Apple has not updated the basic line of iPads since 2022, and work on a new model has been known since September of this year, which caused numerous iPad 11 rumors. We got upgrades to the iPad Pro and iPad Air in May of this year, and even the iPad Mini has already been updated to its 7th generation. So, when is the iPad 11 coming out and what updates will it receive?
The upcoming iPad 11 belongs to the basic line of iPads, which Apple updates every few years. The 10th generation iPad that preceded it became quite popular due to its reasonable price. The new iPad will be released in the already familiar 10.9-inch format, convenient for studying, drawing and watching videos. Each subsequent iPad model over the course of several years will eventually be based on the iPad’s newest generation. The new iPad will also be able to replace your laptop, since it has a horizontally oriented front camera and, like its predecessors, will support a keyboard case.
When is the next iPad coming out? At first, the 11th iPad was expected to be launched alongside the new M4 iMac and M4 Macbook Pro in November 2024. But now it’s clear that the iPad 11th will be released sometime in 2025. Based on speculation from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, we are increasingly inclined to believe that the iPad 11th will be released in March of next year.
The most anticipated features of the new product among users are:
But we might not get them all. As mentioned earlier, this will be a classic iPad with minimal changes in design. It is expected to be more productive than its predecessor. The screen diagonal will remain the same, as will the display itself. But the body may become thinner, given the latest announcements of ultra-thin iPhones 17 and 17 Air. The iPad gen 11 will be equipped with improved Touch ID and will support Apple Pencil 2nd generation. In terms of connectivity, the new iPad is rumored to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, providing fast and reliable connections. This will be more than enough for users who rely on their iPads for online activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming. Whereas the appearance of Wi-Fi 7 in new iPads is unlikely, since Apple didn’t even add it to the new flagship MacBook Pro M4. Additionally, we might see an improved speaker system, which would enhance the audio quality, making it more immersive for watching videos and playing games. The device may also include more advanced thermal management systems to keep the device cool during intensive use. As standard, cellular models will have a SIM card slot and support e-SIM.
Most likely, the iPad 11 will receive an A16 processor, which does not support Apple AI. This choice of processor is a bit confusing, since Apple plans to transfer all its devices to work with AI by 2026. There were hopes that the iPad’s newest generation would feature an M chip, but that seems unlikely given the estimated price of $349. Anyways, we’ll get more information closer to the iPad 11th generation release date. Continuing the topic of specs, the RAM in the new iPad is rumored to be 8GB, which, of course, is not the ultimate dream, but is much better than 4GB in iPad 10.
As taking photos and videos is not the main iPad’s function, Apple has no plans to update the cameras on the newest generation iPads. Although the front camera could be improved, the rear one will remain 12MP. As well, don’t wait for additional camera modules to be added; the appearance of the tablet will remain the same.
For the 10th generation iPad, the available storage options ranged from 64GB to 256GB. The iPad 11th will most likely have 128Gb and 256GB of storage.
The new generation iPad screen will remain the same. It will be a 10.9-inch LCD display with a 2360 x 1640 pixel resolution for 264 PPI and the True Tone technology. There were rumors that Apple was going to improve the display, which would make the picture brighter and clearer, but these speculations have not been confirmed yet. The potential for a better display, even if the technology remains the same, could come from improved calibration and software enhancements.
There is no exact information about the battery capacity yet. It is possible that it will be slightly increased. But the overall battery life will remain about 10 hours.
Now, as standard, the new iPad will come with a USB-C port and cable. Whether the power adapter will be included will become clear closer to the iPad gen 11 release date.
Unfortunately, there are no changes in the palette for the 11th generation iPad either. Similar to the previous model, it will be available in pink, blue, yellow and silver. Customers are hoping for a special new color added, perhaps the aquamarine from the iPhone 16 palette.
We can compare the already known characteristics of the iPad 11 with those of the previous model:
Characteristics | iPad 10th generation | iPad 11th generation |
Processor | A14 Bionic Chip | A16 Bionic Chip |
RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
Camera | 12MP Main and 12MP Front | 12MP Main and 12MP Front |
Storage | From 64GB to 256GB | 128GB and 256GB |
Display | 10.9″ LCD | 10.9″ LCD |
Battery | Up to 10 hrs of battery life | Up to 10 hrs of battery life |
Charger | USB-C | USB-C |
Apple Pencil | Supports Apple Pencil 1st gen | Supports Apple Pencil 2nd generation |
Price | $449 at launch, later $349 | $349 at launch |
It is expected that the new iPad will be quite budget-friendly and will start at $349. Of course, the prices for cellular models will be higher. And for the version with 256GB of storage you will have to pay about $150 extra, which immediately makes this iPad a bit too pricey for a basic model.
The very first iPad came out in 2010 and has ruled the tablet market ever since. Over time, it was joined by Pro, Air and Mini lines. At the moment, the 10th generation iPad is the latest that we have. It came out quite a while ago, in October 2022, so we think that the 11th generation iPad release date is just around the corner.
The newest generation iPad will be quite budget-friendly, starting at $349. The previous model cost $449 at launch, but later the price was also reduced to $349 after the update of other models.
The 11th generation iPad will be a good update, although it will not have any striking visual differences from its predecessor. For a relatively low price, you will get a more powerful tablet that supports newer Apple updates, maybe even the Apple AI. If you are an owner of an older iPad model and want to switch to something newer, of course, it will be more reasonable for you to wait a few months until iPad 11th comes out than to buy an outdated 10th. However, if you need a significant upgrade and want to get a gadget with high performance and access to the latest features from Apple, there’s no reason for you to wait until the iPad 11 release date. Better take a closer look at the iPad Pro and iPad Air models, since the classic 11th generation with expanded storage will approach the Air line in price anyway.