2024 iPad Pro brings major upgrades, will be launched in late March or April

Main points

• The new OLED display brings vibrant colors and larger size to the 2024 iPad Pro models, resulting in a better user experience.
• A slimmer design, landscape front-facing camera, and laptop-like Magic Keyboard make the upcoming iPad Pro sleeker and improved.
• The updated Magic Keyboard is expected to improve the iPad Pro experience with a larger trackpad and possible function keys.

The iPad Pro hasn’t changed much since its 2018 redesign. Yes, its camera hardware, processor, display, and even input/output hardware have all received meaningful updates. However, the overall design has remained largely unchanged over the past five years. However, by 2024, the iPad Pro series may break this pattern of minor upgrades with three major improvements. Here, we take a look at the 2024 iPad Pro upgrades, which according to reliable reporter Mark Gurman, could launch as early as late March or early April.

1. New OLED display for 2024 iPad Pro

If you look at today’s iPad Pro lineup, you’ll find that the 11-inch iPad Pro still uses the same Liquid Retina LED display introduced with the 2018 redesign, with 600 nits of typical brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate thanks to Pro Motion. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro has always used a similar panel until 2021, when it switched to mini-LED, providing higher brightness for HDR workflows (typical brightness is still 600 nits) and a better viewing experience.

So if you look at the lineup, there’s currently a divide between the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, but by 2024, with the move to OLED panels, Apple will bring both models back to the same level. We’ve seen OLED technology on iPhones since Apple launched the iPhone X in 2017, and we’re excited to see it making its way to the iPad as well.

This will be a huge upgrade for those using iPads for creative workflows, as the increased color contrast will improve the user experience. Additionally, it will make viewing content more enjoyable for casual users. The move to OLED will also bring slightly larger 11.1-inch and 13-inch displays.

2. More stylish and improved design

According to leaked CAD renderings, Apple’s 2024 iPad Pro will be significantly thinner than previous models. The current 11-inch model is 5.9mm thick, while the new model is expected to be as thin as 5.1mm. Likewise, the upcoming 12.9-inch model may be reduced from 6.4mm to 5.0mm. Other rumored changes include the possibility that the new model will feature a horizontal front-facing camera, like the 10th-generation iPad, which would be better suited for video calls.

3. Updated Magic Keyboard for 2024 iPad Pro

Another important part of the iPad Pro experience is its accompanying accessories. The Magic Keyboard appears to be getting its first update since its launch in 2020.

It is reported that the redesign will bring some changes to make the iPad Pro and keyboard combination look more like a laptop, and will also allow for a larger trackpad to be designed into the Magic Keyboard’s chassis.

I’ve been using the Magic Keyboard on a 2018 iPad Pro for over a year, and while the trackpad is usable (due to its excellent tracking capabilities and even clicking surface), when I switched back from an iPad, its size really It feels funny. My MacBook is suitable for writing anytime, anywhere. So I’m sure the added size is something all future buyers will really appreciate.

I also wish Apple would add a row of function keys to the Magic Keyboard. They’ve done this with the Magic Keyboard Folio, making it one of the best keyboards for the iPad (10th generation), and now it’s time for the iPad Pro to get the same treatment.

4. The new Apple Pencil will be available alongside the 2024 iPad Pro

Apple is also expected to launch a new Apple Pencil alongside the 2024 iPad Pro models. The current second-generation Apple Pencil is about to get an upgrade, with the new version rumored to bring a new design, a smooth surface, and a better, deeper magnetic tip. There is also speculation that the new Apple Pencil supports color sampling function, but the details are still uncertain.

5. New generation M3 processor, better performance

The last upgrade detailed in Mark Gurman’s report is the move from the current M2 processor to the next-generation M3 processor. Of all the upgrade rumors for the 2024 iPad Pro, this is the most likely change.

The improvements the M3 processor will offer result from TSMC’s move to 3nm manufacturing technology from the 5nm manufacturing technology used in the M1 and M2 processors. The new technology will help increase the transistor density of processors, bringing more performance to motherboards while improving efficiency. It is estimated that there are rumors that the efficiency is expected to increase by 35%. So if the M3 processor does make it to the 2024 iPad Pro, we might finally see it break the 10-hour barrier.

Arrival in late March/early April

In the latest Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman said that Apple plans to launch new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in late March or April. The company is even reportedly planning to roll out a special iPadOS 17.4 update for the new iPads. Don’t expect a launch event for the new model, though. Apple is expected to announce the new iPad directly through the newsroom, similar to the M3 MacBook Air launch, rather than holding a separate event.