iPad Air Update Rumored to Feature M3 Chip Instead of M4
A well-known and generally reliable leaker is predicting that the next iPad Air will be powered by the M3 chip, countering earlier rumors suggesting a jump to the M4 chip. Apple is expected to launch an updated iPad Air in the spring, bringing improved Apple Silicon performance. However, according to this leak, the performance upgrade may not be as significant as initially speculated.
Leaked Details from Evan Blass (“evleaks”)
Evan Blass, operating under the pseudonym “evleaks,” shared an image privately on social media that seems to list the next iPad and iPad Air models. While much of the information in the image is blurred, the description for the iPad Air indicates its next processor.
The listing mentions “iPad Air 13″ (M3),” referring to a 13-inch model. This suggests the iPad Air will move from its current M2 chip to the M3, rather than jumping directly to the M4 as previously rumored.
Blass has a strong track record of accurate leaks, despite becoming less active in recent years. His predictions have often been reliable, including his pre-WWDC 2023 leaks about the introduction of the Apple Vision Pro.
Conflicting Rumors about the iPad Air
This leak contradicts earlier reports. On January 7, another rumor suggested the iPad Air would skip the M3 and upgrade directly to the M4 chip. The reasoning was tied to expectations of the iPad Pro moving to the M5 chip later in the year, implying a natural progression for the iPad Air.
There is precedent for Apple skipping a generation between chip upgrades, as seen when the iPad Pro leapt from the M1 to the M2. However, there’s no guarantee Apple will follow the same pattern for the iPad Air.
Strategic Considerations for Apple
Apple may have strategic reasons to limit the iPad Air to the M3 chip. Giving it the M4 would blur the performance gap between the Air and the Pro models, potentially reducing the incentive for consumers to upgrade to the iPad Pro—especially given reports of disappointing iPad Pro sales.
The introduction of OLED displays in the iPad Pro has not met expectations, with reports claiming underwhelming sales figures. In January, LG Display was even said to be repurposing underutilized iPad Pro display production lines to create iPhone displays instead. Given these challenges, Apple is unlikely to further undermine the iPad Pro’s value by offering too significant an upgrade to the iPad Air.
Conclusion
If the leak is accurate, the next iPad Air will feature the M3 chip, not the M4 as previously rumored. This move aligns with Apple’s strategy to differentiate its product lineup, ensuring the iPad Pro remains the go-to choice for performance-focused buyers.
