Apple is gearing up to launch two new iPad models this fall, likely during its annual iPhone keynote next month. The lineup will feature a new 11th generation entry-level iPad and the 7th generation iPad mini, both of which have not seen updates in over two years.

11th Generation iPad

The last update to this iPad was in October 2022, which brought the most significant redesign since 2017. This included a flat-sided design, a variety of vibrant colors, a switch to USB-C, and landscape stereo speakers. It was also the first iPad to feature a landscape selfie camera, launching at $449. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is working on reducing production costs for this model. While it’s unclear if this will lead to a price drop, the price was previously reduced to $349 after Apple’s May 7th event.

The current 10th generation iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip. The 11th generation model might upgrade to the A16 Bionic, although there is speculation that Apple could opt for the A17 or A18 chip, especially with the introduction of Apple Intelligence.

7th Generation iPad mini

The iPad mini was last refreshed in September 2021, featuring a flat-sided design, USB-C, and support for Apple Pencil 2. As the oldest iPad in the lineup, it lacks some features found in newer models, such as a landscape front-facing camera and Apple Pencil Pro support. These features are expected in the 7th generation refresh, although the camera might remain in portrait orientation due to the mini’s typical use case.

The new iPad mini is likely to include the latest A18 chipset, bringing Apple Intelligence features to the smallest iPad for the first time. This will enable new functionalities like the updated Siri, Genmoji, and Image Playground. Additionally, the iPad mini 7 is expected to start with 128GB of storage, up from 64GB, and maintain the $499 starting price.

Stage Manager

Apple’s Stage Manager, introduced in iPadOS 16, initially required an M1 chip or newer. It was later expanded to A12X and A12Z iPad Pros, though without external display support. There is a possibility that Stage Manager will be available on the new iPads with A16, A17, or A18 chips, making them more appealing upgrades.

Wrap Up

While these updates may seem minor, they are significant for iPad enthusiasts. As an iPad mini fan, the addition of Apple Intelligence and potentially Stage Manager is exciting.