Apple's 'iPad Air 4' in 2021 could sport USB-C connector, 11-inch display
Apple's "iPad Air 4" could be equipped with an 11-inch display and a USB-C connector and arrive in 2021, a new rumor claims.
Apple's iPad Air 3
The new iPad Air model could debut in March 2021, a full two years after the company refreshed the iPad Air lineup in March 2019. That marked the first refresh of the iPad Air lineup since the second-generation model in 2014.
According to a report from MyDrivers, the so-called "iPad Air 4" will sport a variant of Apple's A14 processor, and could also adopt a USB-C port and an 11-inch Liquid Retina display. The addition of USB-C could suggest that Apple is positioning the iPad Air lineup as a lower-priced professional device more akin to the iPad Pro, and the bump in screen size could indicate slimmer bezel design.
MyDrivers also suggests that Apple will release a new Magic Keyboard model compatible with the iPad Air 4 -- a rumor that we've also seen before. With iPadOS, current iPad Air models support trackpads and mice, though the Magic Keyboard is an iPad Pro-exclusive currently.
For reference, the previous iPad Air 3 has a 10.5-inch LCD screen and retains Apple's signature Lightning port. Apple sells a trackpad keyboard case for the iPad Air, though it's a third-party Logitech model.
The report suggests that the new iPad Air model will start at $649, an increase compared to the previous generation's $499 price tag. It's rumored to be available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage configurations.
This isn't the first time we've heard rumors of the iPad Air lineup ditching Lightning. In June, a supply chain report suggested that the next generation of the device could be the first non-Pro iPad to adopt USB-C. Apple is also expected to refresh the iPad mini, though that smaller tablet is expected to retain a Lightning port and only see a small bump to display size.
MyDrivers has a mixed track record of reporting on Apple's future plans, though the company has produced accurate information in the past.
Apple's iPad Air 3
The new iPad Air model could debut in March 2021, a full two years after the company refreshed the iPad Air lineup in March 2019. That marked the first refresh of the iPad Air lineup since the second-generation model in 2014.
According to a report from MyDrivers, the so-called "iPad Air 4" will sport a variant of Apple's A14 processor, and could also adopt a USB-C port and an 11-inch Liquid Retina display. The addition of USB-C could suggest that Apple is positioning the iPad Air lineup as a lower-priced professional device more akin to the iPad Pro, and the bump in screen size could indicate slimmer bezel design.
MyDrivers also suggests that Apple will release a new Magic Keyboard model compatible with the iPad Air 4 -- a rumor that we've also seen before. With iPadOS, current iPad Air models support trackpads and mice, though the Magic Keyboard is an iPad Pro-exclusive currently.
For reference, the previous iPad Air 3 has a 10.5-inch LCD screen and retains Apple's signature Lightning port. Apple sells a trackpad keyboard case for the iPad Air, though it's a third-party Logitech model.
The report suggests that the new iPad Air model will start at $649, an increase compared to the previous generation's $499 price tag. It's rumored to be available in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB storage configurations.
This isn't the first time we've heard rumors of the iPad Air lineup ditching Lightning. In June, a supply chain report suggested that the next generation of the device could be the first non-Pro iPad to adopt USB-C. Apple is also expected to refresh the iPad mini, though that smaller tablet is expected to retain a Lightning port and only see a small bump to display size.
MyDrivers has a mixed track record of reporting on Apple's future plans, though the company has produced accurate information in the past.
Comments
I prefer the lightening connector because the breakable part is on the side that's cheapest to fix.
Besides being thinner, the point of failure on either plug is the little tab with the contacts. USB-C has that tab too, it's just on the device instead of the cable (peer inside the USB-C ports on your Macbook). When that tab breaks on a lightning cable, nabd, just fish the tab out of the iPhone with some tweezers and get a new cable. When the tab breaks on USB-C, that is a non-trivial repair, if even possible.
That's why I'm confused. I thought Lightning allowed for the faster charging if the charger had a USB connector. Of course the other end of the cable would have to be USB C.
After all these years, the most involved repair I've ever had with the Lightning connector was blowing out the accumulated dust/lint from my iPhone. Never had that with my iPads since it doesn't fit in my pocket.
USBC is a net plus. The back Smart Connector will provide Magic Keyboard support, so depending on what you want, that could be a plus. I assume Pencil 2 support stays.
I would have bought 2 of this rumored iPad Air 4 if available today, without even a second thought. It looks like a great machine. Instead, I just got the 14yo a 2020 iPad Pro 11 and the 12yo a used 2018 iPad Pro, both 256 GB, mostly for remote school. The 11" versus 12.9" is a tough decision. If hand holding, 11". If desktop, 12.9". But if they do all of the above?
Still holding on out for a iPad Pro 12.9, or the large display model, that comes with miniLED and 8 GB RAM. My iPad Pro 10.5 is still going strong. The Smart Connector really should be able to carry a USB3/4 signal. Needs 3x the contacts, but it would be great in the inevitable future when the iPad can extend its display to an external monitor. Not mirror, but extend.
With video meetings normal or common now, I'd like to see Apple try two front cams, on opposing sides, and do some auto-fusion of the camera data to make it look like your are looking at the person you are talking on-screen, in their video feed.
The groundwork has been set, with the introduction of trackpad and mouse input to the iPad, and all iOS apps can now be installed on the new apple silicon macs. it just seems like the logical next step.
Supports 100 watts vs 12 watts
Simultaneous power and video
Double the data transmission speed
Supports USB PD
Common port means you can plug in external hard drives, monitors, and other devices
No
Apple does make thinness a differentiating feature though. The thinner iPads are more expensive than the thicker iPads. The iPad Pro devices are thinner than the iPad Air devices, USB-C port and all. Too bad that the camera bumps are so big though. I would trade off poorer back cam performance for a flush back cam in an iPad.
Would be interesting if this iPad Air 4 has a camera bump.
Yes, something like the tip of a screwdriver could of course get into the connector and break the tab, but those would have to be some unlikely circumstances. OTOH, USB-C on an iPhone would be at a greater risk as those get showed into pockets, where they could run straight into things like keys…