Apple Launches New iPads That Can Finally Replace Laptops

Along with the new MacBook Air, Apple also unveiled its next-generation iPad Pro models at a launch event yesterday. According to the Cupertino, the iPad Pro is faster and more powerful than most Windows laptops, thanks to the new processor. Moreover, on top of featuring top-notch specifications (as always), both models come with exciting new accessories.

Let’s take a look.

Design and Display

Overall, design-wise the only element added to the iPad is the dual-sensor camera on the back on an iPhone 11-like camera housing. Other than this, both models are visually identical to last year’s models.

The new models include 4^th gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch which is, of course, built around a 12.9-inch IPS LCD with 2048 x 2732 pixels resolution, 4:3 aspect ratio, and 265 PPI pixel density. Moreover, it also retains the 120Hz ProMotion display with P3 wide color support and 600 nits peak brightness.

The other iPad is a 2^nd gen iPad Pro 11-inch, which comes with an 11-inch IPS LCD featuring 1668 x 2388 pixels resolution with 265 PPI pixel density. Apart from this, it has display specifications similar to its older sibling.

Internals and Storage

Internally, both models come with Apple’s latest A12Z Bionic chipset. This eight-core SoC, as per Apple, makes the device faster and more powerful than most of the laptops on the market. The new GPU, comes with an improved thermal design and tuned performance controllers.

As far as the storage options are concerned, both models come in a 128 GB base model. However, they can also be bought in 256 GB, 512 GB, and 1 TB configurations.

A new feature added to the 2020-launched iPad Pro models is the support for Apple’s new ‘Magic Keyboard.’ It comes under the moniker because of its ability to keep the iPad afloat over the keyboard. Moreover, these iPads come with added support for a trackpad that is also incorporated in the new magic keyboard. The new trackpad support will come with iPadOS 13.4 that will roll out on 23^rd March.

These new iPad Pros also boast an updated microphone system. Users now get five “studio-quality” microphones similar to what the new 16-inch MacBook Pro features.

Cameras

As mentioned, unlike previous iPads, the new generation iPad Pros come with a dual-sensor rear camera. They feature a 12 MP primary sensor, same as the previous models, and a new 10 MP ultra-wide sensor. Both snappers are capable of shooting 4K videos up to 60 fps.

However, the added camera is in no way the most exciting feature of the newly launched tablets. Apple, showing off its massive dedication to AR, has added a hardware LiDAR scanner to complement the imaging sensors.

For those who don’t know, a LiDAR scanner is a ToF depth sensor that sends out laser pulses to determine the object’s distance from the sensor.

For selfies, both models come with a 7 MP snapper carried on from previous models. The facial recognition sensors also remain unchanged.

Battery and Pricing

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch model comes with a 36.71 watt-hour battery while the 11-inch model features a 28.65 watt-hour battery, similar to their predecessors. According to Apple, both of them will provide a 10 hours battery life on Wi-Fi.

As far as the pricing is concerned, the 11-inch model costs $799 for the Wi-Fi model and $949 for the LTE model with 128GB storage. The 12.9-inch model, on the other hand, costs $999 for the Wi-Fi model and $1149 for the LTE model with 128GB storage.

iPad Pro 11-inch and iPad Pro 12.9-inch specifications

Specifications	iPad Pro 11-inch	iPad Pro 12.9-inch
CPU	Octa-core	Octa-core
GPU	Apple GPU	Apple GPU
Chipset	Apple A12Z Bionic	Apple A12Z Bionic
OS	iPadOS 14	iPadOS 14
Networks	2G, 3G, 4G LTE;	2G, 3G, 4G LTE;
Display	LTPS IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 11 inches, 1668 x 2388 pixels resolution	LTPS IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, 12.9 inches, 2048 x 2732 pixels resolution
Memory	128 GB/ 256 GB/ 512 GB/ 1 TB	128 GB/ 256 GB/ 512 GB/ 1 TB
Camera	Primary: 12 MP + 10 MP + LiDAR	Primary: 12 MP + 10 MP + LiDAR
	Selfie: 7 MP	Selfie: 7 MP
Connectivity	LTE, USB type-C, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0,	LTE, USB type-C, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0,
Fingerprint scanner	N/A	N/A
Battery	36.71 watt-hour	28.65 watt-hour
Price	·         Wi-Fi (128 GB) $799 ·         LTE (128 GB) $949	·         Wi-Fi (128 GB) $999 ·         LTE (128 GB) $1149