For years, Apple has been quietly shaping the possibility of a larger, more powerful iPad Ultra—yet every attempt has stalled before reaching consumers. Internal experimentation has been obvious through repeated leaks, prototypes, and credible industry reports. One of the biggest confirmations came from Mark Gurman, who revealed in 2023 that Apple was extremely close to releasing a 14-inch iPad model. This information is also featured on 9to9trends’ YouTube channel, so be sure to check it out.
This wasn’t just a bigger iPad Pro; it was the foundation for what many enthusiasts now call the “iPad Ultra,” a device meant to expand multitasking, strengthen creative workflows, and push tablet computing into a new category. But despite being “close,” the project disappeared. Alongside this, other reports mentioned 16-inch prototypes circulating inside Apple’s labs, suggesting that multiple large-screen sizes were tested. The pattern is clear: Apple has repeatedly built and evaluated larger iPads, but something in the process—whether software readiness, hardware limitations, or strategic uncertainty—has stopped the company from moving forward.
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The Software Barrier Holding the Hardware Back
If one issue consistently slows the idea of a large iPad, it’s the software. iPadOS, even with ongoing refinements, still feels like a stretched version of iOS rather than the desktop-capable environment Apple wants it to be. Although the company separated iPadOS from iOS around six to seven years ago, the system still carries legacy limitations. The introduction of multitasking features initially created some optimism, and the latest iteration—iPadOS 26—finally embraces more advanced window management, giving users flexible window views and more control over multiple apps.
But the reality is simple: these features only shine on larger displays and even then, still expose the underlying constraints of the OS. On an iPad mini or any 11-inch model, windowed layouts feel cramped. On the 13-inch iPad Air and Pro, the experience becomes more functional, but still far from desktop-level productivity. This mismatch makes it easy to understand why Apple hasn’t pushed forward with 14- or 16-inch models. Releasing massive hardware without software that fully leverages it would only highlight iPadOS’s shortcomings instead of progress.
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The Hardware Apple Held Back From Releasing
Hardware leaks over the past few years paint a clear picture of Apple’s internal ambitions. Slimmer-bezel reports from June hinted at a new model with a larger display area, but the M5 iPad Pro arrived with identical bezels to the M4 version, meaning those leaks either described abandoned prototypes or early testing units that never passed internal evaluation. Then came the more ambitious claim from Ming-Chi Kuo, who reported that Apple was working on a foldable iPad—an idea that feels misaligned with real usage.
Folding a 16-inch tablet isn’t any more practical than carrying a 16-inch MacBook Pro, and Apple knows that. Users already accept large laptops without needing folding screens, so the utility of such a design remains questionable. Meanwhile, competitors like Samsung have successfully released 14.6-inch tablets, proving that the market for oversized tablets does exist, but Apple’s hesitation suggests that the company does not want to enter the category until it can execute at a level that makes the device feel necessary rather than experimental.
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Why Apple Hasn’t Used a Pro-Tier Chip in an iPad Yet
The performance gap is another major obstacle. A true iPad Ultra would need more than the standard M-series chip currently used in the iPad Pro line. It would require a Pro-tier chip—something like a future M6 Pro or M7 Pro—to justify the larger form factor and target professional creative users. But adding high-tier chips introduces heat challenges that current iPads are not designed to handle. A larger body would allow for better heat dissipation, potentially even enabling vapor chambers or a small internal fan, but this would be a major design departure for Apple.
The company has always sold the iPad as a silent, cool, fanless device. Breaking that identity risks blurring the line between iPad and MacBook even further. And that overlap is something Apple has been deliberately avoiding for years. If an iPad starts using a MacBook-class chip and cooling system while still running iPadOS, customers may question why they should pay a premium for a product with fewer capabilities than macOS devices in the same price range.
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The Current iPad Lineup and Why It Limits Apple’s Next Move
Understanding Apple’s hesitation becomes easier when comparing its current lineup. The iPad Pro today tops out at 11 and 13 inches, powered by the M5 chip. These devices already cover the high-end tablet market and provide more performance than most users realistically need. Apple knows that the iPad Pro is not its best-selling tablet—the standard iPad is. The mass market has made it clear that affordability matters more than power.
Launching a large, iPad Ultra-premium iPad would target a small niche, primarily artists and professional creators who prefer Apple Pencil workflows over MacBooks. That niche exists, but it is not large enough for Apple to rush development. Before committing to a 14- or 16-inch iPad Ultra, the company needs confidence that the device won’t become an expensive, low-volume product that complicates the lineup without offering significant revenue.
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The Realistic Outlook for iPad Ultra Release Date and Price
As of now, the possibility of Apple releasing a larger iPad Ultra stands at an even 50/50. The company has the hardware concepts, early prototypes, and software foundations to move forward, but has not committed to full production. Most insiders believe that if a larger iPad is coming, stronger evidence will emerge sometime in 2026, since upcoming software improvements could finally make large-screen multitasking compelling enough for Apple to proceed.
The iPad Ultra price would undoubtedly land above the current 13-inch iPad Pro, positioning the new model at the very top of the lineup—likely in the premium range where only specialised users invest. Until more leaks appear, the future of the iPad Ultra remains suspended between potential and hesitation, waiting for the moment Apple believes the market and the software are ready.
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Last update on 2026-01-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
