Apple Event: New iPad Pro models boast huge M4 chip

At the unveiling event, Apple introduced the latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models for 2024, equipped with the M4 chip—Apple’s most advanced processor to date—highlighted by their exceptionally slim design. This iteration comes with a 5.1mm thickness for the 13-inch model and 5.3mm for the 11-inch variant, setting a new standard for compactness in their line, dressed in elegant gray and black finishes.

iPad Pro (2024) specs

The new iPad Pro 2024 M4 models offer capabilities that bring them closer to professional-grade computers than conventional tablets. Their ultra-thin build houses significant upgrades including a cutting-edge OLED screen named Ultra Retina XDR. This display uniquely incorporates two OLED panels layered together, enhancing brightness up to 1,600 nits for HDR content, enveloped by a proprietary anti-reflective coating from Apple.

“We’ve always envisioned iPad as a magical sheet of glass. And with the new iPad Pro, we wanted to give customers an even more remarkable visual experience,” stated John Ternus, SVP, Hardware Engineering during Apple’s iPad event.

This enhancement was achieved through the introduction of OLED technology in the iPad, a first for the device. This technology not only achieves the desired light and color accuracy sought by iPad Pro users but also overcomes previous limitations in brightness. The breakthrough Tandem OLED screen delivers stunning brightness levels—up to 1,000 nits for consistent full-screen illumination and 1,600 nits at peak for HDR content. According to the company, this sets a new benchmark for display quality unmatched by any other device.

Moreover, the incorporation of OLED technology allows for exceptionally precise control over each pixel’s color and brightness. This precision enhances visual dynamics in photos and videos, making highlights appear brighter and blacks deeper and more authentic, all while significantly enhancing the response rate for dynamic content.

The culmination of these advancements is the Ultra Retina XDR display, now featured in the brand-new 11-inch and 13-inch models.

Apple Event: Welcome new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Airs

M4 chip

At the core of these enhancements is the Apple Silicon M4 processor, crafted with a second-generation three-nanometer lithography, boasting a CPU that delivers twice the speed of its predecessor, the M2. This processor configuration combines four high-efficiency cores with six low-power cores, alongside an exponentially improved neural processing unit, now 60 times swifter than its inaugural version.

Image: Apple

While focusing on processing power, the M4 also enhances gaming efficiency, using only half the energy of the M2, thereby potentially doubling battery life. The device’s rear camera features a 12-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a five-element lens, supporting Smart HDR 4 and capable of capturing 4K video at 60 FPS using the ProRes codec. Additionally, a LiDAR scanner complements this setup, enabling 3D mapping with supported applications. The front camera has been repositioned horizontally to optimize video call functionality.

iPad Pro price and release date

The latest 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro models are available in blue, purple, star white, and space gray, offering storage options from 128 GB to 1 TB. Pricing for these models in Spain starts at €1,199 for the 11-inch WiFi model and goes up to €1,799 for the 13-inch model with WiFi+Cellular connectivity.

In addition to the new size, we have an expansion of the storage available. We will start from 128 GB but as a novelty this year they will also be offered in 512 GB and 1 TB versions.

Image: Apple

Apple explains that it has decided to incorporate the M2 processor, presented last year and present in the MacBook Air with M2. A chip with 5 nanometer photolithography, eight cores and a Neural Engine capable of processing 50% more operations than the M1. A processor that offers very good performance in laptops and is now being transferred to the iPad Air, as was already done with the iPad Pro.

In addition to increased dimensions, there is also a broader range of storage capacities this year, starting at 128 GB and extending to new 512 GB and 1 TB options. Apple has chosen to integrate the M2 processor, which was introduced last year and features in the MacBook Air with M2. This chip employs 5-nanometer photolithography and includes eight cores along with a Neural Engine that processes operations 50% faster than its predecessor, the M1. Demonstrating robust performance in laptops, this processor is now being adapted for use in the iPad Air, following its incorporation into the iPad Pro.

More from Apple Event:

• Apple M4 chip: Everything you need to know
• New Final Cut Pro: Multicam for iPad and advanced AI for Mac

Featured image credit: Apple