Apple is poised to undertake a significant overhaul of the iPad Pro, although the refreshed tablet is unlikely to hit the market until the following year.
This news emerged on Sunday, courtesy of Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, known for accurate Apple-related insights. The iPad Pro from the tech giant has not undergone a major update since 2018, and Apple is hoping that revitalizing this high-end device will invigorate a tablet market that, according to Gurman, “is in a deep funk.”
The upcoming generation of iPad Pro devices, reportedly carrying the code names J717, J718, J720, and J721, will feature Apple’s first tablets with OLED displays. Sources disclosed to Gurman that this display type, present in iPhones since the iPhone X’s launch six years ago, offers a brighter, crisper appearance along with more vibrant colors and deeper blacks.
The forthcoming iPad Pros will be available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. While the 11-inch model is already part of the lineup, a 13-inch display would represent a slight increase over the current 12.9-inch offering.
As expected, the next year’s iPad Pro is anticipated to incorporate Apple’s upcoming M3 chip.
Gurman’s insiders also indicated that Apple will introduce an overhauled Magic Keyboard for the tablet. This accessory will provide the iPad Pro with a laptop-like appearance, and it will feature a larger trackpad. Gurman elaborated that this larger trackpad addresses a concern about the current Magic Keyboard, which was introduced in 2020.
It appears that the new iPad Pro tablets are unlikely to make their debut until the spring or early summer of 2024. Only minor updates are anticipated for the rest of the iPad lineup until then.
Despite a slump in the tablet market following a surge in sales during the pandemic, Apple remains the market leader, accounting for 37% of tablet shipments in the last quarter.
The forthcoming major redesign of the iPad Pro next year is expected to give Apple’s tablet sales a boost. However, in these economically uncertain times, convincing individuals to invest significantly in an iPad, especially when many consider tablets their secondary devices after phones, could pose a real challenge.
For those currently seeking a new tablet, Digital Trends provides guidance on the best iPad choice and offers suggestions for decent Android alternatives if one prefers to avoid Apple’s offerings.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Chronicle Hub journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.