industry analysts predict it could feature the A16 Bionic processor, which aligns with Apple’s pattern of generational upgrades. The A16 Bionic is known for delivering faster performance and better power efficiency, and this upgrade could make the new iPad well-suited for multitasking and more intensive apps, even without a significant design overhaul.
According to Apple’s strategy, iPads are launched in two years’ intervals and so there was an expectancy of a new low-cost iPad to be officially introduced in 2023. So today’s announcement may raise a few eyebrows when considering that such advancements have been pushed back to 2025. One such argument may be the promises of new features in Apple Intelligence. It’s a set of AI technologies which should empower all aspects of the user and device experience. A next-gen iPad would comfortably use the A16 chip, but it is not designed to allow automatic installation of Apple Intelligent Activation. Perhaps this is what led to the postponement as the tech giant tries to perfect this combination before the next generation of devices.
In the meantime, Apple has also launched the iPad Mini 7 in other regions. The features of the iPad Mini 7 are an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the A17 Pro processor, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro. It is powered by iPadOS 18 and is available in four colours including the recently added blue and purple. Apple has placed the price of the starting Wi-Fi model at Rs 49,900 whereas the cellular model starts at Rs 64,900.
As a new entry into Apple's iPad lineup, the 11th generation iPad comes with improved performance and most importantly, increased affordability which means self-flourishing expectations for users have increased for early 2025.