In what appears to be a significant leak, renowned tech leaker Evan Blass has shared details suggesting that Apple’s next iPad Air models will feature the new M3 chip. According to a glimpse of what seems to be internal source code, Blass hinted at the arrival of new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air versions, alongside an entry-level iPad 11.
Blass, who has a history of accurate leaks, including pre-announcement reveals of the iPhone 12 and HomePod mini, posted this information on a private social media account. His latest leak counters previous speculation that the iPad Air might skip the M3 and directly adopt the M4 chip, which is currently exclusive to the iPad Pro line. This move would align with Apple’s strategy to differentiate between its tablet offerings by chip generation, rather than using the more costly and less efficient first-generation 3nm process chips.
While the specifics of the iPad 11 remain somewhat under wraps, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has suggested it might come equipped with the A17 Pro chip, enhancing its capabilities for Apple Intelligence features. Additionally, the leak hints at the development of a new iPhone SE 4, continuing Apple’s tradition of refreshing its budget smartphone line.
Apple updated the iPad Air last in May 2024 with the M2 chip, introducing for the first time a 13-inch model. If these leaks hold true, we might see these new devices announced as early as March or April, potentially with new Magic Keyboard accessories to complement them. However, no drastic design changes are expected, keeping the focus on internal upgrades.
