Apple has announced new versions of the iPad Pro (pictured above) and iPad Air, marking the first time the devices have seen an upgrade since 2022. The iPad Air was last refreshed in March 2022, while the latest iPad Pro launched a little later in October.
The new iPad Pro is naturally the splashier product, featuring a thinner design, a new display, and an all-processor. Conversely, the most notable change to the iPad Air is that it's now also available in a 13-inch variant.
Let's start with the new iPad Pro. Like its predecessors, it's still available in two sizes, although they're slightly different: 11-inch and 13-inch. The pair are thinner than ever, with the 11-inch model measuring in at 5.3mm and the 13-inch at 5.1mm. Apple says the 13-inch model is thinner than the iPod nano, making it the thinnest Apple product ever.
On the display front, the pair both use OLED displays, which allow for deeper blacks and higher contrast. Apple says it stacked two OLED panels on top of one another to allow for a brighter display. The screen can hit a peak brightness of 1,600 nits when viewing HDR content. Customers ordering a 1TB or 2TB model can upgrade to "nano texture glass", which further reduces display reflections and glare.
The new iPad Pro models are powered by an M4 chipset, which marks the first time the tablets have received a new M-series processor ahead of Macs. Apple didn't compare the M4 to the M3 found in the latest MacBooks, but says it's up to four times faster than the M2 found in the iPad Pro.
Notably, the new iPad Pro now has just one rear-facing camera - a 12MP primary lens. The ultra-wide lens from previous models is missing in action. The LiDAR sensor is still there, along with a new flash. On the front, the selfie camera is now designed for landscape use.
iPad Pro prices start at $1,699 for a WiFi-only 256GB 11-inch model, or $2,199 for a WiFi-only 256GB 13-inch model. Prices can climb as high as $4,479 for a 2TB 13-inch model with 5G and nano-texture glass. The models come in silver and space black.
The new iPad Pro variants get some new accessories to go with them: a new Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro.
The new Magic Keyboard has the same overall aesthetic, but a thinner and lighter design. It gets a trackpad with haptic feedback, a row of function keys, and an aluminium palm rest. You'll pay $499 for an 11-inch model, or $579 for a 13-inch model. The new Magic Keyboard exclusively works with the new iPad Pro.
The new Apple Pencil Pro adds haptic feedback, a squeeze gesture that can trigger actions without touching the screen, the ability to roll it to change orientation, and support for Find My. It sells for $219, like the 2nd-generation Apple Pencil it replaces. The Apple Pencil Pro also works with the new iPad Air.
The new iPad Air is a much smaller upgrade. As aforementioned, the key change is that it now comes in a 13-inch variant, alongside an 11-inch. Other changes include an M2 processor under the hood, improved speakers, and a selfie camera designed for landscape use. Storage now starts at 128GB, up from 64GB, and 512GB and 1TB options are also available. Colour options include blue, purple, starlight, and space grey.
You'll pay a minimum of $999 for a 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage, or $1,299 if you want to upgrade to a 13-inch. A 1TB 13-inch model with 5G will set you back $2,429 for those wanting to max out every spec.
Both the new iPad Pro and new iPad Air are available to pre-order right now ahead of a May 15 release date.
As part of the refresh, Apple is no longer selling the 9th-generation entry-level iPad. The 10th-generation model is now the cheapest option, and has received a price-cut from $749 to $599. This makes it $50 more expensive than what the 9th-generation model was selling for.
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Alex Choros
