Apple’s Near Miss with a 14-Inch iPad

By Sara
Apple’s Near Miss with a 14-Inch iPad

Apple came close to launching a groundbreaking 14-inch iPad this year, according to reports by Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. In his recent “Power On” newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple had been toying with the idea of a larger iPad since 2021, and they nearly released a 14-inch variant, which would have been their largest iPad yet. However, this project seems to have been shelved for the time being, with no indication of its imminent release.

The OLED Display Challenge

One major hurdle in the development of this larger iPad was the transition to OLED displays. While OLED screens offer excellent visual quality, they also come with significantly higher production costs, especially for larger tablet displays. The first iPad Pro models with OLED screens are expected to max out at 13 inches, set to hit the market in the first half of 2024.

Blurring the Lines Between Tablet and Laptop

Gurman was the first to suggest that Apple was exploring iPads with larger screens, blurring the lines between tablets and laptops. This idea gained traction in January 2022 when several suppliers, including BOE and LG, began preparing to manufacture OLED displays around 15 inches in size, suitable for future iPad models.

Rumors and Changes

Rumors started circulating, with “Majin Bu” claiming that Apple was working on a 14.1-inch iPad featuring the M2 chip. This rumor was supported by display industry analyst Ross Young, who suggested the device would sport a mini-LED display but lack ProMotion for variable refresh rates. However, later updates hinted at a switch to an LCD display, similar to those used in the iPad mini and iPad Air.

The 16-Inch iPad Dream

In October 2022, Wayne Ma from The Information reported that Apple was actively developing a 16-inch iPad, aiming for a fourth-quarter 2023 release. This device would offer a screen size akin to a 16-inch MacBook Pro, providing users with a much larger canvas for their tasks. Nevertheless, as of now, little information is available about this project.

Future Possibilities

Despite the uncertainty surrounding larger iPad models, it’s evident that Apple remains interested in this concept. Currently, the largest iPads available are the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, still smaller than the smallest MacBooks. Given the trend towards larger displays in MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, it seems likely that Apple will eventually introduce a significantly larger iPad model.

Conclusion,

While the 14.1-inch iPad project appears to be on hold, Apple’s exploration of larger iPads continues, with the possibility of a 16-inch iPad on the horizon. Bloomberg’s repeated discussions on this topic suggest that Apple’s interest in expanding its iPad lineup remains strong.