We don't anticipate the new iPad for 2022 to be unveiled at the iPhone 14 announcement in early September, contrary to Apple's usual practise of introducing the most recent model of its entry-level iPad at its annual iPhone debut.
That would come as a surprise to Apple fans, who likely had "new iPad" along with the Apple Watch 8 and the phones themselves on their checklist for the company's September unveiling.
While Apple hasn't formally acknowledged that there won't be an iPad at its September event (and probably won't, right up until the event's curtain call and there isn't a tablet), However, all of the evidence points in that way. What proof, I hear you ask? So, all of these...
The leaking
It started with the leaks.
Leaks can be a dubious way to learn about products before they are released, but when the circumstances are right — or when the stories are right — we can start to believe what we're hearing.
For instance, while leakers first suggested September 14 as the debut date for the iPhone, the 7th now appears to be the most likely date.
However, it appears that all of the leakers agree that the iPads might be released on that day. No, it appears that a second launch event for these tablets will take place in October. That information has been leaked to us frequently enough for us to believe it to be accurate. However, that's not all.
.jpg)
an early version of iPadOS 16 on an iPad. (TechRadar credit for image.)
It's a software issue?
Since its products will be the first to run them, Apple typically introduces each new version of its software at product launches (though people with older gadgets can usually download the updates).
It's interesting to note that Apple has already stated that iOS 16 would not be released at the same time as iPadOS 16, the new version of the company's tablet operating system.
If iPadOS is released later, it looks like a strong indication that the iPads will follow suit—possibly in October? It's highly likely.
.jpg)
a snapshot of the iPad presentation at the 2020 Apple Event. (Apple image credit)
It has happened before.
Although it would seem strange for Apple to introduce its iPhones and iPads separately, it has done so before. In actuality, we only saw it two years ago.
A month before the release of the iPhones in 2020, Apple unveiled its tablets and smartwatches at a separate event.
Due to Covid-19, the supply chain was blamed for this, while Apple declined to comment on the rumour. However, one benefit of the event was that Apple had more time to concentrate on its non-iPhone portfolio. As a result, numerous tablets and wearables as well as a tonne of services like Apple Fitness Plus were released that year.
Apple is reportedly planning to unveil the iPhone 14 and a new iPad in addition to the Apple Watch 8, Apple Watch 8 Rugged Edition, and Apple Watch SE 2. We don't anticipate Tim Cook to be able to debut all of those products in one event, unless he has been studying rapping with Eminem.
Overall, we don't think a new iPad will be unveiled at the early September iPhone 14 event, but we do want to see one before the end of the year at a different event that will probably happen in October. So you're not completely out of luck just yet if you're eager for a new tablet.
