Apple’s mid-range iPad Air tablet will get a 60Hz to 90Hz upgrade next year if a new report is accurate. The feature will then roll out to Apple’s iMac and Studio Display, potentially later in 2025.
The difficulty with the iPad Air, as far as Apple’s marketing department is concerned, is finding the happy medium between the standard iPad and the iPad Pro. The company needs the Air to be significantly better equipped than the economy model or no one will buy it, but it doesn’t want the Air to become too powerful or it risks cannibalizing sales of the Pro. It’s a tightrope.
However, based on the latest report, Apple has come up with an inventive way to walk this tightrope between the iPad Air’s cheaper and more expensive siblings. This will give the Air a screen refresh rate that’s literally halfway between those of the standard and Pro models.
Since its second generation in 2017, the iPad Pro, alone among Apple products, has featured a dynamic refresh rate that can be increased up to 120Hz if necessary. This allows it to provide smoother animation, sharper responsiveness, and better performance when using the Apple Pencil. Other iPads (and all iPhones), on the other hand, have a 60Hz refresh rate. But that should change next year.
An anonymous source (via 9to5Mac) contacted the Upgrade podcast (co-hosted by longtime igamesnews contributor Jason Snell) with a tip on the 7th generation iPad Air, which is scheduled to launch in 2025.
“I have news on screen improvements for the next generation iPad Air M3. Apple is working on a higher refresh rate LCD with a new liquid motion panel set at around 90 Hz. They are also working on expanding it to other models or products like a 24-inch iMac and a 24-inch studio monitor. new generation.
Note the word “fixed”. It doesn’t appear that the Air will benefit from the dynamic element of the iPad Pro’s ProMotion screen, which is so important for preserving battery life; it only operates at 120Hz when necessary. On the other hand, this seems to be constantly fixed at 90 Hz, like the current screen at 60 Hz.
Still, it’s a welcome upgrade for the Air, then the iMac and Studio Display. For all the latest news and rumors, check out our guide to all the new Apple products launching in 2024 and 2025.
