Apple May Unveil Cheaper iPad, New Generation iPhones

By Adedapo Adesanya

Apple is reportedly planning to launch a significantly “thinner and lighter” entry-level ninth-generation low-cost iPad this year among other new-generation devices.

According to a report by Japanese tech blog, Mac Otakara, which cited Chinese supply sources, the upcoming iPad will have the same body shape as the latest-generation iPad Air 3 with no design changes.

The display size on the new iPad is going to remain the same at 10.2-inches but it might be significantly thinner than the iPad Air at 6.3 millimetres.

The new iPad is also expected to be lighter at 460 gms, 30 grams less than the 490 grams of the current one.

The device will continue to feature a Touch ID Home button and a Lightning port, with Apple declining to transition to USB-C.

It is expected to have a full-lamination display, anti-reflective coating, P3 wide colour support, and True Tone.

The report suggests that it may start at $299 (it is currently $329). There is also a suggestion that it may start at 64 GB rather than the 32 GB offered currently.

Apple may unveil its full 2021 iPad line-up at an event in late March, but currently, there is no confirmation.

There were also claims that Apple plans to release both second-generation AirPods Pro and a third-generation iPhone SE in April 2021.

The report claims that the new AirPods Pro will come with a slightly redesigned charging case. Specifically, the report claims the case will remain 21 millimetres thick but will have a height of 46 millimetres and a width of 54 millimetres.

The current AirPods Pro charging case has a height of 45.2 millimetres and a width of 60.6 millimetres. So, the new case will apparently be slightly narrower.

The report, however, does not offer any further details about either the AirPods Pro or iPhone SE.

As for the iPhone SE, most rumours have centred upon a larger plus-sized variant of the device with a 5.5-inch or 6.1-inch display.

Apple released the current AirPods Pro at the end of October 2019, while the second-generation iPhone SE launched in April 2020.