July 9-10, 2013
San Francisco, CA

Early Bird Tickets on Sale

Apple is preparing to release a new iPad model with 128GB of Flash memory storage, according to a rumor published by 9to5Mac.

That would double the amount of permanent storage in Apple’s high-end iPad models. The new model could be a separate version of the fourth-generation iPad with a Retina display. 9to5Mac said it didn’t have any pricing information.

The device is reportedly not a new design. It would come in both black and white color options. It would have both Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi-plus-cellular options. And it would sit alongside the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB fourth-generation iPads. Educational institutions would be able to purchase them in 10-packs for a discount.

Developers have already found code in iOS 6.1 that points to 128GB iOS devices, and Apple’s iTunes 11 release has references to 128GB storage. We’ve checked with Apple but haven’t heard back yet.

Adding new memory makes sense because power users are storing a lot of data on their iPads, from apps to videos and photos. And Apple can add more memory as prices for flash memory chips fall over time.