What you should know
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- Apple is introducing new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2024) models with OLED displays, marking the first time Apple tablets will feature this technology.
- To accommodate consumers interested in a large-sized iPad without the high price tag of the OLED iPad Pro, Apple is adding a 12.9-inch model to the iPad Air line, which will continue to use an LCD panel.
- Both the iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air (2024) models will include landscape-oriented FaceTime cameras, upgraded chips (M2 for the iPad Air, M3 for the iPad Pro), and the iPad Pro line may support MagSafe wireless charging.
- According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, new iPad models are expected to launch the week of May 6th, following a delay due to issues with OLED panel production. Apple plans to announce these new models through a press release rather than hosting a large event.
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Full Story
Oh boy, it feels like ages, doesn’t it? We’ve all been on pins and needles, waiting for Apple to roll out its latest marvels. I’m talking about the new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2024) models. Yep, you heard that right. These are the first Apple tablets to flaunt OLED displays. Fancy, huh?
But here’s the kicker. Thanks to the fancy OLED tech, the price tag on these new iPad Pro tablets, especially the 12.9-inch beast, is expected to skyrocket. Apple, in its infinite wisdom, saw this coming a mile away. They didn’t want fans of the larger screen to miss out just because of a few extra bucks. So, what did they do? They added a 12.9-inch model to the iPad Air line this year. And yes, it sits right next to the traditional 10.9-inch unit.
Makes sense, right? The iPad Air is pretty much the iPad Pro’s sibling from another mister. By throwing a 12.9-inch iPad Air into the mix, Apple’s letting buyers have their cake and eat it too. You get most of the iPad Pro features, the screen size of your dreams, and a lighter hit to your wallet. Why? Because the iPad Air (2024) sticks with an LCD panel, making it way cheaper than its 12.9-inch OLED iPad Pro (2024) counterpart. Oh, and both the iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air (2024) are getting a landscape-oriented FaceTime camera and beefier chips (M2 for the Air, M3 for the Pro). Rumor has it, the new iPad Pro might even support MagSafe wireless charging. Neat, huh?
Now, let’s shift gears for a sec. A couple of weeks back, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, practically an Apple oracle, hinted that new iPad models were on the horizon. We all marked our calendars for March, then April, and now, it seems May is the magic month. Why the wait, you ask? Well, it turns out the folks making the OLED panels for the new iPad Pro models hit a few snags. But, according to Gurman, these shiny new tablets are expected to land the week of May 6th. Just yesterday, he dropped another hint in his Power On newsletter, pointing to a looming launch. How? Well, it seems the current iPad Air (2022) stocks are dwindling in stores, a classic Apple move before they unleash something new. Interestingly, iPad Pro shipments haven’t slowed down, which could mean Apple’s either got a surplus to clear, or they plan to keep the iPad Pro (2022) around as a budget-friendly option post-OLED launch.
And get this – Apple’s not making a big to-do with an event or anything. They’re keeping it low-key with just a press release to announce the new iPads. Classic Apple, always keeping us on our toes.
