Apple has certainly raised some eyebrows with its stunning iPad Pro models, which come in 11-inch and 13-inch flavors this year. Along with these slim and premium iPads, Apple also introduced new accessories, one of which was the brand new Magic Keyboard. With a metal palm rest, a row of function keys, and a large trackpad, it aims to provide a laptop-like typing and tracking experience, which will help users get more done on their iPad than on a notebook. Along with the news about new low-end and mid-range iPad models, there has now also been a report about a new Magic Keyboard accessory that has been specifically designed for these models.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also mentioned Apple’s iPad accessory when discussing Apple’s overall strategy in his newsletter. According to the report, Apple is working on a new low-end iPad Magic Keyboard accessory for future iPad models. The source claims that the new keyboard will be inspired by the Magic Keyboard currently available for iPad Pro models in terms of accessory design, but will miss out on some premium design bits.
It is not yet clear whether the new keyboard accessory will feature a trackpad or not. From Apple’s current tablet lineup, all of its recently launched iPad models feature keyboard accessories with a trackpad. While Apple recently unveiled a new iPad Air alongside its iPad Pro models, it wasn’t an entirely new design, but it was made available in a larger size (13-inch) and with a redesigned Magic There was no need or demand for a keyboard accessory. Apple’s iPad Mini is currently the only tablet left without a keyboard accessory.
The source says the new Magic Keyboard accessory, parts of which are being sourced from Apple suppliers, will be designed for “the entry-level iPad or the new iPad Air.” This new accessory may lack premium design components like a metal palm rest, but it will have new features compared to those available on the existing iPad Air Magic Keyboard accessory. Gurman suggests it could be a row of function keys (like on the new iPad Pro keyboard accessory).
According to Gurman, the affordable Magic Keyboard accessory should launch by “the middle of next year.” This is in line with previous reports on a new iPad Air model with an OLED display set for launch in 2026. The report also suggests that Apple will unveil a new iPad Mini that should be upgraded to an 8.3-inch OLED display.
