The 2021 entry-level iPad (ninth generation) is likely to be based on the third generation iPad Air, Mac Otakara reports, citing a Chinese supplier.
The display size will remain the same as the current iPad (eighth generation) at 10.2 inches, but the new iPad will be significantly thinner at 6.3mm and the weight will be reduced to 460g.
Sources say it will continue to use Touch ID, Lightning ports, Full-Lamination Displays, Anti-reflective Coating, P3 Displays, True Tone Displays etc.
iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) have the same display size and housing, but the performance of A-[series] chip may be significantly improved.
MacDailyNews Note: The current eighth generation iPad is 9.8 inches (250.6 mm) x 6.8 inches (174.1 mm) x 0.29 inch (7.5 mm). The Wi-Fi model weighs 1.08 pounds (490 grams) and the Wi-Fi + Cellular model weighs 1.09 pounds (495 grams), so the 2021 model would be significantly thinner and lighter.
Yes, the new iPad will be thinner and lighter and the next thing I’ll have to hear about on the internet is that it’s also foldable. The YouTube critics will be showing how easily the new iPad bends at the slightest touch. I think Apple has already been through this crap a few years back when people put their iPads in their backpacks and the iPad case would be ever so slightly tweaked. Too many people don’t know how to take care of their delicate electronic devices and end up damaging them. Apple should keep making iPads as solid as possible so they don’t get easily damaged by careless users. I am not looking forward to this “thinner case” outcome.
Thanks be it retains Touch ID; wish it were true of the iPhone 12 Pro.