In 2024, substantial changes are on the horizon for the iPad Pro lineup, encompassing both upgraded screens and advanced chipsets. This overhaul is notably overdue, given the relatively minor updates that these premium tablets have undergone since 2018.
Renowned tech analyst Mark Gurman, renowned for his reliable insights shared through the Power On newsletter at Bloomberg, has reported that Apple aims to breathe new life into a somewhat stagnant tablet market. The company aspires to reignite enthusiasm for its priciest iPads through a series of enhancements.
Scheduled for release in the first half of the upcoming year, Apple plans to unveil two fresh models, each boasting OLED displays. This shift has been the subject of speculation for quite some time now. Currently, the 11-inch iPad Pro features a standard LED screen, while the 12.9-inch version employs mini-LED technology.
The dimensions of the 11-inch model will remain unchanged, while the 12.9-inch variant will undergo a slight transformation, becoming a 13-inch model. Although the existing iPad Pro screens are of exceptional quality, the integration of OLED technology promises even sharper and more vibrant visuals, along with enhanced color accuracy.
Internally, these tablets are expected to be powered by the forthcoming M3 chips from Apple. This evolution is logical, given that the prevailing models are driven by the M2 chip. This transition should result in heightened performance, offering users even greater speed and an expanded array of features.
Gurman’s insights also encompass a new iteration of the Magic Keyboard, a peripheral that has not seen updates since its inaugural release in 2020. The forthcoming 2024 version is anticipated to sport a larger trackpad, contributing to a design that aims to align the iPad Pro more closely with the aesthetics of a laptop.
Apple, like many other manufacturers, has experienced a decline in tablet sales, as noted by Gurman. This decline has been attributed to the combination of minimal updates to the iPad, a somewhat perplexing product lineup (as evidenced by the comparison between the iPad Air 5 and the iPad Pro 2022), and underwhelming improvements to the iPadOS operating system.
It remains to be seen whether these newly introduced OLED iPad Pros will usher in a noteworthy shift when they hit the market next year. Meanwhile, attention is keenly directed towards Apple’s anticipated September event, where unveilings of the iPhone 15 and the Apple Watch 9 are eagerly anticipated.