Apple is planning to launch a larger-sized iPad model

In his “Power On” column, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman mentioned that Apple had originally intended to unveil an iPad model with a screen size exceeding 14 inches this year.

However, the launch of this product was postponed due to the increased costs associated with the larger OLED display. Yet, numerous speculations still point to its debut in the first quarter of 2024. Prior to this, the market was rife with rumors suggesting Apple’s intention to release a larger-screened iPad, possibly in collaboration with display panel manufacturers such as BOE and LG.

Currently, Apple’s largest iPad model is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which closely aligns in size with the 13.3-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. If Apple were to release an iPad exceeding 14 inches, it would further blur the distinctions between the iPad and MacBook lineups.

Nevertheless, Apple has traditionally delineated clear roles for the iPad and MacBook (tablet and laptop), with the iPad catering to intuitive touch operations and lighter workloads, while the MacBook is tailored for more intricate tasks and a traditional laptop experience. Yet, the two can function in a complementary or extended manner, such as using the iPad as an external monitor or for collaborative drawing. Conversely, a MacBook can seamlessly pick up where an iPad left off, exemplified by further editing a video initially trimmed on an iPad.

If Apple does plan on launching a larger iPad in the future, it might be positioned as a higher-tier product, much like the current 12.9-inch model is exclusive to the iPad Pro lineup and serves ideally as a MacBook’s “extended display.”

Beyond Apple, several competitors have already ventured into larger tablet domains. For instance, Samsung unveiled its 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra last year and updated it this year with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra of the same size. They even previously catered to home users with the massive 18.4-inch Galaxy View series.