New iPad (2021) could bear a striking resemblance to an older iPad Air
A super-thin iPad
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We’ve been hearing rumors of anew iPad for 2021to joinApple’s entry-level line-up. This range of relatively low cost slates doesn’t often change much between iterations, and it’s not likely this one will present a huge redesign, but we’ve heard Apple is trying to make the slate a touch more like some of its other tablets.
According to Japanese tech siteMacotakara, paraphrasing a Chinese supplier, ‘the next iPad (9th Generation) is likely to be based on the iPad Air (3rd Generation)’. As per the name, theiPad Air 3was pretty thin and light, and apparently Apple is bringing that design over to its next entry-level slate.
It’s worth pointing out Macotakara only has a 68.8% accuracy onAppleTrack, meaning a third of the Apple-related rumors and leaks it covers prove untrue, so take this news with a pinch of salt.
Apparently, the next iPad will have a 10.2-inch display - that’s the same size as the 2020 model, though we’d heard the 2021 version could bump that up to 10.5 inches.
The leak also states the new iPad will continue to use “Touch ID, a Lightning ports Full-Lamination Displays, Anti-reflective Coating, P3 Displays, True Tone Displays etc”, so it’s clear this isn’t a total redesign, Apple might just be making a leaner machine.
For if you wanted an iPad Air…
The latestiPad Air 4didn’t actually look like its predecessors, instead looking like an iPad Pro model with flat edges, thin bezels and no Touch ID home button on the front.
Some people prefer the looks of the older iPad Airs compared to the newer ones though as a physical front-facing Touch ID button can be easier for some to use, but the thin and light body adds to the portability.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
So if you were looking for a tablet that looked like theiPad Air 3you were out of luck - by the sounds of it, though, Apple is filling this niche again with its upcoming entry-level iPad.
Tom Bedford was deputy phones editor on TechRadar until late 2022, having worked his way up from staff writer. Though he specialized in phones and tablets, he also took on other tech like electric scooters, smartwatches, fitness, mobile gaming and more. He is based in London, UK and now works for the entertainment site What To Watch.
He graduated in American Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. Prior to working on TechRadar, he freelanced in tech, gaming and entertainment, and also spent many years working as a mixologist.
I tried the iPad mini 7 and it’s the perfect (and cheapest) device for Apple Intelligence
iPad Pro M5 tipped to land next year – but not until long after the iPad 11 and the next iPad Air
Professionals are facing “tech overload” as they try to juggle multiple devices in the workplace
