The wait is finally over! Today, Apple just announced its newest batch of iPads, and they bring some exciting features along with some redesigned accessories. So, let’s see if these should be your next iPads.
Firstly, Apple unveiled the new iPad Air
Today marks a first in the iPad Air Line, as Apple actually announced two sizes for the device. The smallest size is 11 inches. Also, Apple introduced a larger 13-inch model. Obviously, with the latter, you get more screen real estate. This is a fairly large display, and it’s about 7.1% smaller than the display of a 14-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (Review).
Powering both of these devices, we have the very powerful Apple M2 processor. This means that you won’t have to worry about performance at all. These processors were powering some of Apple’s full desktop computers. So, you’ll be able to have perfectly smooth performance for whatever you need to do. It doesn’t matter if you’re writing, drawing, video editing, podcasting, etc., everything will just fly.
Physically, these devices are pretty much the same as the last generation. However, there is one distinct difference. Historically, iPads have been known as portrait devices opposite the primarily landscape Android tablets. However, during the announcement, Apple announced that the front-facing camera in the iPad Air will sit on the long side. This means that, when you are conducting video calls, you will be using the tablet in landscape mode.
iPad Air prices
The base-level iPad Air comes with 128GB of storage, which is double the base storage of the last generation. The 11-inch model starts at $599, and the 13-inch model starts at $799. You can put your order in today, and they will start shipping next week.
Next, Apple unveiled the new iPad Pro
The iPad Pro tablets have always been for people who wanted the most powerful iPad experience that Apple could offer. Well, that continues with this next batch.
Just like with the new iPad Air models, the new iPad Pro comes in two different sizes. There’s an 11-inch model and a 13-inch model. Apple says that these are the thinnest Apple products today measuring only 5.3mm in thickness for the 11-inch model and 5.1mm in thickness for the 13-inch model. Apple says that this is a radically “new design,” but that’s not really saying much.
It’s what’s under the hood that really matters. For starters, Apple fitted these tablets with one of its most powerful chips to date. It skipped the Apple M3 chip and fitted these tablets with an Apple M4 chip. So, you can expect professional-level performance from this tablet. No matter what you’re doing, you will have immense power at your fingertips.
The Apple M4 was built on TSMC’s 3nm process. It contains four performance cores and six efficiency cores. It offers 50% faster CPU performance compared to the Apple M2, and it’s four times faster than that chip. Also, it consumes half of the power as the M2. So, that will be a huge gain for heat dissipation and battery life.
Another notable announcement was the fact that the iPad has finally jumped on the OLED bandwagon. The new iPad Pro uses a revolutionary new technology called “Tandem OLED” which Apple developed. Basically, the company overlaid two OLED panels. This gives the display a much higher brightness. The display can reach 1,000 nits of HDR and SDR brightness. However, it reaches a whopping 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness. So, if you happen to be watching content while outside, you should have no trouble seeing the screen.
Just like with the iPad Air, the front-facing 12-megapixel camera is on the landscape side. As for the rear camera, there’s a 12-megapixel camera that can capture up to 4K video. Also, there are four microphones, a lidar sensor, and an Adaptive True Tone flash.
iPad Pro price
if you’re looking to pick up one of these devices, the base 11-inch iPad Pro with 128GB of storage will set you back $999. The base 13-inch iPad Pro will run you back $1,299.
Accessories
Let’s not forget about the exciting extra goodies you can get with these tablets. For starters, Apple introduced the new Magic Keyboard. This keyboard is just like the last keyboard; however, it includes a new row of function keys up top along with a larger trackpad. Getting a new magic keyboard for an 11-inch iPad will cost $299. Getting one for 13-inch will cost $349.
Lastly, we have the new Apple pencil. Called the Apple Pencil Pro, this device comes with a new squeeze gesture that allows you to perform certain functions. It’s no different than the button that’s been on Samsung’s S Pen for years, to be completely frank. Also, there is a hover gesture that allows the cursor to remain visible even when you’re not touching the screen. Again, that’s reminiscent of the S Pen.
However, a new addition is the gyroscope. This allows you to rotate the pen in your hand to rotate the brush you are using. The new Apple Pencil costs $129. What’s neat is that the Apple Pencil Pro is also compatible with the new iPad Air tablets.