Apple (AAPL) To Announce New iPads In April

Photographer: Jean Chung / Bloomberg

Apple Inc. plans to announce new iPads as early as April, and this will contribute to a product line that performs particularly well while people are working and studying from home, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The people plan to bring about a refresh of its iPad Pro line and add a better processor and improved cameras. The new models look similar to the current iPad Pros and have the same screen size of 11 inches and 12.9 inches.

The devices have an updated processor that matches the faster M1 chip in the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Apple designs these processors itself and usually has them made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Apple also wants to include a Mini-LED screen with at least the larger model, which will be brighter and have improved contrast ratios.

In testing, the new iPad Pros used a Thunderbolt connector, the same port on the latest Macs with custom Apple processors. The port does not require new chargers, but it will allow connection with additional external monitors, hard drives and other peripherals. It is also faster to synchronize data than the USB-C technology used in current models.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment. The company has yet to announce its first product launch event of the year so it can change its plans.

The iPad generated $ 8.4 billion in revenue for Apple during the key holiday quarter of 2020, the most since 2014. Sales rose at the request of people working and studying at home during the pandemic. As employees and students begin to return to their offices and schools in the coming months, Apple will be betting on the new iPad models to maintain interest in the tablet range.

IPad WFH Pop

The iPad Pro was last updated in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, with a custom processor, support for the Magic Keyboard with Trackpad cover, and a member scanner next to the camera.

Apple plans to refresh its cheapest iPad later this year, aimed at students with a thinner and lighter design, Bloomberg News reports. It is also launching a new iPad mini with a larger screen this year, an increase compared to the 7.9-inch screen used since the first model. The iPad mini was last upgraded in 2019 with support for the Apple Pencil stylus and a faster processor.

Apple is planning a number of other updates over the year. The company is working on new iPhones and Apple Watches, an accessory to track the location of physical objects, and major updates to the MacBook Pro laptop and iMac desktop.