Understanding the New iPad Lineup

Recently, Apple made announcements regarding its iPad and Mac lineup, but surprisingly, no new Macs were introduced. Instead, we saw intriguing yet perplexing new iPad products. The latest reveal continues a trend of curious accessory combinations and iPad features that, while impressive on their own, appear illogical when presented together.

The new iPad (not to be confused with the existing $329 model that retains the old design with the home button) is now priced at $449. While the updated design is appealing, the price hike of $120 compared to the original starting price for an iPad is rather disappointing. One could argue that the old model is still available, yet having two versions—one outdated and one modern—is somewhat confusing.

Source: apple.com

The new iPad lacks an M1 chip and does not support Stage Manager, making it difficult to understand why someone would opt for the iPad Air when the new model is available. If you have the option of acquiring an iPad Air, I would recommend considering the 11-inch Pro instead. The new iPad does feature a landscape camera, hinting at a design intended for horizontal use, which Apple further supported with the introduction of a new Magic Keyboard Folio.

Given that the iPad is designed for landscape use with a camera positioned accordingly and includes a keyboard with a trackpad, the absence of Stage Manager is perplexing. This echoes my previous concerns about Apple’s inconsistent support for various iPad models, especially considering that the 2020 iPad Air is equipped with a more powerful A14 chip than earlier Pro models.

The latest iPad also comes with an A14 chip but still lacks Stage Manager, despite marketing that emphasizes productivity and a focus on educational use. Moreover, the new iPad does not support the second-generation Apple Pencil, even though it has the same flat sides as other compatible iPads, instead opting for the first-generation Apple Pencil.

Source: apple.com

Although the new iPad incorporates USB-C, this decision raises further questions. Many joked about the first-gen Apple Pencil needing to be plugged into the iPad’s lightning port for charging, yet at least it was straightforward. With the new model, a dongle and an extra cable are necessary to achieve the same functionality.

Apple has retained the Smart Connector on the side of the iPad, where an Apple Pencil magnetic connector would typically be found, signifying that this model is not designed to work with the Magic Keyboard or second-generation Apple Pencil.

Disappointingly, the new iPad Pro also received minimal updates. Similar to the 2020 refresh, the only change was an upgrade from the M1 chip to the M2. The display now allows the use of the Apple Pencil while hovering, rather than just tapping.

Source: apple.com

However, it remains unclear how significant this hovering feature will be, as it was difficult to discern in Apple's promotional video whether the user was tapping or hovering. The most disappointing aspect is the lack of enhancements for the iPad Pro that the new iPad has received.

Why would Apple redesign the camera for landscape mode on a new device, while the iPad Pro has always been positioned as a landscape-oriented device, particularly since it was the first to offer a Magic Keyboard with a trackpad? Among all iPads, the Pro seems the most suited for this camera upgrade, yet Apple chose not to implement it.

Another point worth mentioning regarding the Magic Keyboard Folio for the new iPad is the addition of a function row at the keyboard's top. This is a feature iPad Pro users have long requested. It raises the question of why the Magic Keyboard for the Pro models was not similarly updated to include these function keys or even a new variant with a kickstand like the Folio model.

It appears Apple has overlooked the entire lineup and concentrated solely on the new iPad this past year. The minor enhancements to the Pro models feel rather dismissive. If Apple were to release a MacBook Pro soon with merely upgraded internals from M1 Pro to M2 variants, it is unlikely anyone would complain due to the significant hardware improvements the MacBook Pro received.

The iPad Pro models have not seen substantial changes since 2018. Over four years, the upgrades have primarily focused on camera improvements, processor enhancements, and the introduction of a mini-LED XDR display for the 12.9-inch model. While the display upgrade was significant, it does not excuse the lack of additional changes over two years. Furthermore, the 11-inch model has yet to receive the new XDR display, which is disappointing.

Product lifecycles are complex, and given the numerous iPad models available, I understand that Apple sometimes needs to concentrate on one to enact changes. However, it feels like Apple is attempting to do too much. The product lines for all of Apple's hardware are increasingly cluttered, leading to confusion. For example, Apple currently offers:

• Two MacBook Air models: M1 and M2
• Two MacBook Pro models: M1 and M2
• iPhone SE, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and iPhone 14/14 Pro models
• iPad 10.2-inch, iPad 10.9-inch, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Pro models

While I understand Apple’s aim to cater to various price points, the situation has become excessive. While selling older models of iPhones and Macs is generally manageable, all the iPads Apple currently sells are recent models that require more frequent upgrades.

This results in Apple having to maintain up to four different iPad models, which is a considerable expectation. In comparison, the iPhones and Macs only have one or two products that necessitate regular updates—the newest model iPhones and possibly the SE, along with the Mac Air and Pro.

Source: apple.com

It’s no surprise that the iPad Mini must wait years for changes to occur. More critically, the product lineup and accessories are increasingly perplexing. A customer entering an Apple Store to purchase an iPad may experience decision fatigue, as each model presents unique features.

In conclusion, the Pro models across Apple’s product range (including Macs, iPhones, iPads, AirPods, etc.) have traditionally represented the pinnacle of what that hardware can deliver. They include the best cameras, displays, features, and software capabilities that no other model can match.

However, the iPad Pro no longer holds this distinction. The front camera is poorly positioned, the 11-inch model lacks the XDR display, and the accessories offered by Apple are outdated and do not provide the functionality of other iPad accessories.

Historically, Apple would begin with the top-tier Pro models and allow features to trickle down to consumer models. Now, it seems Apple juggles too many products, hastily applying new features to whatever device is currently in development, possibly addressing other models later. This approach feels lazy and disappointingly lacks coherence.

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