Apple's Next Big Move: The iPad Pro Redesign and Rumors The iPhone 15 is generating considerable buzz as Apple gears up for its next-gen smartphone series launch later this month. However, recent rumors have also sparked discussions around the iPad Pro, even though Apple isn't expected to make any major announcements in this category this year. Instead, 2023 might see only minor upgrades to the regular iPads. Notably, Bloomberg's tech insider, Mark Gurman, revealed that Apple was once on the brink of unveiling a groundbreaking 14-inch iPad this year, which would have been the company's largest tablet to date. While these plans seem to have been shelved, the prospect of a 14-inch iPad Pro has certainly piqued our curiosity. In a recent edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman delved into Apple's future plans for the iPad Pro lineup. He hinted at a Magic Keyboard redesign aimed at giving the 2024 iPad Pro a more iPad-like appearance. Additionally, he touched on the elusive 14-inch iPad model, a concept that has been circulating in the rumor mill. According to Gurman, Apple came "close" to launching its largest-ever iPad this year. The exact reasons for not bringing the 14-inch tablet to market remain unclear. However, Gurman suggests that Apple has been exploring the idea of a larger iPad screen since 2021, indicating a long-term interest in pushing the boundaries of tablet design. There has indeed been a surge in rumors regarding iPad screen size increases in recent years. One particularly ambitious claim from early May suggested a 14.1-inch iPad equipped with an M3 Pro chip running a special version of iPadOS. It's important to note that the M3 chip was not even available at that time, with reports suggesting its unveiling in subsequent months. As MacRumors points out, we've witnessed a steady stream of reports surrounding Apple's exploration of 14-inch and 16-inch iPad designs throughout 2022. Esteemed leakers, including Gurman and Ross Young, have alluded to the possibility of larger tablets. The Information even provided insight into Apple's purported plans to launch a 16-inch iPad in the fourth quarter of 2023. However, the current state of iPad Pro rumors appears to have cast doubt on these earlier claims. Nevertheless, it's premature to conclude that Apple has abandoned its ambition to create tablets with screens rivaling the size of its MacBooks. Gurman recently hinted that Apple's 2024 iPad Pro update will feature OLED panels. As a result, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is expected to sport a 13-inch panel, representing a modest increase in screen size. The shift to OLED screens for the iPad Pros could explain the change in Apple's plans for the 14-inch models. OLED panels are more expensive, and increasing the screen size would inevitably drive up the iPad Pro's price tag. It's important to emphasize that all of this information is speculative in nature, based on unverified rumors. Given the lack of concrete reports regarding 14-inch iPads, it seems safe to assume that there won't be a screen size update in store for users this year. Nevertheless, it remains intriguing to see what kind of iPad refreshes Apple may unveil in the near future, if any. As a devoted MacBook user, I can personally attest to the appeal of larger screens. The upgrade to a 14-inch MacBook Pro was a welcome addition to the series, and Apple's recent launch of a 15-inch MacBook Air added another exciting option to the mix. I've often expressed my desire for a MacBook design with a detachable touchscreen, akin to Microsoft's Surface convertibles. The prospect of a 14-inch iPad Pro is intriguing, especially given the integration of Stage Manager into the OS for enhanced multitasking. However, one can't help but wonder about the potential weight and its impact on extended usage. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro, currently Apple's heaviest tablet, weighs up to 685 grams. In contrast, Samsung recently introduced the 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, featuring an OLED screen and weighing as much as 737 grams. In conclusion, while the 14-inch iPad Pro may not be on the horizon for this year, Apple's continued exploration of larger tablet designs and the shift to OLED screens suggest exciting developments in the pipeline for the iPad Pro lineup in the years ahead.