Apple just introduced a new iPad Pro in standard 11-inch and 12.9-inch varieties, but it appears other iPad models in the lineup will undergo some resizing in the near future.
Both the iPad and the iPad Mini are about to get larger than ever, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. MacRumors obtained a research note revealing that Apple plans to announce a new 10.8-inch iPad and a larger iPad Mini. Apple doesn’t intend to launch them together, though. Kuo suggests the 10.8-inch iPad will arrive in the second half of 2020, and the larger iPad Mini should trail it in the first half of 2021.
In terms of the larger iPad Mini, Kuo believes it’ll ship with an LCD panel measuring between 8.5 and 9 inches. Apple’s existing iPad Mini sports a 7.9-inch display. Both are likely to remain as affordable as the tablets they’re replacing in the lineup. The regular iPad, which features a 10.2-inch display, starts at $329 while the iPad Mini starts at $399. Apple will modify their sizes and internal specifications, but ultimately these iPad models should resemble their predecessors externally.
Kuo also declared that Apple’s smart glasses will debut no earlier than 2022. It aligns with a separate report from The Information, which said Apple will release an augmented reality-based headset in 2022 and simplify its design in 2023. Apple’s smart glasses are expected to rely on the iPhone to offload system processing and thus keep the product lightweight enough to use for extended periods of time. Reports also claim Apple’s building a new operating system to control the smart glasses through touch, voice, and hand gestures.
Apple acquired NextVR earlier this week, confirming a long-term plan to implement virtual and augmented reality in future products.
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