Back in October, we heard that Apple is likely to release two iPad Air 6 models in 2024 In addition to the familiar 109-inch model that has been a staple of Apple's release schedule since the fourth generation, there will apparently be a super-sized 129-inch model to rival the iPad Pro

Now 91mobiles has published what it claims are raw CAD rendered images of the new larger model provided by "industry sources"

As can be seen from the images scattered throughout this article, there are not many aesthetic changes If true, the next iPad Air will match the industrial design of the previous model, keeping the TouchID and speaker grills In fact, aside from the larger screen, the only really notable difference is the camera arrangement The slightly protruding rectangular model is somewhat reminiscent of Apple's smartphone camera on the iPhone XS, unlike the flat version on the current model

By releasing the iPad Air in two sizes, Apple's strategy seems to mimic the recent iPhone: in 2022, Apple eliminated the iPhone mini and simplified its lineup: both the Pro and regular iPhone are 61" and 67 sizes, meaning you don't have to pay for the Pro's features if you just want the bigger screen

Currently, if you want Apple's 129-inch tablet, you have to pay at least $1,099 The 129-inch iPad Air is expected to cost more than the $599 starting price of the current 109-inch version, but it will obviously be cheaper than the Pro would It will be

Apple did not release a single iPad in 2023, but it appears to be making up for it this year by releasing new models in all categories

Moving away from the iPad Air, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman predicts big things for the iPad Pro in 2024 It will have an OLED screen, the power of the M3 chip, and a reborn Magic Keyboard

For the iPad mini 7 and 11th generation iPad, however, the general consensus is to expect basic spec upgrades rather than more dramatic ones

As for when the new models will appear, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted a schedule According to him, the iPad Air will appear in the first quarter of this year, followed by the iPad Pro, with mass production coming in late Q1 or Q2

The regular iPad and iPad mini will not follow until later this year, he writes, suggesting that Apple probably sees them as Christmas sales