New iPads from Apple
What there was to see at the new May keynote
Apple has introduced, among other things, two new iPad Pros.
©Apple
As expected, Apple focused on new iPads at its keynote. Here is an overview of the fresh models.
The latest presentation from Cupertino, California, on May 7th was dominated by several new ones iPad models. Apple boss Tim Cook (63) promised full-bodiedly that it would be “the biggest day for the iPad” since its introduction. The group focused primarily on revised versions of the iPad Air and iPad Pro.
iPad Air: Two sizes, four colors
The new iPad Air will be available in two sizes – 11-inch and 13-inch variants. With a thickness of 6.1 millimeters each, it weighs around 460 grams or just under 620 grams, depending on the size. Powered by the M2 chip, it is said to perform almost 50 percent faster than its predecessor in numerous tasks.
So-called “Liquid Retina Displays” are installed, which have a resolution of 2,360 x 1,640 or 2,732 x 2,048 pixels. According to the company, the stereo speakers used should also boast twice as much bass. What is most striking about the newly designed device at first glance is the ultra-wide-angle front camera with 12 megapixels, which has now been positioned on the long side.
Additional accessories such as the “Magic Keyboard”, the Apple Pencil and a new Apple Pencil Pro are supported. The latter should score points with fresh functions and can also be found with the “Where is?” app.
The new iPad Air can be pre-ordered now in the colors “Space Grey”, “Blue”, “Polarstern” and “Violet” and will be available from May 15th. Depending on the available storage space selected, the 11-inch model costs from 699 euros (869 euros for Wi-Fi + Cellular), the 13-inch version starts at 949 euros (1,119 euros for Wi-Fi + Cellular). The new Apple Pencil Pro costs 149 euros and will also be available from May 15th.
Ipad Pro: Completely new displays and an M4 chip
The highlight of the presentation was the new iPad Pro – the “next chapter” for the “impossibly thin” device, as the keynote said. The Pro also comes in 11-inch and 13-inch versions and is the thinnest Apple product ever released. Available in silver and space black, the smaller iPad Pro is only 5.3 millimeters thick. The larger version only measures 5.1 millimeters. At around 445 grams and around 580 grams, the devices are also slightly lighter than the Air models. On the equally freshly designed tablets, the ultra-wide-angle front camera with 12 megapixels is once again moved to the long side.
The two biggest innovations are the built-in chip and the screens used. The “Ultra Retina XDR display” of the Pro models offers 2,420 x 1,668 or 2,752 x 2,064 pixels and for the first time uses “tandem OLED” technology, which should, among other things, enable deeper black and more details in shadows. When playing films, the whole thing is said to be like holding a cinema screen in the palm of your hand.
Meanwhile, the M4 chip is said to enable a major leap in performance and, thanks to innovations, work up to four times faster than its predecessor, the M2, in certain tasks. Apple’s most powerful “Neural Engine” to date is now taking care of AI tasks.
Of course, the new “Apple Pencil Pro” is also supported by the Pro models – as is a redesigned “Magic Keyboard”, which is lighter and thinner and, among other things, also has a larger trackpad.
These innovations also affect the price. The iPad Pro is available in the 11-inch version from 1,199 euros (1,449 euros for Wi-Fi + Cellular), the 13-inch model from 1,549 euros (1,799 euros for Wi-Fi + Cellular). When fully equipped, the price can rise to over 3,100 euros. The whole thing can be ordered from today, May 7th, and available from May 15th. The new “Magic Keyboard” for the iPad Pro will also be released on May 15th and costs 349 euros.