Apple did not update a single iPad last year, which is why 2024 will be all about major iPad upgrades, starting with the iPad Pro. This is expected to have an M3 chip, MagSafe and a modified design with OLED.
There have been rumors for some time about adding OLED screens to Apple’s iPad line. According to the Korean website The Elec the iPad Pro would make the switch to OLED, including the larger model. This does come at the expense of the price. Currently, all iPad models have an LCD screen; except for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, which has a display with MicroLED.
Custom design for iPad Pro
Most likely, the new generation iPad Pro will have a modified design. Don’t expect a brand new design, but rather adjustments to the current model.
This includes thinner screen edges, slightly larger display, thinner housing and possibly also a relocation of the TrueDepth camera at the front. In the code of iPadOS 17.4 (beta) shows that these may be placed in the horizontal position. It is currently unclear whether Apple will use a notch (notch in the screen), just like on the MacBook Pro.
OLED display for iPad Pro
Currently, the 11-inch iPad Pro has an LCD Liquid Retina display and the 12.9-inch model has a Liquid Retina XDR display made of miniLED. According to rumors, both models will make the switch to OLED and a slightly larger display.
An OLED screen is a type of display that uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) to produce images. Unlike traditional LCD screens, which require a backlight to produce images, OLED screens produce their own light when current flows through the diodes.
OLED screens have several advantages over traditional LCD screens. For example, OLED screens have higher contrast because black pixels produce no light at all, while bright pixels are much brighter than LCD screens. OLED screens also have a wider viewing angle, a faster response time and consume less energy.
miniLED is a great alternative, because it is better than LCD, but the contrast is smaller. Apple will most likely use the new generation of OLED, which is more energy efficient and has less chance of burn-in, even though this is less interesting for tablets and smartphones.
Thinnest iPad Pro ever (new)
The thickness of the iPad is also expected to be adjusted, resulting in the thinnest iPad Pro ever. Below are the dimensions according to current rumors.
- 11-inch iPad Pro (current): 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 5.9mm
- 11.1-inch iPad Pro (new): 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.1mm
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (current): 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.4mm
- 13.1-inch iPad Pro (new): 281.5mm x 215.5mm x 5.0mm
Extra powerful thanks to M3 chip
Last fall, Apple unveiled the M3 chip for Mac and it is expected that the new generation of iPad Pro will also use it. Like the A17 Pro for iPhone 15 Pro (Max), the M3 chip is designed using a 3nm manufacturing process. This is an advanced manufacturing technology used to make semiconductor chips. A 3nm process means that the transistor gate is only 3 nanometers wide, this article explains what is so special about it.
Thanks to the M3 chip, the iPad Pro has great computing power and can complete professional tasks in no time. Below are the specifications of the processor:
- 8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores
- 10-core GPU
- 8 GB RAM on models with 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB storage
- 16 GB RAM on models with 1 TB or 2 TB storage
- 16-core Neural Engine
- Ray tracing with hardware acceleration
- 100 GB/s memory bandwidth
- Media engine: H.264, HEVC, ProRes and ProRes RAW with hardware acceleration
- ProRes encoding and decoding engine
Support for MagSafe
It has been rumored for some time that Apple plans to add wireless charging to the iPad Pro. The iPad Pro 2024 may receive support for MagSafe, Apple’s wireless charging protocol. The Apple logo on the back of the iPad may become larger and made of glass. Behind this, Apple can then put the charging coil and magnets for the MagSafe charger.
New iPad accessories
Bloomberg reports that Apple may introduce new Magic Keyboards for iPad. These would have a sturdier aluminum frame, making Apple’s tablet look more like a MacBook.
Apple Pencil 3
There is also talk of a new Apple Pencil 3rd generation. In the code of iPadOS 17.4 (beta) shows that it may receive support for the Find My app, just like the Apple TV Remote. It is not yet known if other functions will be added. Previously there was talk of a shiny design with interchangeable tips.
Price increase due to OLED
The cause of the price increase for the new screens is, you can guess, higher material costs and a new production process. According to the rumor, Apple is now negotiating with Samsung and LG Display about the price of the panels.
Because a new production process has to be started, the price per panel is higher. For example, two emission layers are used, doubling the brightness and quadrupling the lifespan of the screen. In addition, a new hybrid OLED structure ensures that the panel becomes thinner.
Finally, The Elec also reports the use of LTPO Thin Film Transistors (TFT) at low temperatures. This should ensure that switching individual pixels off and on is more energy efficient.
Due to all these factors, the price of the iPad Pro will increase. The Korean website thinks the price will increase from $100-150 to $270-350. It is likely that Apple will pass the price on to consumers and that the iPad will increase in price by $100 to $150.
Availability iPad Pro
The new generation 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro are expected in the spring of 2024 and will likely be unveiled later this month. The price of the new iPad Pro will undoubtedly rise. The current suggested retail price is €1069 for the 11-inch entry-level model and €1469 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This is expected to increase by approximately €150.