Earlier this month, Apple released the new M3 MacBook Air with a surprise press release on Monday, March 4. This was notable for several reasons: first, we expected Apple to hold a spring event this year, and second, they didn’t. accompanied by new iPads.
With no event happening, we thought the new iPads would launch the next day or week, but more than two weeks later that hasn’t happened. Then there was a rumor earlier this week that Apple would unveil the new iPads on Tuesday, March 26, but apparently that’s not happening either.
So, when are the new iPads coming? Let’s look at what we know.
Multiple reports have claimed that the new iPads won’t ship until April. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that a new version of iOS 17.4 for the new iPads “won’t be completed until late March or even sometime in April,” a process that “could last a few weeks, likely taking us deeper into the next stage.” . month.”
Separately, Ross Young of Display Supply Chain Consultants says that although new OLED panels for the iPad Pro began shipping in February, production and pricing issues have led to some delays, particularly with the 11-inch model. .
If Apple announces the iPads next week, they will likely go on sale Friday, March 29, which is probably too early to have inventory in stores based on these reports. Plus, it’s the week before the Easter holiday, which is usually quiet for announcements. For example, in 2020, Easter was on Sunday, April 12, and Apple chose to announce the new iPhone SE the following week.
Here is a list of Apple’s announcements via press release since 2019:
- MacBook Air M3: Monday March 4, 2024
- MacBook Pro M2 Pro/Max: Tuesday January 17, 2023
- 2nd generation HomePod: Wednesday January 18, 2023
- iPad 10th generation/iPad Pro 6th generation: Tuesday October 18, 2022
- 2nd generation iPhone SE: Wednesday April 15, 2020
- 4th generation iPad Pro: Wednesday March 18, 2020
- 5th generation iPad mini: Monday March 18, 2019
- 3rd generation iPad Air: Monday March 18, 2019
- iMac (Intel 9th generation): Tuesday March 19, 2019
Apple announced iPads on Mondays and Tuesdays, but not on Wednesdays. Put it all together and our best guess for an iPad release is Tuesday, April 9. This gives Apple enough time to gather inventory, finish the new iPadOS 17.4 release, celebrate the Easter holiday, and generate a little more buzz. So plan accordingly.
