Apple expected to unveil new iPads at upcoming May 7 event

[Daniel Sims]

Something to look forward to: Following months of rumors and speculation, Apple appears ready to lift the curtain on new iPad models. If prior reports prove accurate, the Cupertino giant will soon begin shipping updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models with faster processors and new front-facing cameras. The iPad Pro should also get an OLED screen.

Apple announced its next livestream event is on May 7. During the keynote, the rumor brokers expect it to reveal iPad models with new displays, cameras, and processors. Credible leaks regarding details of the new iPads have circulated since last year, but their projected release dates moved multiple times until Bloomberg's Mark Gurman pinpointed a May launch. The company's announcement suggests that it's finally ready to ship the new tablets.

Barring last-minute surprises, the new iPad Air will feature an M2 processor and a 12.9-inch variant for users who want an extra-large screen without paying for an iPad Pro. Meanwhile, the updated iPad Pro will upgrade to the M3 and receive the lineup's first-ever OLED panel.

The OLED models might be lighter but also more expensive. While information regarding the final price is scant, at least one new iPad Pro might still be attainable for under $1,000.

Pencil us in for May 7! âÂÂï¸Â #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/1tvyB7h450

– Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 23, 2024

Apple might also move the front-facing cameras for both models to the side, enabling the use of FaceTime in landscape mode. The last time the company released new iPads was in 2022, when it introduced this change with the 10th generation iPad.

Other rumors regarding the upcoming iPads mentioned an updated Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard. Apple CEO Tim Cook's tweet promoting the May 7 event hints that a new Apple Pencil might be imminent with the tongue-in-cheek phrase, "Pencil us in." If the showcase also reveals an upgraded keyboard, prior reports suggest it should have a larger touchpad resembling a MacBook's.

It's unclear how much Apple will incorporate the iPad in its long-anticipated plans for generative AI, which the company could unveil at WWDC in June. Through the second half of 2024 and early 2025, Apple will unveil new iPhones and Mac models, incorporating the A18 and M4 processors. The new silicon features dramatically boosted AI performance with dedicated neural cores. These cores will empower new software, including applications on iOS 18, to process AI tasks entirely on-device to minimize reliance on cloud servers.

Revisit this article on May 7 at 10 am EDT to watch the event live or watch it on Apple's home page.

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Apple expected to unveil new iPads at upcoming May 7 event

 

[daffy duck]

Depending on price the 12.9" Air model sounds nice. It will get the mini-led screen from the current Pro model and M2 is plenty fast enough for next 5 years at least. Still what I think will happen is 12.9" Air will be priced within $100 of the current 12.9" Pro and the OLED Pro models are set to get close to $200 price increases.

 

[Watzupken]

Depending on price the 12.9" Air model sounds nice. It will get the mini-led screen from the current Pro model and M2 is plenty fast enough for next 5 years at least. Still what I think will happen is 12.9" Air will be priced within $100 of the current 12.9" Pro and the OLED Pro models are set to get close to $200 price increases.

I am not sure if Apple will deliberately gimp the display to run at 60Hz instead. It is common for Apple to do so to make the Pro more attractive. And if they are increasing price, the iPad Air may start creeping into the current gen iPad Pro price range with likely some limitations to make it slightly cheaper.

Overall, I don't think the new iPads are going to make a big difference. Sure its got OLED display and some feature upgrades. However, even the M1 iPads are being limited by software in most cases, and with the M3 already throttling badly in the new MacBook Air, you can be sure there is going to be limited performance gains under sustained loads.

 

[CrisisDog]

Don’t really care about iPads. Is the M3 Mac mini or Studio going to be announced?

 

[toooooot]

If they still make one with 64gb storage, I will laugh.

 

[Watzupken]

If they still make one with 64gb storage, I will laugh.

If you are talking about an Apple product, this is always possible. Don't forget the Vision Pro base model cost 3.5 grand with 256GB storage. Lol. And they will do that so that they can charge you another 150 to 200 bucks for one with more storage.

 

[toooooot]

If you are talking about an Apple product, this is always possible. Don't forget the Vision Pro base model cost 3.5 grand with 256GB storage. Lol. And they will do that so that they can charge you another 150 to 200 bucks for one with more storage.

I'm ok with Apple's outrageous prices.
I can't respect however how they make cringy mother earth commercials where they talk about caring for the planet while creating the most obvious artificial obsoletion purposely
lowering the size of the most crucial component in their devices.
And as someone who bought a product like that long ago, I know how well it works.
I would delete one app because I wanted to try something else. Then I would run out of storage again and think what I could delete next. They make these nearly affordable devices very purposely, and it works very well. Which is why they should keep very quiet about mother nature.