If you’re in the market for a tablet and money isn’t on your mind, chances are you’ve considered at least one iPad model. And if you’re interested in a high-end device, the feeling is almost invariably that bigger is better…at least in the tech world.
Well, that’s partly true – the bigger the iPad, the bigger the screen for Apple productivity features. That’s why the 12.9″ The iPad Pro is probably one of the best devices for power users except for the high price. But how big can an iPad be? Are we going to exceed the current maximum and should we wait for that to happen?
To answer the first question, in all likelihood the iPad will soon get bigger. Whether the size bump will be that significant is another matter altogether. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a look at what Apple has in store for us in the immediate future when it comes to its biggest iPads.
The iPad Pro
Currently, the biggest an iPad can get is 12.9 inches. This is the screen size of Apple’s larger iPad Pro. The latter received a (minor) update in 2022 and is now powered by the blazingly fast M2 chipset. Coincidentally, it’s also the iPad that packs the most punch overall, with its 120Hz ProMotion mini-LED display and a plethora of other impressive specs.
However, unless you need an iPad ASAP, you probably shouldn’t buy it. The The 2022 iPad Pro is a modest improvement over its already excellent predecessor. Plus, next year we’ll get one of the biggest redesigns of the iPad Pro since the line’s inception.
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, 2023 will be a very lackluster year for the iPad. However, in 2024, the iPad Pro will receive an M3 chipset (with a completely new architecture), a new design and… an OLED screen. This will make the iPad Pro 2024 far superior to the current model.
Moreover, According to Ross Young, a prominent display industry insider, the 2024 iPad Pro will be slightly larger than its predecessor, up to 13″. This, coupled with the thinner bezels and horizontal orientation, could drastically change the screen clutter.
In short, you can expect a rather impressive 13″ OLED iPad Pro from Apple in 2024, alongside an 11.1″ version. If you can’t wait, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro M1, easily found yet at a discount, probably offers the best value for money around.
It’s worth noting that the 13″ might just be the start. Apple is rumored to have an even bigger iPad on the horizon.
The 14 inch iPad
Based on most reports, the Cupertino company is developing a huge 14-inch iPad, with a 14.1-inch screen to be precise. While originally slated to debut in 2023, the gargantuan tablet has reportedly been pushed back, according to Ross Young. That doesn’t necessarily mean the project has been canceled altogether, as Mark Gurman notes that Apple is exploring the idea of bigger iPads down the road. Still, it could be years before Apple releases a 13″+ iPad.
Additionally, there have been many conflicting reports about the specs of the upcoming massive iPad, most of which surround the display. It’s still not entirely certain which type of panel Apple wants to use. Repeatedly, analysts have predicted that the device will feature an LCD, mini-LED and even an OLED display.
This is very important as the display technology will determine a number of things including target audience and price. A 14-inch OLED/mini-LED iPad will be aimed at high-end consumers and will likely be very expensive.
Alternatively, a 14-inch LCD iPad could be an ideal smart display, with a focus on home connectivity (a market Apple is apparently interested in entering). Such a device would have a significantly lower price.
Foldable iPad
Finally, there is also rumors (courtesy of prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo) of a potential foldable iPad that could launch in 2025. The device is said to have the form factor of a iPad mini when folded, but will not replace Apple’s smaller line of iPads.
A foldable iPad is still a long way off, but such a device could also easily outsize the current 12.9″ iPad Pro when unfolded. It would also be ridiculously expensive.
Nevertheless, the two aforementioned devices are still in the realm of speculation. For now, it seems possible that 13″ will remain the maximum for quite some time.
