Apple Announces New iPads
- Paul Thurrott
- Sep 15, 2020
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37
In addition to new Apple Watches and Apple One, Apple today also announced two new iPads, a new 10.2-inch iPad and a new iPad Air, the latter of which resembles iPad Pro and uses a USB-C connection instead of Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector.
“I love my iPad because it’s such a versatile device,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during a virtual announcement event. “[And] this is a big year for iPad.”
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First up is the “full-sized” iPad, or 10.2-inch iPad, which Apple described as its most popular iPad. The form factor isn’t changing—it still features huge bezels and uses a Lightning connector—but it’s being updated internally with an A12 Bionic chipset that is 40 percent faster than its predecessor with 2x graphics performance. The new 8th-generation iPad starts at $329 and will be available this Friday.
The new iPad Air has been completely redesigned as noted above and comes in several fun new colors. It’s powered by the A14 Bionic chipset, which utilizes a 5-nanometer manufacturing process, has improved front and rear cameras, and stereo speakers. It starts at $599 and is available next month.
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Conversation 37 comments
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yoshi
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Paul, just a heads up that the 8th-gen iPad starts at $329 – I think the $399 you have is a typo.</p>
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Paul Thurrott
Premium MemberLog in to ReplyThanks, I caught that before I saw your comment, but yes. Fog of war. 🙂
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olditpro2000
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Seems like there is little reason to go with an iPad Pro versus the new iPad Air, unless you absolutely want or need Face ID, 120 Hz. refresh, and LIDAR.</p>
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red.radar
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575078">In reply to OldITPro2000:</a></em></blockquote><p>Or more storage. </p>
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SvenJ
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575203"><em>In reply to red.radar:</em></a><em> </em>Nobody needs more than 256G of storage. ;)</blockquote><p><br></p>
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crunchyfrog
Log in to Reply<p>The new iPad Air. It's like the Pro but without the "Pro". Maybe best called, The Un-Pro iPad.</p>
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buzzmodo
Log in to Reply<p>The new iPad air looks great! Amusing that they only have two configs, 64 and 256 Gigs, and $150 price delta. Am curious as to what the actual cost of adding the additional storage really is? And while probably not an app comparison, a 64 Gig SD card on Amazon is $20, 256, $70. But there's a reason why Apple has all that cash too. </p>
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krusador
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Fun new colors? Those new colors are hideous! Blech! Just going to wrap it in a cover anyway.</p>
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solomonrex
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575091">In reply to krusador:</a></em></blockquote><p>Easter colors are fine? Do we have to complain about choice?</p>
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brothernod
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I wonder if the power button fingerprint reader was a covid pivot for less friction masked usage.</p><p><br></p><p>Think it's a sign the iphone 12 will not have an under-glass fingerprint reader?</p>
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crunchyfrog
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575093"><em>In reply to brothernod:</em></a><em> I don't see Apple ever doing the under glass fingerprint reader.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>
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SvenJ
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575093"><em>In reply to brothernod:</em></a><em> </em>I think it is more likely a bid for less bezels without the expense of a FaceID camera setup. This was in design before Covid in any case. </blockquote><p><br></p>
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tonchek
Log in to Reply<p>Mini? I want a new one. 4 is sloooooowwwww….. </p>
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SvenJ
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575094"><em>In reply to tonchek:</em></a><em> </em>So buy a 5. 😉 The 4 doesn't even support a pencil for crying out loud. Besides, when you go get that 5, it almost assures the 6 will be announced next month. Then I'll buy it. </blockquote><p><br></p>
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solomonrex
Log in to Reply<p>This was a seriously low key, predictable keynote. Really the only surprises were disappointments – the SE is better than the 3 but also costs more. The ipad Air is just a pro now ($150 for the bump up in storage? yeesh). And there's more subscription options than ever.</p><p><br></p><p>You know that Indiana Jones quote? "…<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">seems we've reached an age when </span><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">life</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> stops giving you </span><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">things</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> and </span><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">started taking</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);"> them </span><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">away</strong><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">."</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">That's how tech feels right now. Oh, the Apple Watch gen 1 was genuinely new and we can say that the 02 sensor, while not terribly clever, is a step forward. But it's not really new in a significant way. Even the watch turned out disappointing – as a tech object, it's just fine for a handful of not necessary things. </span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">And now we're at the point where amazing internet functionality for free ( free news on google reader, gmail at 1gb storage, oneDrive, amazon scanner, skype, mp3 music lockers, etc) is turning into subscriptions for everything. Maybe it's inevitable, but it's going to suck.</span></p>
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michael_babiuk
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575112"><em>In reply to solomonrex:</em></a><em> You don't own an Apple Watch, do you? I'm just guessing, of course, since if you did, you would not have made the "…it's just fine for a handful of not necessary things." statement.</em></blockquote><p><br></p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<p>Yeah. This keynote, although well-produced, was pretty lackluster. The new iPad upgrades are great but I upgraded my Air late last year so there’s no major reason to upgrade it again so soon. </p><p><br></p><p>The Apple Watch SE was the most interesting thing they announced today to me. </p><p><br></p><p>but I do now expect the new iPhone will have the Power Button TouchID. And I’m guessing FaceID as well. </p><p><br></p><p>“best of both worlds…” I can already hear the presentation. </p>
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bassoprofundo
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Yikes… I <em>just</em> got my daughter a new Air for school a couple of weeks ago but that isn't supposed to be here until 9/25-10/2. Hate to pay the same price for an old model. Wonder if they'll let me change it?</p>
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rob_segal
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575118">In reply to bassoprofundo:</a></em></blockquote><p>You should be able to cancel the order or get a refund. Then, you can get the new model.</p>
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bluvg
Log in to Reply<p>No iPhone ?</p>
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oscar999
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575143">In reply to bluvg:</a></em></blockquote><p>Later this autumn, as have been known for a while now.</p>
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RobertJasiek
Log in to Reply<p>The camera bump destroys the Air. A tablet must lie flat on the table! This leaves only the Mini with reduced reflectance and without camera bump.</p><p>A14 is a significant improvement; USB-C, True Tone and 2nd gen stylus are minor ones. DIN display ratio is as fine as was 4:3. Rounded corners can be tolerated as a minor disadvantage of hiding small parts of the contents. More chassis colours won't hurt.</p><p>I won't buy the Air for these reasons: 30% in-app tax, missing repairability, Apple's anti-repair politics, Apple's customer rip-off politics, terrible file management (even devaluing the A14's output), iTunes on Windows, camera bump.</p>
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michael_babiuk
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575158"><em>In reply to RobertJasiek:</em></a><em> Well, the anti-repair policy you mention is simply an ideological and philosophical argument, IMO, and really not a good one at that. As it pertains to iPads, I have been using one model or another from the first day it became available to the public. And guess what? The only item that required a repair was for a cracked display. BTW, I have had no problems with either the 30 pin old power connector port or the lightning port or the new USB-C port on my iPads or any other internal component, And since replacing the screen is something that Best Buy Geek squad techs are authorized to do -as other 3rd party repair techs were authorized back in the day – your repair objections really only amount to a philosophical argument which, for an iPad purchase decision is somewhat a "strange hill to die on" – so to speak. </em></blockquote><blockquote><em>When it comes to other repairs, like a battery replacement or motherboard, Apple usually just gives a refurbished unit as a "repair". (They do that for any Apple Watch repair – even for a cracked display screen – because I suspect that with the modern manufacturing trends that use glue – in copious amounts to secure internal components – unit replacement is a better option.) Back in the day, when an automobile engine water pump would break a seal or a bearing, the person would return the whole water pump and receive a refurbished water pump in its place. Apple tends to do that as well.</em></blockquote><blockquote><em>Now, would you demand that Apple warehouse excess parts somewhere so you or anyone else could perform a "repair" that would satisfy warranty standards? (Those are legal ramifications to consider for any "right to repair" law that is forced upon ANY manufacturer.)</em></blockquote><blockquote><em>Personally, there is precedent for any manufacture to supply spare parts to anyone but invariably, that manufacture also states that any repair not performed by an authorized source voids any warranty – even for purchased repair parts used. </em></blockquote><blockquote>One final thing. Taking your iPad in to Apple or an Apple Watch for any "replacement repair" works for the environment as well since Apple recycles the returned defective unit in a responsible manner.</blockquote><p><br></p>
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RobertJasiek
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575412">In reply to Michael_Babiuk:</a></em></blockquote><p>Adjust to reality (instead of meta-discussion about philosophy) – watch some Louis Rossmann youtube videos.</p><p>The "authorised by Apple" system is wrong in itself because it violates laws of fair markets.</p><p>What right to repair means in practice: standard screws, simply removable backplate, batteries ISO standardised like A, AA, AAA, AAAA batteries, prohibited glue… Hence products last 15 instead of 3.5 years, battery replacements take seconds and cost a few euros instead of the current >€120, and devices remain the endusers' property (which they are according to the law) instead of letting Apple steal property, endanger files on it and replace by refurbished devices of (from the endconsumer's POV) unknown quality.</p><p>Until ca. 1980, products had repair manuals, lasted long, replacement tiles were available and warranties did not prevent repairs. So do not pretend it would be impossible. Only two things are required: prevent manufacturers from hindering others to repair and force manufacturers to sell all individual components to anybody at fair market prices while it produces the devices. Hence enforce the existing(!) laws of fair trade. </p><p>Right to repair is not an illusion of impossibility but merely a consequence of enforcing fair trade. For any manfacturer and its products.</p><p>The by far greatest protection of environment and ressources is to avoid unnecessary production, ensure longivity and very easy repair. In comparison, Apple's environment efforts are tiny and mainly serve as pretence for continuing with ruthless business practices.</p>
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michael_babiuk
Log in to Reply<blockquote><a href="#575473"><em>In reply to RobertJasiek:</em></a><em> I must respectfully disagree with your premise, “</em>What right to repair means in practice: standard screws, simply removable backplate, batteries ISO standardised like A, AA, AAA, AAAA batteries, prohibited glue…”</blockquote><blockquote>That is NOT what the right to repair laws state or demand manufactures adopt engineering design practices based upon ideas presented in your premise.</blockquote><blockquote>BTW, have you seen any IFIXIT repair videos showing how to replace an iPad battery? If you haven’t, trust me – it is not a repair that only takes a few seconds to accomplish.</blockquote><blockquote>I understand the proposed EU “right to repair” laws would force manufactures to adopt design practices outlined in your premise – but the flip side of that “bureaucratic utopian vision” is stifled design innovations and reduced initial manufacturing costs. So, to the EU – thanks but no thanks. </blockquote><p><br></p>
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RobertJasiek
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575761">In reply to Michael_Babiuk:</a></em></blockquote><p>Explicit laws of right of repair and time to swap iPad batteries: I have not described what is but what should be.</p><p>Laws must not prevent innovation and need not when describing right to repair as outlined.</p>
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JH_Radio
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>There's one reason why somebody would want a pro over the iPad air. bigger screen for the 12 inch version. </p>
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red.radar
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575190">In reply to JH_Radio:</a></em></blockquote><p>You go Pro because you want high refresh rate, and you want more than 64gb of storage. I also bet it has more ram. </p><p><br></p><p>In reality the Ipad air is a farce.. its really a low spec'd Ipad Pro. It shares the same design language. I don't know why they even bothered with the "256gb" sku. </p><p><br></p><p>It makes the Ipad refresh feel incomplete because now you have to make the awkward choice of sacrificing the touch id sensor if you go with the Air. In reality they should have had the PRO ready to go as well or held off releasing the air till spring… </p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
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red.radar
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Looks like the display is not high refresh. That is a bummer. I guess have to get "the pro" model for that feature. </p><p><br></p><p>And the paltry 64gb of storage means you are bumping quickly into pro territory if you go with the 256gb option. I think its priced wrong or it needs to come with 128gb of storage as default. Looks like the sku is made to justify the upsell to the Pro model. </p><p><br></p><p>meh…. i will wait for the holiday sales and try and snag it then. </p>
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angusmatheson
Log in to Reply<p>Ok, is it just me but isn’t 5nm pretty awesome. It was just a throw away line. But Qualcomm snapdragon is still 7nm. AMD is baking 7nm. Intel is struggling to get to 10 and say 7nm is delayed. As a guy who had a late PowerPC mac, I still think of Apple having slower hardware you put up with to use the Mac. But these days their chip innovation has been surprising. Fist 64 bit ARM, and now first mainstream 5nm ARM seems impressive. They work great in phones and iPads, but I do wonder how they will work in Macs. We’ll soon see.</p>
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Greg Green
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575219">In reply to Angusmatheson:</a></em></blockquote><p>What amazed me was on the gpu side when nvidia made a card with 6 billion transistors on it. That’s one transistor for every person on the planet, on a single card! </p><p><br></p><p>It’s just more silicon magic.</p>
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wright_is
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>A12 and Lightning, A14 and USB-C… Make up your mind!</p><p>If the new iPad had a modern processor and USB-C, I might be interested.</p>
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Chris_Kez
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575248">In reply to wright_is:</a></em></blockquote><p>Meh, the A12 will be supported for another 4+ years and is plenty fast for the iPad. As a non-iPhone user who probably has multiple Type C chargers that is probably a bigger annoyance for you; isn’t there a Type C <> Lightning power adapter?</p>
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ghostrider
Log in to Reply<p>Apple have no choice now but to make announcements that <em>sound </em>like new products, but they're not. They tweak things here and there, but Apple haven't really had a new product for years now. The ever faithful will buy them as usual, but if you've bought <em>any </em>Apple product in the last few years, there's actually no requirement to upgrade really. I'll be honest and say that most of the innovation is coming from the Android side – at least manufacturers there are trying new things. Apple seem to have given up and see subscription services as their way forward, and certainly don't have the <em>next big thing</em> coming anytime soon.</p>
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Greg Green
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575258">In reply to ghostrider:</a></em></blockquote><p>Once items become appliances innovation trickle away. They’re sticking with what sells.</p>
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glenn8878
Log in to Reply<blockquote><em><a href="#575258">In reply to ghostrider:</a></em></blockquote><p>Their next big thing is the Mac with Apple Silicon. </p>
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mikefarinha
Log in to Reply<p>Microsoft needs a competing Surface tablet running Android at the same price point. Microsoft should consider themselves the Rolex to Apples Gucci.</p>