We expect the new iPad 2021 model, the ninth generation of Apple's popular tablet, to arrive this year. And while we have good reason to expect it, Apple seems to be tightly controlling the rumors at the moment, as not much has been revealed about the new iPad.

That said, we have found all the details that have now been leaked, and we are still waiting to see what the new iPad will look like in the near future. In addition to that, we've also compiled a wish list of what Apple needs to do to ensure that the iPad remains at the top of our best tablets list.

If past precedent is any indication, Apple will probably offer a new iPad with small tweaks. iPad seems to be on a slow moving trajectory of improvement as Apple seems confident that its basic metrics are correct.

We expect a new iPad this year because Apple has given us something to look forward to every year; Apple has released a new iPad every year since the iPad was created (with the exception of 2015 and 2016).

If we had to guess, the new iPad will likely arrive in late September 2021 (although it could be sooner). Currently, Apple favors a release later in the year to update the tablet. The 7th generation iPad is being released on September 25, 2019, and the 8th generation model on September 18, 2020. We have also reported on supply chain issues that could lead to shortages of tablets, and many other products later in the year, and Apple may maintain its release pattern for the holiday season.

Nevertheless, we have heard the same rumors from two unproven sources, such as more venerable leakers. They are Chinese news site CN Beta, which noted "next spring" for a "new generation iPad," and tech leaker @cozyplanes (whose tweets are no longer seen).

However, current iPad Pro rumors suggest that the high-end iPad will appear at Apple's unannounced Spring 2021 event, and Apple historically does not update both at the same time.

Apple seems intent on keeping the iPad at $329, but most likely will not have to pay full price; Amazon and others often offer great deals on iPads that are at least $30 cheaper.

Nevertheless, both CN Beta and cozyplanes point to the $299 iPad. In the past, this price has been reserved for educational buyers, but we would like to see Apple drop the iPad price. Samsung's Galaxy Tab A7 is similar to the iPad, but only $229. The same goes for the newly announced Lenovo Tab P11.

Both CN Beta and @cozyplanes claim that the new iPad will be thinner and lighter, have a 10.5-inch screen, and run on the A13 processor. We would be happy to see an update like when Apple didn't wait a year to update the A12 chip in the iPad 2021 and continued to use the A11 chip in multiple previous models.

Also, a larger screen makes sense as it gives more reason to upgrade: the iPad went from a 9.7" panel on the 6th generation model in 2018 to a 10.2" screen on the 7th and 8th generation models in the last two years.

We can ask a lot from the new iPad, but we know better than to expect the world; if we want the 2021 iPad to deliver what we want it to deliver, it is best to aim lower than the iPad Air (2020) and iPad Pro. Apple does not want to cannibalize itself with these expensive tablets and has already taken a risk with the iPad Air.

We can also figure out about the iPad 2021 from what we haven't heard. Unless there are rumors of an overall design change, it is unlikely that a second-generation Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard (both of which require additional or modified surfaces to fit) will be supported. But a new design is not impossible; take a look at the iPhone 12. All models share the same aesthetic; I wish the iPad did too.

Some features should be available to all. For example, everyone relies on video conferencing these days, so there is no reason why the iPad should not have the same 7MP front-facing camera that is on the iPad Air and Pro.

Another thing the iPad should borrow from the iPad Air and Pro is the USB-C port. This allows for fast charging, which should be a basic feature of all iPads. Also, Apple: step up from the basic 10W charger brick you include.

Finally, I would like Apple to upgrade the default storage capacity from 32GB to 64GB. Again, this is a starting point for the iPhone 12 and allows for more apps, photos, and videos without paying $100 to upgrade to the 128GB version, unless Apple has so many 32GB storage parts lying around that would make sense for the slate.