Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and there are smaller changes compared to the previous generation devices that did not get mentioned during the event but are worth knowing about.
One of the differences worth noting is the lack of a physical SIM card slot. On the previous generation models, the cellular versions of both the iPad Air and the iPad Pro included a physical SIM card slot. In the new devices, that's no longer the case. All cellular models now support eSIM only.
It's a small but crucial detail for anyone looking to upgrade their iPad while sticking with their current cellular plan. Apple has not divulged the reason why it chose to remove the physical SIM slot, but it could have been a design decision related to making the devices slimmer, or a necessity to keep them slim, given all of the devices' hardware upgrades.
Either way, the change brings parity to Apple's latest iPad models and its iPhone, which dropped the physical SIM slot in 2022 with the launch of the iPhone 14.
Apple today introduced ultra thin iPad Pro models, which are the thinnest iPad models to date. In fact, Apple is using the tagline "thinpossible" to describe the new tablets, and with that reduction in thickness, there's also been a reduction in weight.
Both iPad Pro models are lighter than the iPad Air models, despite the iPad Air models having the "Air" name that has historically been used to denote a light weight and a thin design when compared to Pro devices.
13-inch iPad Pro - 1.28 pounds (579 grams)
13-inch iPad Air - 1.36 pounds (617 grams)
11-inch iPad Pro - 0.98 pounds (444 grams)
11-inch iPad Air - 1.02 pounds (462 grams)
The 11-inch iPad Pro is 5.3mm thick, while the 13-inch iPad Pro is 5.1mm thick, which Apple pointed out is thinner than the iPod nano. Both iPad Air models are 6.1mm thick, comparatively, and they have noticeably thicker bezels.
iPad Air pricing starts at $599, while iPad Pro pricing starts at $999.
Apple's newly announced iPad Pro models cost over $3,000 when fully configured with all available options and accessories, making it the priciest iPad to date.
The cost breakdown for the top-specification iPad Pro is as follows:
13-inch iPad Pro (starting price): $1,299
2TB storage: +$1,000
Nano-texture glass option: +$100
Wi-Fi + Cellular: +$200
Apple Pencil Pro: $129
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (13-inch model): $349
The maxed-out iPad Pro costs $2,599, but with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, it comes to a total of $3,077 – a new high for the iPad.
With the debut of updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models, Apple has streamlined its iPad lineup with a range of devices available in different sizes and price points. The iPad Air now comes in two sizes like the iPad Pro, the ninth-generation $329 iPad has been discontinued, and Apple has dropped the price of the standard 10th-generation iPad.
Apple's full lineup with starting prices:
13-inch iPad Pro - $1,299
11-inch iPad Pro - $999
13-inch iPad Air - $799
11-inch iPad Air - $599
10.9-inch iPad - $349 (down from $449)
8.3-inch iPad mini - $499
The low-cost iPad now starts at $349 instead of $329 because the ninth-generation iPad has been discontinued, but the 10th-generation model has A14 chip instead of the older A13 chip. All of the iPad models can be updated with additional storage space, which increases the price. The high-end 2TB 13-inch iPad Pro, for example, is $2,299, and even more expensive with nano-texture glass and cellular connectivity.
Apple introduced a new Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil Pro to go along with the iPad Pro models. The iPad Pro and iPad Air can be ordered as of today.
Apple today unveiled the M4 chip, its newest system on a chip for the 2024 iPad Pro lineup.
Apple said that the M4 chip features a new up-to-10-core CPU of up to four performance cores and six efficiency cores. The M4 chip comes in two different models: the 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores (for 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro), and 10-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores (for 1TB and 2TB iPad Pro).
The M4 chip is built with second-generation 3nm technology and features a new display engine. It delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance than the M2 in the previous iPad Pro and four-times faster rendering performance.
For performance in gaming, the M4 chip features Dynamic Caching that helps significantly increases performance for demanding pro apps and games. It also enables hardware-accelerated ray tracing on iPad for the first time.
Finally, the M4 includes a Neural Engine that fuels accelerated AI workloads. Apple mentioned that this is the company's most powerful Neural Engine ever, capable of 38 trillion operations per second and helping users accomplish AI tasks quickly on the iPad Pro.
For more details about the 2024 iPad Pro, be sure to read our full post on the new tablets.
Apple's new iPad Pro models have different amounts of RAM based on storage capacity, with the higher-tier models offering double the memory.
The 256GB and 512GB iPad Pro models are equipped with 8GB RAM, while the 1TB and 2TB models have 16GB RAM. Both models offer 120GB/s memory bandwidth.
The M4 chips in the different storage tiers also vary, with the 256/512GB models offering a 9-core CPU and the 1TB/2TB models equipped with a 10-core CPU. Both models have 10-core GPUs and a 16-core Neural Engine.
Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model, but the 1TB variants cost $1,599 in the 11-inch size and $1,899 in the 13-inch size.
Apple's new iPad Pro models are available to order starting today, and will deliver to customers next week.
Apple's latest iPad Pro models are available with a matte nano-texture display option for the first time.
The nano-texture glass is designed for users who work in high-end, color-managed workflows, or challenging lighting conditions. It is etched at the nanometer scale to maintain image quality and contrast while scattering ambient light for reduced glare.
Nano-texture glass has only been available on the Pro Display XDR, iMac, and Studio Display so far, making this the first time that it has come to a touch-based device.
Customers can only configure the iPad Pro with nano-texture glass with 1TB and 2TB models for an additional cost of $100. With an 11-inch model, this brings the price to $1,699 or $2,099, and with a 13-inch model it brings the price to $1,999 or $2,399.
To go along with the new iPad Pro models that were introduced today, Apple debuted updated versions of both Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. The updated Logic Pro 2 software is "smarter than ever," delivering new experiences for songwriting, beat-making, producing, and mixing.
Logic Pro has new AI-based studio assistant features that help artists make music. Session Players expand the Drummer capabilities in Logic Pro, with Apple adding a new Bass Player and Keyboard Player, plus a Stem Splitter to extract work with individual parts of a single audio recording.
Stem Splitter is designed to allow artists to separate mixed audio into distinct parts: Drums, Bass, Vocals, and Other instruments. Separating tracks makes it easier to apply effects, add new parts, and change the mix.
"Logic Pro gives creatives everything they need to write, produce, and mix a great song, and our latest features take that creativity to a whole new level," said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple's senior director of Apps Worldwide Product Marketing. "Logic Pro's new AI-backed updates, combined with the unparalleled performance of iPad, Mac, and M-series Apple silicon, provide creative pros with the best music creation experience in the industry."
With a new ChromaGlow feature, users can dial in the perfect tone and choose from five different saturation styles to add ultrarealistic warmth, presence, and punch to tracks.
Logic Pro is available for the new iPad models and the Mac, and it is set to come out on May 13. The software is free for existing users, and $200 for new users.
Apple today discontinued the ninth-generation iPad, which was the final iPad model that it sold with a Lightning port. In addition, Apple lowered the price of the tenth-generation iPad, which now starts at $349 in the U.S. instead of $449.
The ninth-generation iPad started at $329 in the U.S., so the tenth-generation iPad is now much closer to that price point.
Despite the ninth-generation iPad being discontinued, the original Apple Pencil with a Lightning connector remains available for $99.
Apple's entire iPad lineup is now equipped with USB-C ports, excluding refurbished models.
Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced a new Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Pro models, with a thinner, lighter design.
Apple says the Magic Keyboard has been redesigned to be thinner and lighter, while maintaing the same floating design.
Two colors are available that match the new iPad Pro. New features include a function row with screen brightness controls, an aluminum palm rest, and a larger trackpad with haptic feedback. Apple claims that thanks to the trackpad, working on iPad Pro "feels just like using a MacBook." The new Magic Keyboard can be pre-ordered today and will be available starting Wednesday, May 15, with the 11-inch model priced at $299 and the 13-inch version costing $349.
Apple today introduced the Apple Pencil Pro with a new squeeze gesture, gyroscope, haptic feedback, Find My support, and more.
A new sensor in the Apple Pencil Pro allows users to squeeze the accessory to bring up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors. In addition, a new gyroscope allows users to rotate the Apple Pencil Pro for precise control of shaped pen and brush tools.
Equipped with a new haptic engine, the Apple Pencil Pro provides a light tap when users squeeze, use double-tap, or snap to a Smart Shape.
Apple Pencil Pro is the first Apple Pencil with support for the Find My app, which helps users find the accessory if it is misplaced.
Apple Pencil Pro pairs, charges, and is stored on the side of the newly-announced iPad Pro and iPad Air models, which feature a new magnetic interface. It is not compatible with any other iPad models.
In the U.S., the Apple Pencil Pro is priced at $129. It is available to order starting today, and launches Wednesday, May 15.
Apple today unveiled redesigned iPad Pro models featuring the M4 chip, Ultra Retina XDR OLED displays, a nano-texture display option, and more.
The new iPad Pro offers a considerably thinner design and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch display size options. The 11-inch model is 5.3mm thick and weighs less than a pound, while the 13-inch model is just 5.1mm thick and weighs a quarter pound less than its predecessor. Apple notes that this makes the new iPad Pro the thinnest Apple product ever. It features an improved thermal design thanks to graphite sheets in the main housing and copper in the Apple logo.
The iPad Pro's Ultra Retina XDR OLED display uses two panels in a tandem design to deliver even better fullscreen brightness of up to 1,000 nits for SDR and HDR, and 1,600 nits of peak HDR brightness. It delivers deeper, true blacks, more detail in shadows and low light, brighter highlights and improved luminance, and it is more responsive to content in motion.
The M4 chip is built with second-generation 3nm technology and features a new display engine, as well as hardware accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. It delivers up to 50% faster CPU performance than the M2 in the previous iPad Pro and four-times faster rendering performance.
The iPad Pro's 12-megapixel front-facing camera has been moved to the side of the device for an improved video calling experience. The rear-camera now supports ProRes video recording and Smart HDR 4. It also now features an Adaptive TrueTone flash for better document scanning.
The iPad Pro is available with a nano-texture display option for the first time. The device's enclosure is made 100% recycled aluminum and it comes in Silver and Space Black.
The 11-inch model starts at $999 and the 13-inch model starts at $1,299. It is available to order starting today and launches on Wednesday, May 15.
Apple at its "Let Loose" event today announced new M2-powered iPad Air models in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes with a new landscape FaceTime camera, AI features, and better sound quality with the larger model.
Apple says the iPad Air has been designed "to make features pioneered on iPad Pro at a more affordable price," with the brand new larger 13-inch model offering 30% more screen real estate than the 11-inch model.
The M2 chip features a faster 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU. When combined with faster memory bandwidth, the new iPad Air is nearly 50% faster than the previous iPad Air with M1 for a wide range of productivity and creative tasks, according to Apple. And compared to iPad Air with A14 Bionic, the new M2 model delivers up to 3x faster performance. Apple also claims that the 13-inch model delivers better sound quality with double the bass than the previous generation.
In addition, the new iPad Air supports Wi-Fi 6E, which provides up to 2x increased performance than the previous generation. It's also compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro, which features a new sensor in the barrel that can sense a user's squeeze, and brings up a tool palette to quickly switch tools, line weights, and colors, "all without interrupting the creative process," claims the company.
Apple is touting the new iPad Air as "an incredibly powerful device for artificial intelligence." Unlike the previous generation, the 12MP Ultra Wide FaceTime camera on the devices is located along the longest edge so that it captures video from a more central, horizontal position during video calls. The camera also features Center Stage, which uses machine learning to automatically keep everyone in the field of view.
The new iPad Air is nearly 50% faster than the previous iPad Air with M1, according to Apple. Compared to iPad Air with A14 Bionic, it provides 3x faster performance. Apple says the new models are also compatible with the latest Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, with Apple Pencil Hover support for greater precision.
The new iPad Air models feature an LCD Liquid Retina display, and both sizes come in several colors including new blue, new purple, Starlight and Space Grey, and a new 100% recycled aluminum enclosure.
"So many users — from students, to content creators, to small businesses, and more — love iPad Air for its performance, portability, and versatility, all at an affordable price. Today, iPad Air gets even better," said Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Product Marketing. "We're so excited to introduce the redesigned 11-inch and all-new 13-inch iPad Air, offering two sizes for the first time. With its combination of a brilliant Liquid Retina display, the phenomenal performance of the M2 chip, incredible AI capabilities, and its colorful, portable design with support for new accessories, iPad Air is more powerful and versatile than ever."
A new Smart Folio for iPad Air attaches magnetically and supports multiple viewing angles for greater flexibility. Available in charcoal gray, light violet, denim, and sage, the new Smart Folio also complements the finishes of the latest iPad Air.
The iPad Air is available starting with 128GB of storage, with more storage options including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Like the previous models, the iPad Air starts at $599, while the 13-inch device starts at $799. They can be ordered today, and shipping starts next week.
The event is being held online, with no in-person component at Apple Park, but there are media gatherings happening in cities such as New York and London. A live stream will be available on Apple's website, on YouTube, and in the Apple TV app.
Stay tuned for complete coverage of Apple's announcements.
Apple's "Let Loose" event kicks off today at the unusual time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and we're expecting to see an iPad-focused event with new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories, and perhaps some other announcements.
Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We will also be updating this article with live blog coverage and issuing Twitter updates through our @MacRumorsLive account as the event unfolds. Highlights from the event and separate news stories regarding today's announcements will go out through our @MacRumors account.
Apple's "Let Loose" virtual media event kicks off at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time today, an unusual time for an Apple event.
We know that some MacRumors readers who can't follow the event as it's being broadcast are interested in avoiding all of the announcements and waiting until the event video is available for on-demand viewing so as to experience it without already knowing the outcome.
For those individuals, we've posted this news story, which will be updated with a direct link to the presentation once it becomes available from Apple. No other news stories or announcements will be displayed alongside this story.
Apple's recent virtual events have been made available to view almost immediately following the conclusion of the broadcasts, and we expect similar timing for today's event.
Users waiting for the video to be posted are welcome to gather in the thread associated with this news story, and we ask that those who follow the events as they occur refrain from making any posts about Apple's announcements in this thread.
Apple canceled its Apple Car project in February 2024 and stopped all internal work on autonomous, electric vehicles. But the company still has its sights set on impacting the EV market, and Rivian could be the avenue for its ambitions, according to rumors out of Taiwan.
Apple canceled its "Project Titan" EV project earlier this year.
DigiTimes reports that Apple is "studying the possibility" of a partnership with Rivian, although this seems to be based on speculation within the supply chain, and what form such a collab would take remains a mystery.
The report notes that a sluggish EV market has left many startups struggling for survival, yet Rivian's delivery vehicle partnership with Amazon remains strong, and could even factor into Apple's interest. From the report:
"A partnership with Rivian might also indirectly involve Amazon, which could open the door to collaboration between Apple and Amazon in generative AI, the sources said."
The report links Apple’s generative AI ambitions with the rumor, tying it to innovations within the EV space such as AI smart voice and driving assistance. It's all very speculative.
Some sort of basic CarPlay integration could be fueling the chatter, and there could be nothing more behind it. It's worth noting that Rivian is also under market pressure to perform during the mass production phase of its latest fleet of midsize R2 and R3 cars, so this rumor could just be part of an attempt to revive shareholder interest. On that basis, it would be wise to quell expectations until other reports corroborate the claim.
