iPad Air Shipments Arriving at Apple Stores Ahead of Launch

Apple retail stores around the world are receiving shipments of new devices that are likely to be the new iPad Air models, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

ipad air 2020 roundup header
In a tweet, Gurman said that new devices have started arriving at Apple Stores "for opening at a later date." These new devices are likely the iPad Airs that are set to go on sale at some point in October as it's too early for the iPhones to be arriving in stores as of yet.

When the new ‌iPad Air‌ models were unveiled during Apple's September 15 event, there was no specific launch date provided beyond October. Because the new ‌iPad Air‌ models use the same A14 chip that's in the iPhone 12 lineup, Apple may have been holding back to prevent benchmarks and details on the chip from leaking out ahead of the ‌iPhone‌ announcement.

If that was the plan, it didn't work and A14 benchmarks leaked out anyway, so we at least know we can expect great performance from both the new ‌iPad Air‌ and the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup.

With ‌iPad Air‌ shipments arriving at retail stores, we could potentially see a launch as soon as Tuesday, October 13, after the Apple event, but there's still no concrete word on when the new tablets are coming out.

Related Roundup: iPad Air
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
apple c1

Apple Unveils 'C1' as First Custom Cellular Modem

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:08 am PST by
Apple today announced its first custom cellular modem with the name "C1," debuting in the all-new iPhone 16e. The new modem contributes to the iPhone 16e's power efficiency, giving it the longest battery life of any iPhone with a 6.1-inch display, such as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16. Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most...
Apple Northbrook

Apple Store Permanently Closing at Struggling Mall in Chicago Area

Tuesday February 18, 2025 8:46 pm PST by
Apple is permanently closing its retail store at the Northbrook Court shopping mall in the Chicago area. The company confirmed the upcoming closure today in a statement, but it has yet to provide a closing date for the location. Apple Northbrook opened in 2005, and the store moved to a larger space in the mall in 2017. Apple confirmed that affected employees will continue to work for the...

Top Rated Comments

cobioguy Avatar
57 months ago

I'm really surprised online ordering didn't start today. Maybe they are waiting until next Friday when they also open it up for iPhone 12 orders.
I think they are waiting for their back to school promotion to expire Monday
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
satchmo Avatar
57 months ago

I agree. Infuriating, really. Because of COVID, you would think Apple would have ramped up iPad production/supply chain/consumer-retail value chain, etc. They've had 1/2 the year. iPads of all stripes have been sold out for weeks, and my kids are suffering in school without a device. If sales are down, they have themselves to blame. It's not like there wasn't a demand for the things.
There was a story that Foxconn was running at full capacity 24/7 cranking out Apple products. These factories are huge employing thousands of workers likely also having to deal with Covid restrictions and safety measures.

I can understand being frustrated at supply, but I think sometimes we take things for granted not realizing the enormous demand and quantities that are being produced.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dwalls90 Avatar
57 months ago
The release of this iPad is just bizarre. If stock is hitting stores then after the event makes most sense to me.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
easy4lif Avatar
57 months ago
They go on sale immediately after Tuesday event. There’s got to be a warehouse full of them ready to go.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Caliber26 Avatar
57 months ago
I really wish this iPad would’ve kept its $499 price point. You guys think we could see Black Friday deals for this iPad even though it’s so new?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
carrrrrlos Avatar
57 months ago
Available next week! :)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)