Apple launches new iPad Pro and iPad Air

On May 7, 2024, Apple hosted a special event titled “Let Loose”, unveiling the latest iterations of the iPad Pro and iPad Air, alongside the groundbreaking M4 chip and Apple Pencil Pro. These innovations elevate both portability and performance to new heights, enriching user experiences across work, learning, and entertainment.

The new iPad Pro is available in two color options—silver and space black—and comes in sizes of 13 inches and 11 inches, with storage configurations of 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. The starting prices are $999 and $1499 respectively. Boasting the thinnest design to date, these models are crafted from 100% recycled aluminum, with the 13-inch model measuring 5.1mm in thickness and weighing 582g, and the 11-inch model at 5.3mm and 446g.

The most striking feature of the new iPad Pro is its screen upgrade. The device is equipped with a cutting-edge dual-layer tandem OLED technology Ultra Retina XDR display. The 13-inch model offers a resolution of 2752 x 2064, and the 11-inch model is 2420 x 1668, enhancing precision, color fidelity, and brightness. This display technology combines two OLED panels to achieve a luminosity of up to 1000 nits across the screen, with a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, unmatched in dynamic range among its peers. For the first time, Apple introduced an option for a nano-texture glass screen, which, through precise nanometer-level etching, reduces glare while maintaining superb quality and contrast.

The new models are powered by the innovative M4 chip, manufactured using TSMC’s second-generation 3nm process. The CPU features up to four performance cores and six efficiency cores, complemented by a 10-core GPU. This setup introduces dynamic caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing capabilities to the iPad for the first time. An advanced media engine supports AV1 decoding, and a new generation machine learning (ML) accelerator works alongside Apple’s most powerful neural engine to significantly enhance performance and efficiency with higher unified memory bandwidth.

Apple has also relocated the front TrueDepth camera system to the longer side of the iPad, ideal for landscape-oriented video conferences, especially when used with the Magic Keyboard or Smart Folio. The device includes a high-performance USB-C port supporting Thunderbolt 3 and USB4, providing speeds up to 40 Gb/s.

The Apple Pencil Pro introduces an array of new features and powerful interactive capabilities. Built-in sensors detect subtle pinching gestures, instantly summoning the tool palette for quick changes between different tools, line widths, and colors without disrupting the creative flow. Combined with a custom haptic engine and gyroscope, it offers more natural and precise control. A newly designed Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro features a magnetic attachment with a floating design and a full row of function keys, along with a larger trackpad with haptic feedback.

Furthermore, iPadOS has introduced advanced frameworks like Core ML, allowing developers to leverage the neural engine for on-device AI capabilities. The new models also support cloud solutions, enabling powerful productivity and creative apps that harness AI technology.

The new iPad Air is also available in 13-inch and 11-inch sizes, with color options including space gray, starlight, purple, and blue, and storage capacities of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Both models feature a Liquid Retina display with anti-reflective coating, True Tone technology, high brightness, and P3 wide color gamut. Like the new iPad Pro, the 12MP ultra-wide front camera is now positioned on the longer edge. Upgraded to the M2 chip, they boast an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, paired with a more efficient 16-core neural engine, supporting various AI functions and offering a significant performance boost in productivity and creative tasks compared to previous models. They also support the Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C), and Magic Keyboard, unlocking new possibilities for productivity and creativity.

Both the new iPad Pro and iPad Air are available for order through apple.com/store and the Apple Store app from May 7 and May 9, respectively, with official sales starting on May 15. They are also available at Apple Store retail locations and through Apple-authorized resellers.