Apple, the technology behemoth, is gearing up for a significant update to its iPad Pro line in 2024, a long-anticipated move in the tablet industry.
Major Overhaul Since 2018
According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, this will be the first major overhaul of the iPad Pro since 2018. While there have been various upgrades since then, including tweaks in cameras, chips, and display technology, the fundamental design and features have largely remained static.
Enhanced Display Capabilities
One of the most touted features for the 2024 iPad Pro models is the transition to OLED screen technology. The current 12.9-inch iPad Pro uses mini-LED, and the 11-inch model has LED backlighting. The shift to OLED means users can expect crisper, brighter displays that reproduce colors with greater accuracy. In terms of size, while the lineup will feature the familiar 11-inch model, the larger iPad Pro will be expanded to a 13-inch display, slightly up from the current 12.9 inches.
Updated Internal Architecture
Apple’s next-gen iPad Pro models, codenamed J717, J718, J720, and J721, will also be equipped with the M3 chips, which are slated to make their first appearance in Mac updates later this year. This chip upgrade is expected to enhance performance and overall user experience.
Refined Magic Keyboard
Another significant highlight is the introduction of a revamped Magic Keyboard. Since its debut in 2020, the Magic Keyboard has been a defining accessory for the iPad Pro, transforming it into a laptop-like device. With the 2024 update, users can anticipate a larger trackpad, addressing a common critique of the current model. This enhancement will potentially make the iPad Pro resemble a laptop even more closely.
Launch Timeline
As per current predictions, the new iPad Pro models won’t be unveiled until the spring or early summer of 2024. Moreover, no major updates to other Apple tablets are expected in the interim.
Broader Implications
While Apple’s hardware has consistently been at the forefront of the tech industry, comments from the community suggest that there’s a pressing need for software advancements. With iPadOS, the expectation is for better hardware utilization. This is in line with the broader sentiment that the device’s capabilities are underutilized and that incorporating features from MacOS might bridge the gap.
However, Apple’s endeavors to revamp the iPad Pro come at a crucial juncture. The global tablet market has witnessed a slump in recent times. Notably, iPad sales reached their lowest in early 2020 since the pandemic’s onset, with a 17% decline in Q2 shipments. Several factors contribute to this trend, including the surge in larger-screen phone purchases and the minor updates Apple has been introducing to its iPad lineup.
Yet, Apple remains the dominant player, accounting for 37% of the tablet shipments last quarter. The upcoming overhaul offers Apple an opportunity to reinvigorate the tablet market and strengthen its position.
In conclusion, 2024 promises to be an exciting year for Apple enthusiasts and the broader tech community. The revamped iPad Pro, with its enhanced features and capabilities, might just be the catalyst needed to rejuvenate the tablet industry. Only time will reveal the impact of these innovations on the market landscape.
