iPad missing Apple event coverage has become a familiar headline. While Apple unveiled the iPhone 17 lineup and new Apple Watch models in its September showcase, there was no mention of the iPad. For a product once described as the “future of computing,” its absence from stage presentations raises questions.
In recent years, the iPad’s refresh schedule has become irregular compared to the steady annual rhythm of iPhone and Apple Watch.
It’s not surprising that iPad updates weren’t part of this iPhone launch event. Apple seems to be focusing more on the iPad as a computer, which is why they’re timing the new-gen presentations differently.
Recent iPad Release History
To understand the gap, it helps to look back. Apple has tended to update the iPad family on its own schedule rather than aligning with September iPhone events. Here are the most recent major launches:
- May 2024: iPad Pro with M4 chip, first Apple device to ship with OLED Ultra Retina XDR display
- May 2024: iPad Air (M2) in two sizes, marking the first time the Air came in both 11-inch and 13-inch versions
- October 2022: 10th-generation iPad (redesigned with USB-C) and iPad Pro models with M2 chip
- September 2021: iPad mini 6th generation with A15 Bionic, still the most recent update for Apple’s smallest tablet
This staggered release history explains why September 2025 came and went without iPad announcements. The newest iPad Pro and iPad Air arrived earlier this year, leaving little reason for immediate updates. The iPad mini, however, is due for attention after four years without a refresh.
Why the iPad Might Sit Out Events
The iPad occupies a different role in Apple’s lineup today than it did a decade ago. While the iPhone anchors September keynotes, and the Mac and Vision Pro earn their own spotlight events, the iPad often gets quieter press releases or springtime presentations. This approach suggests Apple sees the iPad as stable, less in need of annual cycle.
There’s also the question of market focus. Tablet sales remain strong for education, enterprise, and creative work, but they no longer drive Apple’s growth the way iPhones do. By spacing out iPad announcements, Apple can deliver bigger leaps — like the stunning XDR OLED iPad Pro — rather than incremental annual changes.
Waiting for the Next Chapter
For iPad users, the silence at September’s event is not the end of the story. Rumors continue around a next-generation iPad mini. Whether these appear in 2026 or as part of another spring release cycle remains to be seen.
Apple’s decision not to spotlight the iPad this fall may reflect confidence in the current lineup rather than neglect. Still, for those who rely on the tablet daily, the question remains: when will the iPad step back into the spotlight?
