Apple's base-model tablet is one of the best iPads available thanks to its very low price, bringing nearly all the benefits and perks of the Apple ecosystem without the premium price of the iPad Air. Although a new one only came out last year, the 2020 iPad still sports the old design and its processor is a little long in the tooth, which is why we're pumped about the news a new one might be on the way.
Name
Call it iPad. That's the name Apple has used for some time now, nice and simple to denote this is as basic as it gets when it comes to Apple tablets.
Design
As mentioned the current iPad features the large chin and forehead design of old, along with a Home Button that houses Touch ID. This design has been surpassed in recent years by devices like the M1 iPad Pro (2021) and iPad Air, and there's even a report that Apple's next iPad Mini 6 might get the redesign treatment.
However, reports indicate the ninth-generation iPad will retain its old design, but will the thinner than previous versions. From Mark Gurman:
In a new Power On video for Bloomberg, Gurman listed planned upgrades and expectations for Apple's iPhone 13, new AirPods, and a new iPad mini, as well as plans for a new ninth-generation iPad:
... as well as a new ninth-generation iPad, geared towards students, with a thinner form factor and faster processor.
Thinner might well mean lighter, but the lack of updated design might put off some. However, it seems imperative to keeping the price down and isn't the first we've heard of an older design, with Macotakara reporting similar news in January.
Processor
As noted above, Mark Gurman says the new iPad will feature a new processor. At the time of release, it got the A12 Bionic chip, which fell down the pecking order with the release of the A14 in the iPhone 12 that same year. With that in mind, don't expect the iPhone 13's A15 processor. Even the A14 might be a stretch, especially if Apple wants to keep the price down.
Price
Apple's current iPad is $329, or just $299 for students. As Gurman notes Apple is gearing the next tablet towards students, so expect a similar or identical pricing structure to the current one.
Release date
A fairly strange rumor recently suggested that Apple is planning more than one September event, claiming the ninth-generation iPad could be released then, meaning it might just be weeks away. From August 20:
A new Digitimes report regarding Apple's iPad claims Apple plans to host a "series of product launch conferences in September." We've already heard multiple reports that we can expect the iPhone 13 to launch next month, and it makes sense that Apple might debut more than one new product at this event, just like it did last year with iPhone 12, currently Apple's best iPhone. Digitimes indicates a new base model iPad, rumored for a slight redesign, will be announced at one of these September events.
The next iPad probably won't be a stonking upgrade, but a few slight tweaks should keep it relevant in today's market whilst keeping the price down, giving prospective tablet owners a cheap inroad into the world of Apple's tablets.
Great value iPad
iPad (2020)
If you've never had an iPad before, are upgrading from a much older model, or don't want to spend a lot of money on your iPad experience, the iPad (2020) is the iPad you should be buying.
Apple iPad (2021): Rumors, release date, price, features, and more posted first on http://bestpricesmartphones.blogspot.com
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