Apple has released a new version of its thinnest product ever, the iPad Pro.
The new device is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, but comes with a new M4 chip which means it’s more powerful than many of Apple’s Macs.
And it comes with a brand new kind of display, an OLED screen that Apple calls “Ultra Retina XDR.” It will come in the smaller as well as the larger iPad Pro – unlike before – and Apple will also offer a “nanotextured glass” option that reduces reflections and glare.
Apple said the power of the new display as well as the tablet’s smaller size meant it needed a new chip. It will come in the form of the M4 – despite the fact that Apple recently updated its Macs to the M3 generation.
The new chip allows for 50 percent faster CPU performance than the previous iPad Pro, and can deliver the same performance using half the energy.
Apple focused specifically on the “Neural Engine” part of the new chip, which is aimed at AI tasks. While Apple has received some criticism from its competitors for failing to focus on artificial intelligence despite intensive marketing, it said it has actually been leading the market by offering dedicated AI hardware in its chips.
The new iPad Pro comes with double the storage of the existing iPad Pro. Its price starts at $999 for the smaller version and $1,299 for the larger 12.9-inch display.
Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil Pro, priced at $129. That stylus can be rotated, it includes a haptic feedback feature so it can vibrate when pressed, and it now supports Find My if it’s lost.
It also revealed a new keyboard case, which it said has been completely redesigned to be “thinner and even lighter.” It includes a function row and a new trackpad, and Apple hardware engineering boss John Ternes said that “the whole experience feels like using a MacBook”.
Apple chief executive Tim Cook claimed that the announcements were part of the biggest day for the iPad since it was first released in 2009.
The new iPad Pro was released along with an updated version of the iPad Air. Apple has also updated video editing app Final Cut Pro as well as music production software Logic Pro.
Analysts noted that the updates came not only after Apple neglected its iPad line-up, but also after sales slowed in its latest results. He said that this could also be a step towards laptops completely replacing the iPad.
“The new line-up includes significant improvements that will appeal to a wide range of users, consumers and businesses alike. Importantly, this comes at a time when existing iPad owners will be looking to upgrade,” said Paolo Pescatore, analyst at PP Foresight.
“Whether it’s all-in-one Macs or more portable touch screens, there is now a clear gap at the high end, offering options for those who want a larger screen and more or less processing power.
“This is an important moment as Apple looks to give this segment a big boost amid falling quarterly sales year-on-year. It also represents the last step in eliminating the laptop altogether, given the new features and multitasking capabilities.