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.
It's an iPhone 17 rumor frenzy this week courtesy of Jeff Pu, an analyst who has sources within Apple's supply chain in Asia.
While the iPhone 16 lineup is still months away from being announced, rumors about the two-generations-away iPhone lineup typically begin to surface about a year-and-a-half before launch. For example, almost exactly a year ago, we learned that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will have larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively.
12GB of RAM
In a research note with investment firm Haitong, Pu said the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max will be equipped with 12GB of RAM. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Pro models have 8GB of RAM, and the iPhone 16 Pro models are also expected to have 8GB of RAM. The increase would contribute to improved performance for multitasking on the iPhone.
The alleged RAM amounts across the iPhone 17 lineup:
iPhone 17: 8GB
iPhone 17 Slim: 8GB
iPhone 17 Pro: 12GB
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 12GB
How that compares to the iPhone 15 lineup:
iPhone 15: 6GB
iPhone 15 Plus: 6GB
iPhone 15 Pro: 8GB
iPhone 15 Pro Max: 8GB
Narrower Dynamic Island on Pro Max
Pu said the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a "much narrowed Dynamic Island" as a result of the device adopting a smaller "metalens" for the Face ID system.
This would be the first size reduction for the Dynamic Island since its iPhone 14 Pro debut.
Apple has started building its own AI servers that use the M2 Ultra chip, Haitong analyst Jeff Pu reports.
Pu provided the analysis based on supply chain checks in a new note to investors seen by MacRumors. Foxconn is said to currently be assembling Apple AI servers that contain the M2 Ultra, with plans to assemble AI servers powered by the M4 chip in late 2025. Last month, a reputable source on Weibo said that Apple was working on processors for its own AI servers made with TSMC's 3nm process, targeting mass production by the second half of 2025, which may line up with this report about M4-powered AI servers.
Apple's decision to build its own AI server is reflective of the company's ongoing strategy to vertically integrate its supply chain. Apple will likely use its own chips to enhance the performance of its data centers and future AI tools that rely on the cloud.
While Apple is rumored to be prioritizing on-device processing for many of its upcoming AI tools, it is inevitable that some operations will have to occur in the cloud. By the time M4-based servers could be operational in data centers, Apple's new AI strategy should be well underway.
In line with broader industry expectations, Pu also expects Apple to announce on-device AI features at WWDC in June, such as audio recording summarization, photo and video editing, and live translation. While the iPhone 16 lineup will tout a range of AI features, 2025's iPhone 17 models will apparently be more focused AI devices.
Apple's first foldable devices will reach mass production in 2025 and 2026, according to Haitong analyst Jeff Pu.
In a note to investors seen by MacRumors, Pu said that foldable devices are increasingly visible in Apple's supply chain with accelerating progress. The company is expected to release a large-screen foldable iPad or MacBook to kick-off its foray into the product category before launching a higher volume foldable iPhone.
One Apple foldable with a 20.3-inch display will apparently start production in late 2025, which is sooner than previously expected. This time frame is said to be supported by information from Korean display makers, as well as American and Taiwanese hinge manufacturers.
Apple's first foldable iPhone will allegedly feature a 7.9-inch or 8.3-inch display. The company may launch two foldables with these two display size options, or it may opt for a single display size option only. The foldable iPhone could form a new ultra-high end smartphone line for Apple. The device is currently scheduled to reach mass production late 2026, a year after the 20.3-inch foldable.
Do you sometimes struggle to maintain focus while you're working, or find it difficult to unwind and relax at the end of the day? Believe it or not, your iPhone could help with that. Keep reading to learn how.
If you are looking to minimize distractions when you focus on something, or just want to zone out after a hard day's work, it's well worth checking out the Background Sounds feature on your iPhone or iPad. Whether you are at home or in a public place, you can play calming sounds with just a few taps on your device to help you concentrate or rest.
In iOS and iPadOS, Apple's Background Sounds include balanced, bright, and dark noise, as well as natural sounds like ocean, rain, and stream. All of the sounds can be set to play in the background to mask unwanted environmental or external noise, and the sounds mix into or duck under other audio and system sounds, so you don't have to drown out what's important to you.
Enable Background Sounds on iPhone and iPad
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Tap Accessibility.
Under "Hearing," tap Audio & Visual.
Tap Background Sounds, then tap the switch to turn on Background Sounds on the next screen.
Tap Sound to choose a sound effect. Choose from Balanced Noise, Bright Noise, Dark Noise, Ocean, Rain, and Stream.
Your device will need to download individual sound effects when you play them for the first time, so make sure you have an internet connection, but after that you can play the background sound wherever you are.
Note that the last screen in the steps optionally lets you set the volume of the sound, and includes an additional option to automatically stop the sound when you lock your device.
Accessibility Shortcut Access
Once you have downloaded the background sounds, you can quickly start and stop the audio via an Accessibility Shortcut. Here's how to set one up.
Set Up the Accessibility Shortcut
Tap through to Settings ➝ Accessibility.
Select Accessibility Shortcut near the bottom of the menu.
Tap Background Sounds to select it. You can also drag the three lines icon at the far right to change the order in which it appears in the shortcuts menu.
You can triple click your iPhone's Side button to access the Accessibility Shortcut at any time. Alternatively, you can add an Accessibility Shortcut button to your device's Control Center in the following way.
Access Accessibility Shortcut
Tap through to Settings ➝ Control Center.
Find Accessibility Shortcuts under the "More Controls" list and then tap the entry to include it in Control Center.
Once that's done, swipe from the top-right corner of your screen to bring up Control Center, then simply tap Accessibility Shortcut button and then tap Background Sounds to turn the audio on or off.
Background sounds are also available on Macs running macOS Ventura or later. Check out our dedicated how-to article for all the details.
Apple's iPhone 17 Plus or "iPhone 17 Slim" will feature a 6.55-inch display, according to Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst Ross Young.
In a post to subscribers on X (formerly Twitter), Young added to a report first shared yesterday by Haitong International Securities Jeff Pu. Pu claimed that the iPhone 17 Plus, rumored to launch in 2025, could be replaced by an "iPhone 17 Slim."
Pu said that the iPhone 17 Slim will feature a 6.6-inch display, which is a slight reduction on the iPhone 14, 15, and 16 Plus, which feature a 6.69-inch OLED display. Now, Young has clarified that the device will feature a 6.55-inch display. This is a reduction of two percent over the previous, current, and next-generation models.
A smaller display would help differentiate the larger iPhone 17 model from the iPhone 17 Pro Max, while remaining larger than the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro, which are expected to feature 6.1- and 6.3-inch displays, respectively.
While the iPhone 16 series is still months away from launching, an early rumor about an all-new iPhone 17 model has now surfaced.
In a research note with investment firm Haitong this week, analyst Jeff Pu said Apple is planning a so-called "iPhone 17 Slim" model that would replace the Plus model in the lineup. Pu said this model will feature around a 6.6-inch display, a slimmer design, an A18 or A19 chip, 8GB of RAM, a 24-megapixel front camera, and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera.
More specifically, display industry analyst Ross Young said this iPhone 17 model will have a 6.55-inch display. For comparison, the iPhone 15 Plus has a 6.7-inch display.
Pu expects the iPhone 17 Slim to have an aluminum chassis, rather than a titanium casing like the Pro models. He expects the device to have some external design changes, but he did not share any specific details.
Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 17 lineup in September 2025, so some of these reported features could change.
A reference to an unreleased "Apple Pencil Pro" has been spotted in the source code for Apple's homepage in Japan. We have independently confirmed that the code exists, but it would be unsurprising if Apple removes it after it was discovered.
This finding suggests that an Apple Pencil Pro could be announced at the Apple Event tomorrow. However, given the code does not appear on Apple's homepage in the U.S. or other countries, there is a chance that the Japanese website made a translation error.
A computer translation of the source code:
Folded green, yellow, orange and blue paper forms the Apple logo. Inside the logo, you can see the creator's hand holding the Apple Pencil Pro and drawing.
It is likely that the Apple Pencil Pro would replace the second-generation Apple Pencil, released in 2018. Other models available include the Apple Pencil with USB-C, and the original Apple Pencil from 2015, which is expected to be discontinued once Apple stops selling the ninth-generation iPad with a Lightning connector.
Apple today updated Apple.com with a teaser for tomorrow's event, adding an interactive erasing feature that seems to hint at a refreshed version of the Apple Pencil.
Hovering over the Apple logo and moving the mouse allows the current artwork to be erased and replaced with a new logo design. Apple created a total of six logos for the May 7 "Let Loose" event, and the interactive eraser cycles through those options.
The event is expected to focus on new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, but rumors suggest the iPads will also be accompanied by an overhauled Apple Pencil and a refreshed version of the Magic Keyboard.
Code in iOS 17.5 mentions an Apple Pencil with a "squeeze" gesture, so it is possible that the new model that's coming will have a hardware-based erase option enabled with a squeeze. The current Apple Pencil models do not have a universal erase feature that works across apps, and adding such an option would likely be popular with users.
Throughout May, there will also be updates to current Apple Arcade games like Hello Kitty Island Adventure, WHAT THE CAR?, and Ridiculous Fishing EX, with further updates to come in June.
Accessible through the App Store, Apple Arcade is a subscription-based service that provides access to hundreds of games across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Vision Pro, all free of ads and in-app purchases. The service received its first price increase last year, with U.S. pricing rising from $4.99 to $6.99 per month.
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below.
"The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its press release introducing a new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch.
Below, we have recapped everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas so far.
Web Distribution
Starting with the second beta of iOS 17.5, eligible developers are able to distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU directly on the web, instead of through the App Store or an alternative app marketplace.
"Web Distribution" is limited to larger developers based in the EU. To qualify for this distribution method, Apple says the developer must be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more, and have an app that had more than one million annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year.
"Web Distribution" builds upon the alternative app marketplaces that Apple already allows on the iPhone in the EU starting with iOS 17.4. Apple has made these app-related changes to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act.
Quartiles
iOS 17.5 includes a fun addition for Apple News+ subscribers: a daily word game called Quartiles.
Quartiles tasks you with combining tiles to form words and earn points. Each puzzle starts with a grid of 20 tiles, and words can be formed with one to four tiles. A quartile is a four-tile word, and if you find all five in each puzzle, you earn a 40-point bonus. The website Gadget Hacks shared a walkthrough of the game with more details.
Quartiles is the third puzzle game included with an Apple News+ subscription, alongside Crossword and Crossword Mini. Starting with the iOS 17.5 beta, all three games integrate with Game Center to display leaderboards.
On an iPhone updated to the iOS 17.5 beta, Quartiles can be found in the Apple News app under the Following tab → Puzzles. The game is also available on the iPad and Mac starting with the iPadOS 17.5 and macOS 14.5 betas.
Apple News+ is available in the U.S., Australia, Canada, and the U.K., but the puzzle games seem to be limited to the U.S. and Canada for now.
Repair Mode
iOS 17.5 introduces a "Repair State" option that lets an iPhone be sent in for service without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock.
Color-Changing Apple Podcasts Widget
While listening to a podcast on the iOS 17.5 beta, the background color of the Apple Podcasts widget changes to match the podcast's cover art. This feature was first added in the iOS 17.4 beta, but it was removed before that update was released.
As noted by Aaron Perris, MDM solutions can enforce an iOS beta version during Automated Device Enrollment starting with the iOS 17.5 beta.
Code Changes
Battery Health Menu for Future iPads
The first iPadOS 17.5 beta added several new references to a Battery Health menu on the iPad, but the feature is not actually visible yet. The menu is expected to show an iPad battery's maximum remaining capacity and charge cycle count.
A sample of the code strings added in the iPadOS 17.5 beta:
"iPad must be regularly used while not connected to power to show maximum capacity."
"This is the number of times iPad has used your battery's capacity."
"The iPad battery is performing as expected."
"iPad batteries, like all rechargeable batteries, have a limited lifespan and may eventually need to be serviced or replaced."
"The original battery was designed to retain X capacity at X cycles under ideal conditions. Actual battery performance depends on a number of variables, including how iPad is used and charged regularly. The one-year warranty includes service for defective batteries in addition to rights provided under local consumer laws."
A new Apple Pencil is rumored to launch alongside updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models this month. Apple refers to the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil released last year as the third-generation Apple Pencil in iOS code, so the fourth-generation model would be a new version that would likely succeed the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Additional code in the iOS 17.5 beta suggests that the Apple Pencil could gain a "squeeze" gesture for certain actions, and haptic feedback is also expected.
Third-Party Item Tracker Alerts
Apple and Google last year jointly announced a proposed industry specification to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of individuals. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-like "Found Moving With You" alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which turns out to be iOS 17.5.
The first iOS 17.5 beta added references to alerts for third-party item trackers. For example: "You can disable this item and stop it from sharing its location with the owner. To do this, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item."
Tile, Chipolo, Samsung, Eufy, and Pebblebee all expressed support for the industry specification, according to Apple's announcement last year.
Amazon has new all-time low prices on Apple's 15-inch M3 MacBook Air today, starting at $1,149.99 for the 256GB model. In order to see these discounts you'll need to clip an on-page coupon and then head to the checkout screen.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
You can also get the 8GB RAM/512GB model for $1,349.99 and the 16GB RAM/512GB model for $1,549.99, both of which are $149 off their original prices. These computers just debuted in March 2024, featuring faster M3 chips, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina displays, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, six-speaker sound system, two USB-C ports, a MagSafe charging port, and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Note: You won't see the deal price until checkout.
There are also a few 13-inch M3 MacBook Air models on sale at Amazon, including the 256GB model for $999.00 and the 512GB model for $1,199.00, which are $100 discounts. Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.
Apple today announced a new Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop Apple Watch band, watch face, and wallpaper.
The band features a fluorescent design inspired by multiple pride flags with a laser-etched lug that reads "PRIDE 2024." Black, Hispanic, and Latin communities, as well as those impacted by HIV/AIDS, are represented on the band by the black and brown colors, while transgender and non-binary individuals and represented by the pink, light blue, and white colors.
The band is accompanied by a new Pride Radiance watch face and wallpaper for iOS and iPadOS, in which beams of light glow against a dark background and stack on top of each other. On the Apple Watch, the colors trace each numeral of the watch face and react in real time as the wearer moves their wrist based on gyroscope input. On the iPhone and iPad, beams of color spell out "Pride" and dynamically move when the user unlocks the device. For the first time, the Pride watch face and wallpapers can be customized to show specific colors representing LGBTQ+ communities.
The new braided Solo Loop will be available starting May 22. The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpaper will be available "soon" with the release of watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5.
Note: Due to the political or social nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Political News forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.
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