The MacRumors Show: Will the New iPad Air Be a Big Enough Upgrade?

On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss Apple's upcoming iPad Air models, which are expected to be announced in just a matter of weeks.


The sixth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ is rumored to feature the M2 chip, a redesigned rear camera, and specification upgrades like Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. Most significantly, the ‌iPad Air‌ is expected to come in two sizes for the first time, just like the Apple Watch, iPad Pro, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. One of the size options will be the same as the previous two generations at 10.9-inches, while the new addition to the lineup will mirror the ‌iPad Pro‌'s 12.9-inch model. The new devices should be announced alongside new ‌iPad Pro‌ models in late March or April. We also discuss iPad workflows, the new ‌MacBook Air‌, and the positioning of each of the models in the current ‌iPad‌ lineup.

The MacRumors Show is now on its own YouTube channel, so make sure you're subscribed to keep up with new episodes and clips going forward:

You can also listen to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your preferred podcasts app. You can also copy our RSS feed directly into your podcast player.


If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about Apple's new ‌MacBook Air‌ models featuring the M3 chip.

Subscribe to ‌The MacRumors Show‌ for new episodes every week, where we discuss some of the topical news breaking here on MacRumors, often joined by interesting guests such as Brian Tong, Quinn Nelson, Kevin Nether, Jared Nelson, Eli Hodapp, Luke Miani, Mike Bell, Sara Dietschy, iJustine, Jon Rettinger, Andru Edwards, Arnold Kim, Ben Sullins, Marcus Kane, Christopher Lawley, Frank McShan, David Lewis, Tyler Stalman, Jon Prosser, Sam Kohl, John Gruber, Federico Viticci, Thomas Frank, Jonathan Morrison, Ross Young, Ian Zelbo, and Rene Ritchie.

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Top Rated Comments

Darren.h Avatar
15 months ago
NO. Ipad OS needs a major overhaul. To be like macOS. Then it becomes a laptop replacement.

Dam. it costs just as much as a Mac. why not.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb098 Avatar
15 months ago
“Will the new iPads ever get released?”
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TimTheSheriff Avatar
15 months ago

NO. Ipad OS needs a major overhaul. To be like macOS. Then it becomes a laptop replacement.

Dam. it costs just as much as a Mac. why not.
100%. It also needs multiuser support. I can understand why Apple wouldn’t add multiuser support (so that they can sell more devices) but, if a Chromebook can handle multiple user accounts on a single device, why can’t iPads — at last the Pros?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ric22 Avatar
15 months ago

100%. It also needs multiuser support. I can understand why Apple wouldn’t add multiuser support (so that they can sell more devices) but, if a Chromebook can handle multiple user accounts on a single device, why can’t iPads — at last the Pros?
Multi user support is what's needed for me to buy one. When there are multiple users in the house that could benefit from occasional light iPad use, it seems unfair to ask them each to buy their own one. Parents and children, for example, should be allowed to have separate logins, like on a Mac or PC.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rishey Avatar
15 months ago
My iPad has become my favorite device, so I want the best one.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
applepotato666 Avatar
15 months ago
Unless your iPad is ancient, I guess not ? I don't notice a huge difference between the M1 iPad and the 8th gen iPad with the home button when it comes to performance. I think I'm going to go for an iPad mini if that ever gets updated, or not upgrade the iPad at all. Currently I don't see any value in the product category of iPads in general, just one more thing to charge. But I draw sometimes and it's great for that. Not that I need the M1 let alone the M3 to do that. It's just a big iPhone and I've never felt my iPhone is small.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)