Earlier this month Apple launched the brand new M3 MacBook Air with a shock press launch on Monday, March 4. That was notable for a few causes: One, we anticipated Apple to carry a spring occasion this yr, and two, they weren’t accompanied by new iPads.
With no occasion, we thought new iPads would launch the following day or the next week, however greater than two weeks later, that hasn’t occurred. Then there was a rumor earlier this week that Apple would unveil the brand new iPads on Tuesday, March 26, however this week has come and gone with out an announcement, so it seems new iPads will formally be launching in April now.
However when precisely will the brand new iPads arrive? Let’s have a look at what we all know.
A number of studies have claimed that the brand new iPads gained’t ship till April. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg studies {that a} new model of iOS 17.4 for the brand new iPads “gained’t be full till the tip of March and even someday in April,” a course of that “might final a pair weeks, in all probability taking us deeper into subsequent month.”
Individually, Ross Younger of Show Provide Chain Consultants says that whereas the brand new OLED panels for the iPad Professional started delivery in February, manufacturing and worth points prompted some delays, notably with the 11-inch mannequin.
If Apple declares iPads subsequent week, they might more than likely go on sale Friday, March 29, which might be too early to have inventory in shops primarily based on these studies. Plus, it’s the week main into the Easter vacation, which is usually a quiet one for bulletins. For instance, in 2020, Easter was on Sunday, April 12, and Apple opted to announce the brand new iPhone SE the next week.
Right here’s an inventory of Apple’s bulletins by way of press launch since 2019:
- M3 MacBook Air: Monday, March 4, 2024
- M2 Professional/Max MacBook Professional: Tuesday, January 17, 2023
- 2nd-gen HomePod: Wednesday, January 18, 2023
- Tenth-gen iPad/Sixth-gen iPad Professional: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
- 2nd-gen iPhone SE: Wednesday, April 15, 2020
- 4th-gen iPad Professional: Wednesday, March 18, 2020
- Fifth-gen iPad mini: Monday, March 18, 2019
- Third-gen iPad Air: Monday, March 18, 2019
- iMac (Intel Ninth-generation): Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Apple has introduced iPads on Mondays and Tuesdays and as soon as on Wednesday on account of Covid shakeups. Nonetheless, main bulletins (Tenth-gen iPad, M2 MacBook Professional) typically occur on a Tuesday, whereas Mondays are relegated to smaller updates, just like the latest M3 MacBook Air.
So what does all of it imply? Put all the clues collectively and our greatest guess for an iPad launch is both Tuesday, April 2 or April 9. We’re leaning towards April 9, which provides Apple loads of time to assemble inventory, end the brand new construct of iPadOS 17.4, rejoice the Easter vacation, and generate a bit extra buzz. So plan accordingly.
Whilst you wait, try our iPad Air and iPad Professional rumor roundups so you realize what to anticipate from the releases after they arrive.
