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

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
m5 macbook pro deal

Why You Shouldn't Buy the Next MacBook Pro

Tuesday February 10, 2026 4:27 pm PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models as soon as early March, but if you can, this is one generation you should skip because there's something much better in the works. We're waiting on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with few changes other than the processor upgrade. There won't be any tweaks to the design or the display, but later this...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...

Top Rated Comments

sza Avatar
13 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
13 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
13 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
13 months ago
I thought we were expecting these today?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
13 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
13 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)