Apple’s special event was a game-changer for the iPad line-up, with the introduction of four new iPads, one model discontinued, and one with a significant price drop. The star of the show was the iPad Pro, featuring the next-gen M4 processor instead of debuting on the Mac. The keynote lasted around 40 minutes and completely revamped Apple’s iPad range, leaving only the iPad mini untouched.
The ninth-generation iPad, with Touch ID on the front glass, was discontinued and replaced by the 10th-generation model with a higher price tag. However, Apple surprised customers with a $100 price drop, making it a compelling purchase at $349. Meanwhile, the new iPad Air received a screen size upgrade, with an additional 13-inch option never seen before. The iPad Air now sports the M2 processor, the same as the latest iMac models.
In the U.S., the new 11-inch iPad Air is priced the same as the previous model at $599, but with better performance and increased storage from 64GB to 128GB. UK customers are in luck, as the price of the previous model at £669 has dropped to £599. The larger 13-inch iPad Air starts at $799 or £799 in the UK, both offering 128GB of storage.
The new iPad Pro models come in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, featuring a sleek design that is remarkably thin – the thinnest iPad and Apple product ever. Both models come with OLED screens with Tandem OLED technology, providing greater brightness. The highlight of the iPad Pro is the introduction of the Apple M4 chip, making it AI-ready and setting a new standard for Apple’s processors. The introduction of the M4 chip on the iPad Pro before the Mac is a clear indication of Apple’s focus on the iPad and AI technology.
Apple also introduced new accessories for the iPad Pro, including the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. The Magic Keyboard comes in two sizes, offering a top-notch keyboard experience similar to the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. The Apple Pencil Pro, priced at $129, includes a new squeeze function and rolling feature to change the orientation of the brush stroke. All the new products are set to go on sale next week, offering customers a new and improved iPad experience with the latest technology and accessories.
