Apple has taken the iPad Pro to a whole new level with its latest release. These new models boast the company’s most powerful chip yet, the M4, along with a dazzling OLED display for the first time ever on an iPad.
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Say goodbye to LCD and Mini-LED. The new iPad Pro comes standard with a stunning “tandem” OLED display, dubbed Ultra Retina XDR by Apple. This important change delivers great picture quality with rich colours, deep blacks, and exceptional contrast. It even surpasses the limitations of earlier OLEDs, reaching a peak brightness of 1,500 nits – rivalling even Mini-LED. To further enhance the viewing experience, a nano-texture glass option is available for the 1TB and 2TB models, minimizing pesky screen glare.
Apple’s dedication to the new display is evident in the iPad Pro’s sleek design. The 11-inch model is a mere 5.3mm thin and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch version comes in at a remarkable 5.1mm and nearly a quarter-pound lighter than its predecessor.
Skipping the M3 entirely, Apple throws down the gauntlet with the M4 chip, a testament to the significance of these new iPad Pros. This powerhouse boasts up to 10 cores for both CPU and GPU, delivering performance gains of up to 50% and 400% for CPU and GPU, respectively, compared to the M2. The M4 also features a blazing-fast Neural Engine capable of 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) – the fastest currently available, edging close to the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite chips.
The rear camera receives an upgrade to 12 megapixels with Smart HDR capabilities, while a True Tone flash aids in document scanning. Apple even claims AI integration for clearer scanned images through a multi-image merging process. Finally, mirroring the recent 10th-gen iPad, the front camera relocates to the top of the landscape view – a welcome change for video conferencing.
To further its laptop aspirations, Apple offers the revamped Magic Keyboard ($299 for 11-inch, $349 for 13-inch) featuring a metal wrist rest, function keys, and a significantly larger trackpad. This new iteration aims to create a more MacBook-like experience, with the hope of iOS 18 furthering multitasking capabilities. Artists will also rejoice with the introduction of the new Apple Pencil Pro ($129), featuring pressure and tilt sensitivity alongside haptic feedback.
The new iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model ($1,199 with 5G) and $1,299 for the 13-inch ($1,499 with 5G). These price points reflect a $200 increase across the board, solidifying Apple’s vision of these devices as true laptop replacements.
