Apple may launch 10.8-inch iPad before December 2020, an 8.5-inch model may arrive in early 2021

Apple is not just launching new ARM-architecture based Mac devices later this year but also a new iPad tablet, as per analyst Ming Chi-Kuo. The mix is supposed to include a 10.8-inch iPad, which is likely to be followed by an 8.5-inch iPad in the first half of 2021, says Kuo in his latest research note obtained by Macrumors. It has not been detailed if the upcoming 10.8-inch iPadwill be a new version of the existing 10.2-inch iPad or the 10.5-inch iPad Air. 

However, the 8.5-inch version is said to be the follow up to Apple’s iPad Mini. For those unaware, Apple updated its iPad line up with an iPad Mini sporting A12 Bionic chipset back in March last year. It also included an upgraded camera and support for Apple Pencil, which at one point was iPad Pro exclusive only.

Also read: Apple's Craig Federighi explains why there's no native Calculator and Weather app for iPad

The researcher adds that both the upcoming 10.8-inch and 8.5-inch iPads are supposed to have a 20W power adapter in the box. This, in case you haven’t been following, is a new charger altogether. Right now, the fastest adapter you can get right now is the 18W brick.

While this was for the iPads, Barclays predicts that there won’t be any charging adapter or earpods in the iPhone 12 box. Instead, the box will ship with just a cable (USB Type-C to Lightning). The move is likely to help Apple push the sales of its wireless AirPods as well as chargers. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo had made the same prediction last week. Kuo stated that Apple may launch several schemes to drive the sales of AirPods, which may have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, a leaked image showing the 20W Apple charger has also made its way to the web.