Apple’s latest iPads are here. The lineup includes four new tablets. Two iPad Pros have OLED screens and a new M4 chip. The iPad Air is refreshed with an M2 chip, and there’s a larger Air model with a 13-inch display.
A new Apple Pencil Pro stylus has been introduced. It supports haptic feedback. The Magic Keyboard has been updated to resemble a MacBook.
These updates come after a gap of over a year. The last iPads were unveiled in October 2022.
Pre-orders for the new gear are open at Apple’s online store and other retailers. The devices will be fully available from May 15. We’ll be testing everything in the coming days.
If you’re certain about upgrading, we’ll outline what’s new and your purchasing options. Here’s what you need to know about pre-ordering the new iPad Air, iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard.
11-inch iPad Air (M2)
The 11-inch iPad Air (M2) is now available. It starts at $599 for the 128GB model. This is the same starting price as the previous model but with double the base storage. Models with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB are available for $699, $899, and $1,099 respectively. Cellular models start at $749. The color options are Blue, Purple, Starlight, and Space Gray. Orders can be placed at Apple.com or retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and Walmart.
This update might seem minor. The design remains the same, but the processor has been upgraded to the M2 chip. This won’t drastically change the performance, but it’s an improvement. The Air should be one of the best-performing tablets in its price range.
The new Airs have their front-facing camera on the landscape edge. This makes video calls easier. The new tablets also support the Apple Pencil “hover” feature.
The device still has a 60Hz LCD, a Touch ID sensor, a non-Thunderbolt USB-C port, and a 10-hour battery life. However, it now supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The previous Air was considered the best iPad for most people. We expect this new model to be a good balance between the pricier iPad Pros and the less-featured 10th-gen iPad. The latter is now Apple’s entry-level model, priced at $349. The older 10.2-inch iPad has been phased out, making the cheapest tablet $20 more expensive. This marks the end of Apple’s older iPad design, including the home button and headphone jack.
13-inch iPad Air (M2)
The iPad Air has a significant new addition. A 13-inch model, similar to the iPhone 15 Plus, has been introduced. This is a more affordable option for those wanting a large device, but not willing to pay for a Pro model. The device starts at $799 for 128GB, with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB models available for $899, $1,099, and $1,299 respectively. This is considerably less than the 13-inch Pro. Cellular models start at $949.
The 13-inch iPad Air is essentially the same as the 11-inch model, just larger. It’s equally thin at 0.24 inches but weighs slightly more at 1.36 pounds. Apple claims it can reach up to 600 nits of brightness. The device can be ordered at Apple’s online store, Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and Walmart, among others.
11-inch iPad Pro (M4)
The 11-inch iPad Pro (M4) is now available. Starting at $999 for a 256GB model, it’s $200 more than its predecessor. However, the base model now offers double the storage. Models with 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB are available for $1,199, $1,599, and $1,999 respectively. Cellular models start at $1,199. Pre-orders can be placed at Apple.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H. It will be available on May 15. Color options are Silver or Space Black.
The new Pros are the first iPads with OLED displays. This should provide deeper blacks, richer colors, and wider viewing angles. The 11-inch Pro, previously using an LCD panel, benefits significantly from this upgrade. The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother motion than the iPad Air. Apple claims a peak HDR brightness of up to 1,600 nits.
For the first time, the iPad Pros can be configured with a nano-texture glass display to reduce glare. This option, adding an extra $100, is only available for the 1TB and 2TB models.
The switch to OLED has allowed Apple to slim down the device. The new 11-inch model is 0.21 inches thin and weighs 0.98 pounds.
Internally, the new iPad Pros are the first to ship with Apple’s M4 chip. This upgraded version of the 3nm processor is found in Apple’s latest MacBooks and iMac. Apple claims the new iPad Pros are up to four times faster than the previous generation.
The 1TB and 2TB versions of the new iPad Pros have 16GB of RAM and a 10-core CPU, compared to 8GB and a 9-core unit in the lower-capacity models.
Like the new iPad Airs, the M4 iPad Pros have their selfie cameras on the landscape edge. Other features include a faster Thunderbolt port, Face ID support, a four-speaker setup, similar main and selfie cameras, a LiDAR scanner, and more. The ultrawide camera of the previous model has been removed. While it’s unlikely that the new Pros can replace most people’s laptops, they are the most premium iPads available.
13-inch iPad Pro (M4)
The 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) shares many features with the 11-inch model. The switch to OLED has leveled the display tech between the two. Your choice depends on your preferred screen size. The 12.9-inch Pro, like the 11-inch version, has slimmed down from 0.25 inches to 0.2 inches. The weight has also reduced from 1.5 pounds to 1.28 pounds.
However, the price has increased. The 13-inch Pro starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model. This is a $200 increase for double the default storage. Models with 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB are available for $1,499, $1,899, and $2,299 respectively. Additional costs apply to cellular and nano-texture glass models. Pre-orders can be placed at Apple.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H, among others.
Apple Pencil Pro
Apple has introduced a new stylus, the Apple Pencil Pro, along with the new tablets. Priced at $129, the same as the second-gen Pencil, it offers new features. A squeeze gesture brings up a tool palette. It also supports haptic feedback and Find My Device tracking. A “barrel roll” feature detects rotation using a built-in gyroscope.
However, the Pencil Pro complicates the Pencil lineup. It’s only compatible with the new iPad Pros and iPad Airs. Apple will continue selling its other three styluses. The new tablets are not listed as fully compatible with the second-gen Pencil, only the Pencil Pro and a lesser USB-C model.
The Pencil Pro is available for pre-order at Apple’s online store, Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H. It will be released on May 15.
Magic Keyboards
Finally, Apple has released new Magic Keyboards. They are designed specifically for the M4 iPad Pros. The keyboards resemble MacBook keyboards, featuring an aluminum palm rest, a full-function row, and a larger trackpad with haptic feedback support. The 11-inch model costs $299, while the 13-inch version is priced at $349. You can place your orders at Apple.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H.
