Apple Suppliers Preparing for New iPad Air, MacBook Air, and iPad 11

Apple's supply chain is gearing up for the upcoming launch of new iPad Air, MacBook Air, and entry-level iPad models, according to DigiTimes.

ipad air gradient
Apple's supply chain began shipments of the new devices in December, according to the report. The new iPad Air, MacBook Air, and entry-level iPad models are "coming soon," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, but it is unclear exactly when. Gurman said a new iPhone SE will be announced this week, and the new Mac and iPad models should follow by March or April at the absolute latest, but perhaps much sooner.

In a paywalled report today, the Taiwanese supply chain publication vaguely said that the new devices will be "transitioning to Apple's own chips." Given that Macs and iPads already use Apple-designed processors, the report could be referring to Apple's rumored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. However, Gurman previously reported that the chip would come to Macs and iPads "by 2026," so the exact timing of this shift remains to be seen.

Gurman said Apple's planned Wi-Fi chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, but it is unclear if it would have any consumer benefits compared to existing Wi-Fi chips in Apple devices, supplied by Broadcom. One benefit of Apple's chip could be power efficiency.

The new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models are expected to be equipped with the M4 chip, while the iPad Air is rumored to get the M3 chip and the iPad 11 is said to gain either the A16 chip or A17 Pro chip. Beyond chips, no major changes are expected.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad Air , MacBook Air
Related Forums: iPad, MacBook Air

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Top Rated Comments

sza Avatar
8 months ago

After 2,5 years I really expect and hope that the iPad won’t just be a chip swap and a memory upgrade.
It will be even thinner
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goonie4life9 Avatar
8 months ago
YASSS! It’s time to get excited for the ALL NEW iPad Air, MacBook Air, and iPad 11. These are the best, most powerful, most capable versions of these devices that Apple has ever released!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
8 months ago

After 2,5 years I really expect and hope that the iPad won’t just be a chip swap and a memory upgrade.
I’m not sure what else you are expecting.
The iPad Air doesn’t have an OLED display or quad speakers, the iPad 11 won’t either.
Kind of limits them to what they can do with the basic iPad when it’s already almost the same as the iPad Air.
At least the chip swap will be noticeable, and the RAM is doubled. For the sub $400 price point, I don’t think there’s anything better.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuBeck Avatar
8 months ago
I thought we were expecting these today?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
8 months ago
Was expecting to see all these new devices already. Now expecting it anytime. Maybe the new MacBook Air will be released in March just like how the M3 models were released last year.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fuzzball84 Avatar
8 months ago
I still have iPad Air 4 and it’s doing great. Battery still pristine after 4 years, really amazing quality.

I’ll probably get a battery swap too, this thing could go another 3 years :)

Not really requiring Apple Intelligence :/

Not really that excited for new releases anymore. I may buy a new iPad the next time it really does need an upgrade, like my washing machine and fridge ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)