Apple might have a solution in the works if you love the idea of an iPad but think even the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is still too little, as a fresh leak says the company is working on a massive 16-inch iPad.
According to The Information (opens in new tab), who spoke to “a person familiar with the project,” this new, larger model will reportedly go on sale in the final few months of 2023.
With this 16-inch screen matching the size of Apple’s largest laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it appears that the goal is to make the iPad even more similar to a laptop (2021).
With this 16-inch screen matching the size of Apple’s largest laptop, the 16-inch MacBook Pro, it appears that the goal is to make the iPad even more similar to a laptop (2021).
Having greater screen space would have several apparent advantages, like the ability to split windows and a larger drawing surface for the Apple Pencil.
However, there is still work to be done on the software front if Apple truly wants to create an iPad that functions more like a laptop. For example, in our review of the 2022 iPad Pro, we found the new Stage Manager multitasking feature to be a little under-baked and that iPadOS as a whole has workflow issues that prevent it from enabling serious productivity.
It goes without saying that this increased screen size will cost something—literally. The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) starts at ₹90554.36 / ₹119073.46 / ₹156.45 so a 16-inch Pro device would probably be much more expensive, even though the story doesn’t mention a price.
Despite this, the source doesn’t explicitly state if this enormous slate would be a member of the Pro line. However, we doubt it would be a lower-end model, so it is likely to either be an iPad Pro or a brand-new ultra-premium slate. maybe an iPad Ultra or an iPad Pro Max?
As always, we advise taking this rumour with a grain of salt, but given that Apple has been making an effort to close the gap with its laptops for some time, it makes sense that a larger iPad would be in the works to help achieve that objective.
This isn’t the first time a larger iPad has leaked, according to the analysis
Although this is the first mention of a 16-inch iPad in particular, there have already been other leaks that indicate a larger iPad may be coming than 12.9 inches.
Back in 2021, Mark Gurman—who has a very good track record for reporting on Apple—said that larger iPads were being developed. He then said that we might see a 15-inch device. Recently, a different source informed us that a 14.1-inch model was in the works.
It appears extremely likely that at least one larger iPad is on the way given the several sources that suggest it. However, it’s unknown which of these sizes it will be or whether we’ll see a number of new sizes competing to be among the greatest iPads.
