Apple has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of what a tablet can be, and the 2024 launch of the 13-inch iPad Pro equipped with the blazing-fast M4 chip is a perfect example of that ambition. This new iPad is incredibly powerful, boasting a tandem OLED display and astonishing performance, even rivaling some MacBooks in daily workflows. But despite all this innovation, one device has remained notably absent: the much-rumored and long-awaited iPad Ultra. This information is also featured on 9to9trends YouTube, so don’t forget to check it out.
First mentioned in tech circles as early as 2022, the iPad Ultra was expected to redefine the tablet space with a massive 14- to 16-inch display, bringing a true hybrid of laptop-sized screens and iPad functionality. However, the dream of an ultra-large iPad has remained just that—a dream. So what happened to the iPad Ultra? And is there any hope that it might eventually make its way into Apple’s product lineup?
The Origins of the iPad Ultra Rumors:
The story begins in 2022, just as Apple was riding the wave of its M1 chip introduction into the iPad Pro lineup. At that time, Apple’s tablets were already known for their performance, but the design had remained more or less unchanged since 2018, when the A12X-powered iPad Pro first adopted the flat-edge aesthetic and Face ID. Although Apple had introduced mini-LED technology in the 12.9-inch model, users were starting to look for more than just internal upgrades—they wanted a bigger canvas, especially for creative work and multitasking.
That’s when the rumors of a so-called “iPad Ultra” began to circulate. According to early leaks, this new iPad would boast a massive 16-inch display, bringing it close in size to the 16.2-inch MacBook Pro. This idea, while ambitious, wasn’t entirely outlandish—Samsung had already ventured into large-screen territory with its 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, offering productivity users and digital artists an alternative to laptops.
Silence, Contradictions, and Glimmers of Hope
For a while, excitement around the iPad Ultra gained momentum, especially in the second half of 2022. Tech insiders and leakers hinted that Apple was working on multiple prototypes, possibly with both 14-inch and 16-inch displays. However, things quickly grew confusing. By early 2023, a new wave of leaks suggested that Apple had abandoned plans for these larger iPads altogether. Industry watchers were disheartened, assuming the project had hit a dead end. But then came a glimmer of hope.
At the end of 2023, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple had been very close to releasing a 14-inch iPad during the year. Whether he was referencing a scaled-down version of the iPad Ultra, a test prototype, or just an early iteration of the eventual 13-inch M4 iPad Pro remains unclear. Nevertheless, it was enough to keep the iPad Ultra conversation alive.
But since Gurman’s late-2023 report, the conversation has gone completely quiet. In 2024, despite the launch of an impressive new iPad Pro generation, there has been no sign of the iPad Ultra. No leaks, no CAD designs, no case molds—nothing. This silence has led many industry analysts to conclude that Apple may have shelved or indefinitely delayed the project. When Apple commits to a product, there are usually signs—clues in the supply chain, references in code, or accessory development. In the case of the iPad Ultra, all signs currently point to a project that’s been put on ice.
Why Apple Might Have Canceled or Delayed the iPad Ultra
There are several potential reasons why Apple may have stepped back from releasing an ultra-sized iPad. First is market demand. While a 16-inch iPad sounds exciting on paper, the audience for such a device is incredibly niche. Creatives, architects, video editors, and multitaskers might appreciate the real estate, but the average user already finds the 12.9-inch iPad to be large. Going even bigger could present practical limitations, such as weight, portability, and the awkwardness of using such a large device on the go. Additionally, a 16-inch iPad would need serious internals to justify its cost and performance.
Something like an M5 chip or even an M5 Pro would be ideal, but such chips demand active cooling, potentially requiring internal fans or vapor chambers, adding bulk, complexity, and even more cost. Another reason could be product overlap. Apple already has a 16-inch MacBook Pro that serves power users well. Introducing a 16-inch iPad might cannibalize sales from the MacBook line, especially if both devices support similar accessories and performance levels. Apple is typically cautious about internal competition within its ecosystem, and the iPad Ultra might have crossed that line.
The Rise of Samsung and the Ultra Tablet Market
While Apple has remained quiet, Samsung has gone all-in on the idea of an “Ultra” tablet. Their Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, followed by the S9 Ultra and now the anticipated S10 Ultra, have all pushed the limits of a large-screen tablet. These devices feature stunning OLED panels up to 14.6 inches, ultra-thin bezels, and top-tier Android performance. For creative professionals and those who want a massive tablet experience, Samsung has become the default choice. Apple’s absence in this segment is notable, especially considering that the company already possesses the hardware, software, and chip engineering capabilities to deliver an iPad Ultra that could easily outperform its Android rivals.
Apple’s latest 13-inch M4 iPad Pro does use a tandem OLED display, which is more advanced than the OLED panels used in Samsung’s tablets. In theory, this tech could be scaled up for an iPad Ultra, providing users with a larger and more visually striking canvas. However, without confirmation from Apple or evidence from the supply chain, this remains speculative.
Is There Still Hope for the iPad Ultra?
Despite the current silence, there is still some hope that the iPad Ultra could see the light of day, just not anytime soon. Looking ahead, Apple’s M5 chip is expected to launch sometime in late 2025. If an iPad Ultra were to happen, 2026 might be the earliest realistic window. This would allow Apple to introduce the M5 iPad Pro series, possibly followed by a high-performance Ultra version equipped with a larger display and a binned M5 Pro chip for maximum productivity. Such a device would be a game-changer for artists, professionals, and content creators who want the performance of a MacBook Pro with the flexibility of iPadOS.
However, this kind of hardware would not come cheap. The current 13-inch M4 iPad Pro already starts at $1,299 without accessories. A 14- or 16-inch iPad Ultra would likely start at around $1,600 or even $1,700. And if Apple decides to go all out with an M5 Pro chip, advanced cooling, and OLED display tech, it’s very likely that the price could climb north of $2,000. This doesn’t include the Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil, which would further add to the cost, potentially making the iPad Ultra more expensive than a MacBook Pro.
Final Thoughts: A Dream on Pause
At the moment, the iPad Ultra remains one of Apple’s most intriguing unreleased devices. The idea of a 16-inch iPad—essentially a canvas for creative professionals and multitaskers—still excites fans and users around the world. But for now, all signs point to the project being shelved, paused, or at least significantly delayed. Apple may revisit the idea once the technology and market demand align better, possibly with the M5 generation. Until then, the iPad Ultra will remain a ghost in the Apple universe—a glimpse into what could have been, and maybe, what still could be.
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Last update on 2025-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
