Tablet sales, including that of the iPad, have plateaued over the last few quarters. Apple is said to be going all-in on the 2024 iPad Pro lineup in a bid to attract new users and to convince existing users to upgrade.
Apple is most likely to announce the next-generation iPad Pro on May 7 at its upcoming ‘Let Loose’ event. This time around, the iPad Pro is said to have some substantial hardware upgrades, including a new OLED screen, a new chip, and is also touted as one designed to offer several AI experiences.
Also read | Apple iPad Air (6th Gen): Everything we know so far
With just a few days left for the official launch, here is everything you need to know about the 2024 edition of the iPad Pro:
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Two sizes, OLED screen and a thinner form factor
iPad Pro with Magic keyboard (Image credit: Apple)
Since the first generation, Apple has always been offering the iPad Pro series in two sizes, and the tradition is likely to continue. Apple is likely to unveil an 11-inch and a bigger 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.
These, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, are touted to be the first set of iPads with an OLED screen, a display technology that is far superior—in terms of colour accuracy, contrast, and brightness—to the mini LED display on the current models.
A report from Bloomberg suggested the 2024 iPad Pro lineup will include an OLED screen, and Apple is said to be in talks with various display vendors like Samsung and LG for the supply of the OLED panels.
Also read | My iPad Pro (2024) wishlist: 5 changes I want to see at Apple’s ‘Let Loose’ event
Thanks to the OLED display panel, the 2024 iPad Pro lineup is likely to get thinner, at least by a few millimetres, and it could also get lighter by a few grams due to the change in the internal structure of the device. A report from 9to5Mac, suggested the upcoming iPad Pros could be up to 20 per cent thinner than its predecessors.
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There are also rumours that instead of the traditional 12.9-inch size, Apple would introduce a much bigger 14-inch model, primarily to help users distinguish between the iPad Pro and the iPad Air. If this doesn’t happen this year, it may happen next year.
High performance M3/M4 chip
The most recent updates to the iPad arrived back in October 2022. (Image: Apple)
Until last week, almost every report suggested that the 2024 iPad Pro series will be powered by the M3 chip, the same chip that powers the latest MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro lineup. However, a recent report from Bloomberg suggested that Apple might give the device the M4 chip to compete against the upcoming Qualcomm-powered Windows laptops.
Even with the M3 chip, Apple is pitching the new MacBooks for gaming, and this is likely to continue with the iPad Pro, and Apple is likely to add more AAA titles.
Bloomberg claims that the new M4-powered iPad Pro will be pitched as an AI-capable tablet. However, one might have to wait at least until the iPadOS 18 update (WWDC 2024) to get a glimpse of the AI capabilities. Just like the current generation models, the upcoming iPads are likely to be made available in different storage options, starting from 128 GB and going up to 2 TB. There will also be Wi-Fi and cellular models with support for 5G/Wi-Fi 6E networks.
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New Apple Pencil, new Magic Keyboard anticipated
Apple did release a new Pencil with a USB-C recently, however, that was meant for entry-level models. The company is likely to introduce a third-gen Pencil, compatible with the iPad Pro, at the ‘Let Loose’ event.
Apple may also launch a new Magic Keyboard, which when paired with the iPad Pro, should transform into a laptop. The improved Magic Keyboard is speculated to offer a large trackpad and better keys, and it is also said to have a metal finish to help deliver a laptop-like experience.
iPad Pro (2024) launch date and pricing
Apple iPad Pro (2024) series, with the iPad Air (2024) series, and other accessories like the Magic Keyboard and third-generation Apple Pencil are most likely to be unveiled on May 7, and might go on sale in the second half of May. In terms of pricing, the iPad Pro (2024) series might get a price bump due to its hardware upgrade.