Apple has just unveiled the new M2 iPad Pro and a colorful lineup of entry-level iPads.
These new versions of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch Pro tablet are now upgraded with the same M2 chip that powers the latest MacBook Air and are optimized for Apple’s multitasking tool Stage Manager. The new iPads come with iPadOS 16.1, the tablet version of the new iPhone operating system, iOS 16.
The new M2 iPad Pro has the same flat-edge design as the previous iPad Pro, which falls in line with the current aesthetic of other Apple devices like the current iPhone 14 line. It also comes with a second-generation Apple Pencil and improved « Pencil Hover » capabilities. This means the Apple Pencil can be detected up to 12 millimeters away from the screen.
New features powered by iPadOS 16 also include Reference Mode, which enables the iPad Pro’s display to accurately match colors and image quality, and better desktop app workflow like consistent undo/redo as well as an improved experience for finding files and customizing toolbars.
Alongside the iPad Pro, Apple has also released a new updated entry-level iPad with a USB-C port. The iPad has a new design, with a 10.9-inch screen that extends to the edges and new colorways: blue, pink, yellow, and silver.
The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for the Wi-Fi-only model and $999 for Wi-Fi + cellular. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,099 for Wi-Fi-only, and $1,299 for Wi-Fi + cellular.
As for the new iPad, you can grab that starting at $499 for the Wi-Fi only model and $599 for Wi-Fi + cellular. The Apple Pencil does not come bundled with the Pro, and will retail separately for $129.
In years past, Apple has often held an October event to announce new iPads and Macs, following its flagship Sept. iPhone event. But that didn’t happen this time around because, frankly, these iPad updates aren’t all that groundbreaking. Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman speculates that the Apple promotional engine is « saving its marketing energy » for the highly-anticipated mixed-reality headset supposedly coming in 2023.
New MacBook Pros are rumored to be coming soon, too. The 14-inch version is said to be powered by the M2 Pro chip and the 16-inch model with the M2 Max. However, Apple’s high-end laptop refreshes aren’t expected until later this year. With Apple’s earnings call right around the corner on Oct. 27, a new iPad Pro and iPad is the last opportunity to bump sales before the quarter ends.
The M2 iPad Pro and new entry-level iPads are available for pre-order now and will hit stores on Oct. 26.
