Apple revealed the newest generation of iPad Pros and Airs on Tuesday, featuring faster CPUs, larger sizes, and a new display system as part of the company’s first tablet portfolio update in over a year.
The event at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, comes as the company reported its worst quarterly loss in iPhone sales since the pandemic began, continuing a slump that is putting more pressure on the trendsetting business to improve its products. Next month, Apple will make a significant impact at an annual conference showcasing the latest versions of its operating systems for iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers, which analysts anticipate will incorporate more artificial intelligence technologies.
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The prices of both new iPad lines have adjusted to reflect the additional features. The iPad Pro features a redesigned, slimmer design, a new M4 CPU for increased processing power, marginally enhanced storage, and two OLED panels for a brighter, clearer display. The 11-inch model now costs $999, while the 13-inch model costs $1,299, reflecting the new offerings.
The new iPad Air sports a speedier M2 chip, a new design, more basic storage, a new 13-inch display option, and a redesigned camera. Additionally, it will support the new Apple Pencil Pro, a feature previously exclusive to Pro versions. The 11-inch display will retail for $599, while the bigger 13-inch variant will cost $799.
However, Apple did announce a price drop for its 10th generation iPad, which will now be $349 instead of $449.
Apple is attempting to boost demand for iPads after sales fell 17% from last year during the January–March quarter. The iPad, which helped alter the tablet market with its release in 2010, has since been a modest component of Apple’s prosperity. It currently accounts for only 6% of the company’s sales.
“The enhancements were both needed and predictable, in a maintenance sort of way, and may help stanch some of the revenue loss in that product line,” Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said about the new iPads. “But it’s nothing to get terribly excited about.”
All of the new versions will be available in stores on May 15, with preorders beginning Tuesday.
