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Apple to refresh iPad line with new 10.8-inch model in late 2020

Apple will refresh its standard iPad line-up later this year with a new 10.8-inch model before following up with an 8.5-inch model during H1 2021, according to a fresh leak from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple has focused its efforts on the premium iPad Pro in recent years, releasing a faster revision with support for the Magic Keyboard and trackpad accessory in 2020 just 18 months after the third-gen model brought full-screen displays and other new tech.

Apple is now ready to update its more affordable tablets with a new 10.8-inch model in either Q3 or Q4 of this year.

The size is slightly larger than the current 10.2-inch iPad and 10.5-inch iPad Air, so it seems that Apple may bring the slimmer bezels and updated design to the standard models moving forward.

Kuo then expects the 8.5-inch model to replace the iPad Mini during H1 2021.

This size is also bigger than the 7.9-inch displays that have featured in every iPad Mini since its inception, again pointing to a design refresh.

While there are no specifics on tech specs, rumours suggest that the two new iPads will be powered by Apple’s latest mobile chip, the A14, which is used in the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

In what would be a surprise move after news that Apple may be dropping the charger and wired earbuds from the upcoming iPhone 12, Kuo said that a fast-charging 20W adapter could be bundled with the new iPads.

Close rival Samsung also recently announced its plans for its tablet line this year.

It wants to release a higher-end 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S7 Plus that can go up against Apple’s iPad Pro and a smaller 11-inch Tab S7 that will go toe to toe with the normal iPad.

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Chris

I've been a passionate evangelist for Apple and the Macintosh throughout my working life, my first love was a Quadra 605 working with a small creative agency in the south of Norfolk UK in the mid 1990's, I later progressed to other roles in other Macintosh dominated industries, first as a Senior graphic designer at a small printing company and then a production manager at Guardian Media Group. As the publishing and printing sector wained I moved into Internet Marketing and in 2006 co-founded blurtit.com which grew to become one the top 200 visited sites in the US (according to Quantcast), at its peak receiving over 15 million visits per month. For the last ten years I have worked as an Affiliate and Consultant to many different business and start ups, my key skill set being online marketing, on page monetisation, landing page optimisation and traffic generation, if you would like to hire me or discuss your current project please reach out to me here.

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