Apple Expected to do a Silent Launch for iPad Air 6 in October

The only iPad refresh of 2023 is rumored to be the iPad Air 6 (sixth generation), which is expected to launch in October, according to an alleged rumor shared on Chinese social media site Weibo.

According to a reliable source, Apple will only release an update for the ‌iPad Air‌ series this year. The update is expected to happen in October, and there will be no updates for the mini or Pro versions. This information was shared by an account known for disclosing accurate details about Apple’s product launch plans.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman stated on The MacRumors Show podcast, a new iPad Air with upgraded features is currently in development and expected to be released soon – possibly in October. This rumor was already circulating on Weibo before Gurman’s announcement.

In March 2022, Apple released an updated version of the iPad Air. It now features the M1 chip, a 12MP selfie camera supported by Center Stage, a USB-C port, and 5G connectivity for cellular models. The starting price for the 64GB storage option is $599 in the U.S., and there are also new color options available. The next-generation iPad Air has not yet been announced, so it is unknown what new features it will have. However, there are rumors that it may include the M2 chip, a Thunderbolt port like the iPad Pro, Apple Pencil hover, and additional color choices.

iPad Air 6 launch without an event?

According to previous reports, Apple was planning to hold an event in October to unveil its latest products, including the new iPad Air and Mac. However, a recent report from Bloomberg has revealed that Apple has canceled the event as they do not have enough new products to justify a standalone launch event.

The company may release its new iPad Air through a press release, much like how they launched the latest MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which were unveiled through a press release and a brief video. This news follows analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’s report that the launch of the M3-powered MacBook may be delayed until early 2024.

According to Gurman, it is likely that Apple will release new products in October, but he doubts that there will be a full event for their introduction. He is uncertain if there will be enough new products to justify a physical event like the iPhone 15 launch.

It is expected that the upcoming iPad Air will be powered by the M2 chip and will likely maintain its current design. This new chip will make the iPad Air M2 just as capable as the flagship iPad Pro.

Initially, Apple’s October launch event was planned to include three significant announcements: Apple Silicon M3, new MacBooks, and the next-generation iPad Air. However, with only the iPad Air 6 in sight, it would make sense for Apple to cancel the launch event.

It has been reported that Apple is developing a new version of the iPad Pro, which is expected to be released in early 2024. This new model is rumored to feature an OLED screen, an M3 chip, and a revised Magic Keyboard with a metal construction and a larger trackpad. The new lineup is predicted to include a 14.1-inch display, which may replace the existing 12.9-inch model. This move is seen as a response to the massive 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet by Samsung.