Colossal 16-inch iPad reportedly in the pipeline for a Q4 2023 launch
Samsung bedazzled the industry earlier this year by announcing the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, a 14.6-inch tablet. It would have served as an ideal laptop replacement had it not run One UI, an operating system designed for smartphones. Apple wants to one-up Samsung and introduce an even larger iPad next year. According to a report by The Information, a 16-inch iPad will be launched sometime in Q4, 2023. The tablet could be unveiled alongside the rumoured 14-inch iPad Pro mentioned in earlier leaks.
Recent launches and leaks have suggested that Apple is beginning to adopt the Ultra moniker for its top-of-the-line products. Hence, it would be reasonable to assume that the 16-inch iPad would bear the Ultra tag in some capacity. Its large form factor will also allow Apple to launch it with a beefier chip, such as the putative M2 Pro or M2 Max, which should ideally be out and about by next year.
Twitter leaker Majin Bu stated earlier that Apple was testing a "Lite" version of macOS tailor-made for iPads. A 16-inch iPad Ultra would be the ideal platform to demonstrate the software and bridge the gap between iPads and MacBooks. However, its price could be a concern even for the most die-hard Apple enthusiasts. This year's 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at US$1,099 for the base variant. The 16-inch iPad Ultra will easily cost upwards of US$1,500, putting it smack in the middle of mid-range laptop territory.
Source(s)
The Information (paywalled)
via MacRumors
