What’s New With The New iPads?

A month before WWDC 2024, Apple announced the redesigned iPad Air and iPad Pro. The upgraded tablets are now equipped with Apple Silicon, with newer and more advanced features than previous models. They also come in 11- and 13-inch models for enhanced versatility and portability. Both iPads also come with new accessories to further your iPad experience.

Let’s look at the new and improved iPads and what we can expect!

A breath of fresh Air

From Apple Philippines

The new iPad Air’s most striking feature is the inclusion of the M2 chip. Apple claims that it’s 50% faster compared to previous iPad generations. If we’re going granular, that also means the current generation of iPad Air’s CPU and graphics are faster by 15% and 25% respectively. Like the Apple silicon M2 MacBook, the iPad Air also bears a 16-core Neural Engine, making it more capable at handling AI tasks. 

Go Pro or go home

From Apple Newsroom

The iPad Pro has the M4 chip, making it 1.5x faster than the M2. Apple’s latest silicon chip also supports Dynamic Caching and enhanced memory performance—all while utilizing less power.  That said, the current iteration of the iPad Pro is reportedly the tech giant’s “most powerful” iPad yet.

The iPad Pro stands out with its new OLED display, which Apple brands as Ultra Retina XDR. According to the company, the iPad Pro utilizes tandem OLED technology that delivers more vibrant contrasts, enhanced color accuracy, and overall, better energy efficiency. What’s more, the iPad Pro also comes with a nano-texture glass option ideal for professionals. This type of finish reduces glare while maintaining high-quality imagery. That said, professional artists and content creators may want to invest in this device 

The device is also the thinnest and lightest in its line of models, with the 13-inch version being 5.1mm thick and weighing 579 grams, making this tablet pack a stronger punch in a more portable yet incredibly durable package. 

Better accessories

From Apple Philippines

The new iPads come with the all-new Apple Pencil Pro and an enhanced Magic Keyboard and Smart Folio. The Apple Pencil Pro, specifically designed for the iPad Pro, comes with improved gestures for better precision control and amplified creativity. Meanwhile, the new Magic Keyboard now has a Function Row for more seamless setting adjustments; a larger trackpad with haptic feedback for greater responsiveness; and an aluminum palm rest that boosts the device’s durability. Most reviewers would even state that the Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Pro “feel like a MacBook!”

Will these iPads eventually replace MacBooks?

When I started freelance writing, I used an iPad Air 2 for six months before eventually shifting to a macbook. That said, the iPad served its purpose for the work I needed to do. However, that particular iPad model had limited functionality compared to what a notebook or a laptop could provide. 

Given the new features of the newer models, the iPad Pro, in particular, could easily go head-to-head with the current MacBooks on the market. However, your primary consideration would be your budget. The base model of the MacBook Pro M3 costs ₱104,990 at the official Apple Philippines store while a standard 11-inch 256GB iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil Pro and enhanced Magic Keyboard is at ₱101,670.

Then there is the comparison and contrast between iPadOS and macOS. The former is said to be best for consuming content, like streaming your favorite videos or playing games. Meanwhile, macOS is specifically designed for more hardworking tasks such as video and image editing and crunching numbers.

We may not be seeing the new iPads as MacBook replacements yet. But given their new features—and the arrival of iPadOS 18 soon—we’re excited to see how well they’ll fare especially with the new silicon chips. 

Not ready for an iPad just yet? Check out the Next Upgrade Shop and its range of tablets that fit any budget! Sign up and enjoy gadgets at the lowest prices with nationwide delivery. Happy shopping!