Apple recently flirted with the idea of launching a groundbreaking 14-inch iPad, but it appears that this grand vision has been put on hold, according to Bloomberg’s tech guru, Mark Gurman. In his “Power On” newsletter, Gurman revealed that Apple had been toying with the concept of a supersized iPad since 2021, and for a while, it seemed like we were on the brink of witnessing the most massive iPad ever. However, as of now, this ambitious project seems to have been shelved, leaving us to ponder what might have been.
The OLED Display Dilemma: One of the key stumbling blocks in realizing this gigantic iPad dream was the transition to OLED displays. While OLED technology offers stunning visuals, it comes at a considerably higher cost, especially for larger tablet displays. This financial hurdle likely played a significant role in Apple’s decision to pull the brakes on the 14-inch iPad project. As per earlier speculations, the first iPad Pro models slated for release in the first half of 2024 are expected to max out at 13 inches.
A Brief History of Larger iPad Rumors: The notion of iPads with larger screens has tantalized Apple enthusiasts for a while. Mark Gurman initially hinted at Apple’s exploration of iPads with more expansive displays, blurring the lines between tablets and laptops. In January 2022, reports emerged that suppliers like BOE and LG were gearing up to provide Apple with 15-inch OLED displays for future iPad models.
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The rumor mill churned even faster when the leaker “Majin Bu” suggested the existence of a 14.1-inch iPad with the formidable M2 chip—an idea corroborated by the reputable display industry analyst Ross Young. However, Young added that the device would feature a mini-LED display but miss out on ProMotion for variable refresh rates up to 120Hz. Later, Young updated his forecast, indicating a switch to an LCD display similar to that found on the iPad mini and iPad Air.
In October 2022, Wayne Ma of The Information reported Apple’s development of a 16-inch iPad with ambitions to launch it in late 2023. This device would have offered a screen size akin to that of the 16-inch MacBook Pro, providing users with a significantly larger canvas for their tasks. Lastly, in December, Ross Young suggested that Apple had deferred its plans for the 14.1-inch iPad.
The Future of Larger iPads: Although the saga of larger iPad models has been filled with twists and turns, it’s clear that Apple may still be eyeing the prospect of introducing such devices in the future. The largest iPads available since 2018 have been the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. Even the biggest iPads in Apple’s lineup remain smaller than the smallest MacBooks, namely the M1 MacBook Air and M2 MacBook Pro, which boast 13.3-inch displays. With the 12.9-inch iPad Pro rumored to grow to 13 inches, it seems only a matter of time before Apple brings us a substantially larger iPad model.
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In conclusion, while the 14-inch iPad may have slipped through our fingers, the saga of larger iPads continues to unfold. Apple’s pursuit of innovation knows no bounds, and the prospect of a more substantial iPad is undoubtedly still on the horizon, even if we haven’t heard much about it lately.
