Apple surely surprised more than a few with its svelte iPad Pro models, which arrived in 11-inch and 13-inch versions this year. Along with these slim, premium iPads, Apple also introduced new accessories, one of which was the new Magic Keyboard. Featuring a metal palm rest, a row of function keys, and a larger trackpad, it’s meant to offer a laptop-like typing and tracking experience, which would help users accomplish more on their iPads than on a laptop. With news about new low- and mid-range iPad models on the horizon, there’s also now a report about a new Magic Keyboard accessory that’s been designed especially for these models.
Agency’s Mark Gurman, in his newsletter, while discussing Apple’s overall strategy, also mentioned Apple’s iPad accessory. According to the report, Apple is working on a new low-end Magic Keyboard accessory for future iPad models. The source claims that the new keyboard accessory would be inspired by the Magic Keyboard currently available for iPad Pro models in terms of design, but would lack some premium design elements.
It’s not yet clear whether the new keyboard accessory will feature a trackpad. Of Apple’s current lineup of tablets, all of the recently released iPad models have keyboard accessories with a built-in trackpad. While Apple did recently introduce a new iPad Air alongside its iPad Pro models, it wasn’t exactly a redesign — it was instead made available in a larger size (13 inches) and didn’t require or demand a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory. Apple’s iPad Mini is currently the only tablet left without a keyboard accessory.
The source claims that the new Magic Keyboard accessory, which Apple will be supplying parts for, will be designed for an “entry-level iPad or the new iPad Air.” This new accessory could also lack premium design components, such as a metal palm rest, but will have new features compared to what’s available on the current Magic Keyboard accessory for the iPad Air. Gurman suggests that 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 in the middle of next year. This is in line with an earlier report about new iPad Air models with OLED displays launching sometime in 2026. The report also notes that Apple will introduce a new iPad Mini that should also be upgraded to an 8.3-inch OLED display.