Just a few days ago, we covered the new 2022 iPad and iPad Pro here at AppleToolBox. For us, and a lot of users, many of these updates couldn’t have come a moment sooner. The new iPad design and the M2 iPad Pro – these are both excellent updates to the iPad lineup. Today, we’re going to be looking ahead to the 2023 iPad lineup.
After all, while we love the changes that Apple has made recently, we feel there are still several ways that the iPad lineup could be improved. Not to mention that a ton of rumors have been springing up about next year’s iPad as of late.
So in this post, we’re going to be looking at each of these rumors, as well as some of our wishes for the upcoming 2023 iPad lineup that may or may not come true. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
First things first, let’s briefly cover what the current iPad lineup looks like. For those who didn’t catch up on our recent iPad posts, here is what you missed:
The standard iPad got a design refresh, so it now matches the rest of the iPad lineup. It also got a steep price hike, however, so it’s not the great bargain that it used to be.
The iPad Pro now comes with the M2 chip, making it the most powerful tablet ever. Beyond that, though, it’s the same old, same old.
Last year’s 2021 standard iPad is still available for the same price as before. So if you don’t like the 2022 iPad’s price hike, you can still grab last year’s.
The iPad Air is anything but lightweight, offering power somewhere between the Pro and standard models.
The iPad mini continues to be a weird option, being more powerful than the standard iPad and costing more while also being the smallest iPad Apple offers.
And that’s it! That’s what the current iPad lineup looks like. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what we hope to see from the 2023 iPad.
The 2023 iPad: What to expect
Before getting into our wishlist, let’s start with what we actually think Apple might add to the 2023 iPad lineup. These are based on rumors and leaks, so there is a chance that these are things you can genuinely look forward to ahead of next year’s release. They aren’t guaranteed, but you get the idea.
An iPad Pro with a glass back and wireless charging
The first big change that we’ve heard rumors about with regards to the 2023 iPad lineup is that the Pro model could come with a glass back. I know what you’re thinking: “Why would I want an iPad with a glass back?”
Oddly enough, I completely agree. The current iPad models are already flimsy enough, being very thin and brittle feeling. Just recently I smashed my 2020 iPad Air to bits, so I with we had two aluminum sides instead of two glass sides.
Regardless, it looks like Apple may be considering putting a glass back on the iPad Pro and potentially other models, too. The reason is that this would allow for wireless charging on the iPad. That would probably mean that MagSafe charging, which debuted on the iPhone somewhat recently, would make its way to the iPad.
On the one hand, I do feel that this would be a weird decision. After all, the iPad is so big that charging it with a wireless charger feels off.
On the other hand, though, Apple is being forced into making all of its products USB C compatible by international regulators. That means no more Lightning cable, which is one of the ways that Apple locks its users into its ecosystem.
Well, without the Lightning port, what’s another charging medium that Apple can make exclusive to its brand. You guessed it: MagSafe.
Again, these are just rumors. But it might make sense that the 2023 iPad lineup is going to get the MagSafe treatment. It’ll mean more fragile iPads, so get ready for that in case this ends up happening.
A giant-sized iPad Pro
A much more exciting change that could be coming to the 2023 iPad Pro is a new display size. Since it was first released, the iPad Pro has come in two sizes. Moving forward, though, there’s a lot of rumors suggesting we’re going to be seeing three sizes.
There is some debate on just how big this third size option will be. But whatever it ends up being, it’s going to be huge. Somewhere between 14″ and 16″. That means it could end up being the same size as the current MacBook Pro.
It goes without saying that this will not be a very portable device. It also won’t be much of a handheld device anymore, either. Apple will probably launch this alongside new accessories and stands that allow you to use this iPad at a desktop more easily.
Personally, while I would never buy an iPad this big (and I don’t think you should, either) I am hyped to see a device like this in stores. We’ve never really seen a tablet this big before, and I’m having a hard time just picturing how it will look. So fingers crossed that this is more than just a rumor!
A standard iPad that finally supports the Apple Pencil 2
Personally, the most exciting rumor surrounding the 2023 iPad is that it’ll finally support the Apple Pencil 2. For years and years, the iPad has been limited to the Apple Pencil 1.
For those that don’t know, the Apple Pencil 1 charges by plugging into the Lightning Port on the bottom of the iPad. So it sticks out jarringly while it charges. It looks goofy, it’s inconvenient and easy to break, and is just all around a poor design decision. That’s why the Apple Pencil 2 fixed this issue.
Not to mention that now that the 2022 iPad uses USB C, you have to use an adapter to plug the Apple Pencil 1 into it. I can’t even begin to express how ridiculous this is. It’s one of those very “Apple” decisions that leads to memes and jokes about the company.
So, here’s to hoping that next year, Apple finally ditches the Apple Pencil 1 and launches a standard iPad that supports the Apple Pencil 2.
More RAM and storage
A more under-the-hood update that we’re expecting from the 2023 iPad is that it’ll get more RAM and storage. Right now, this is one of the only things that’s holding the iPad lineup back.
More RAM will allow the iPad to take on bigger tasks, like gaming, video recording and editing, and so on. That’ll mean more use cases for those deciding to switch to the iPad from a computer.
Meanwhile, the storage situation on the iPad lineup has long been lackluster. The iPad Pro gets plenty of storage, but the rest of the iPad lineup caps out at really low storage amounts. For comparison, you can get more storage on the current iPhone 14 than you can on the 2022 iPad.
Yeah, not great. Luckily, there are rumors that this will improve next year, which would be great. Especially considering that the iPad just got a price hike.
A very “macOS” iPadOS
It’s important to remember that not all of the 2023 iPad changes are going to be hardware related. Some big changes are going to come with the next iPadOS update, and from what we can tell, the next iPadOS update is going to be very “macOS”.
In other words, we’re expecting this new version of iPadOS to bring more macOS features and apps to the iPad. For many years, it’s felt like the iPad is playing catch up with the Mac, offering a lot of its power while also lacking a lot.
Next year, we hope this gap continues to close. That means more apps for writing code, customizing your iPad experience, automating apps and services, and so on. Features that will help make the iPad an even better desktop replacement than it already is.
I will say that, personally, I don’t want the iPad to turn into the Mac. A lot of users seem to want this, and I kind of understand why. But the Mac is already “the Mac”. I don’t need the iPad to be just another Mac.
But I do think that the iPad’s style of computing is the future. It just needs a little extra “oomph” to really get there. Hopefully, 2023 will be another step in that direction.
A switch to OLED displays for the 2023 iPad Pro
Lastly, there are rumors that the 2023 iPad is going to adopt OLED displays. This is referring to the iPad Pro and not the other iPad models, by the way. Currently, the iPad Pro uses a mini LED screen, which is still incredible. It uses some technology that has hardly been used elsewhere.
Still, an OLED display would be an improvement over the current display that the iPad Pro boasts. The reason that the iPad Pro hasn’t had an OLED display yet is that OLED displays are a bit finicky.
What sets an OLED display apart from other LED displays is that it is able to turn off individual pixels. So when you’re looking at black on an OLED screen, it’s a true, deep black.
The problem is that OLED screens are very difficult to make in larger sizes. They’re prone to issues, which could increase the cost of manufacturing for the iPad Pro. And these displays are expensive, which could increase the price of the iPad Pro as well.
So overall, while it would be cool to see an iPad Pro with an OLED display, I wouldn’t count on it. It’s likely that Apple is experimenting with this, but whether or not we’ll see it next year is yet to be seen.
The 2023 iPad: What to hope for
Alright, so those are the 2023 iPad features that we’re expecting to see. You can bet that a few of them will come true around next October.
Now, we’re going to be looking at things we hope for in the 2023 iPad. These are not substantiated by rumors and leaks. Instead, this is more like an AppleToolBox wishlist. So take each of these with a grain of salt.
More cross-functionality with the Mac
Personally, one of the key things I’d like to see from the 2023 iPad is greater interplay with the Mac. Already, Apple has added a lot of features that make the iPad a great companion for the Mac. It can act as a second display, can share files and peripherals with the Mac through Universal Control, and so on.
I love these features, even when I think there are ways for them to be improved. So, moving forward, I’d love to see even more cross-play features between these devices.
I’m talking about things like sharing audio between these devices, using the iPad as a camera that streams straight to the Mac, etc. Admittedly, I don’t have a concrete wishlist of things I want to see in this department. I just know that I love what’s been done so far and would love to see more.
This is one of the most exciting areas of development for the iPad and I hope Apple doesn’t ditch it next year!
Price decreases (or at least no more price hikes)
Another thing I (and I’m sure many of you) would like to see in the 2023 iPad is price decreases. Or at the very least, a shortage of price hikes. The standard iPad saw a pretty substantial jump in price, and while I do think the iPad was due for a price increase, I’m not crazy about the current $449 price tag. Something closer to $400 would be much easier to swallow.
As it is, though, this current iPad has jumped in price by almost $100. That’s a lot for a one-year price change, especially since this device hasn’t gotten a significant bump in power.
In short, the standard iPad used to be a great bargain, an entry point into the Apple Ecosystem. Now, though, it’s a bit too out of reach for my liking.
More macOS apps on the 2023 iPad
Lastly, I would absolutely love to see more macOS apps on the 2023 iPad. This is something that has been missing from the iPad for a long time. Each year, a Mac app or two becomes available on the iPad, and vice versa.
But I’d love a world where the iPad (which now shares a processor with the Mac) could run the same kinds of apps that the Mac can. Programming apps, a robust version of Photoshop, Final Cut Pro – apps that are a staple of the Mac.
This is because, deep down, I’d love to replace my Mac with an iPad Pro. It’s more affordable, in some cases more powerful, and is far more enjoyable to use. But iPadOS and the lack of apps are still holding the iPad back. Hopefully, 2023 will help move that needle forward just a bit more.
We’ll have to see, though, since Apple still seems set on making the iPad a distinct device from the Mac. Not necessarily an alternative device, but a companion that can kind of function as a replacement sometimes.
2023 iPad: There are plenty of reasons to be excited
And that’s it! That’s everything there is to know about the future of the 2023 iPad. At least, that’s all we know right now. On the whole, I’m very excited for this device and can’t wait to snag one in 2023. Ideally, the iPad Pro and Air models will be much more capable of replacing a Mac so that I can finally live my fantasy of ditching my Mac for a touchscreen computer.
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