The year 2023 was the first year that saw no iPad launch since Apple’s tablet computer first debuted in 2010. That’s not the only reason why the buzz and the rumours around the upcoming iPad Pro are beginning to flood the internet. Apple’s iPad line has evolved with four clear categories — the entry-level iPads, the diminutive iPad mini, the iPad Air and the top-of-the-line iPad Pro that has become Apple’s showcase for the ultimate work-cum-play device. Even as Apple has brought top-of-the-line hardware and kept making improvements to iPad OS, the debate around iPads as productivity devices geared for content creation hasn’t died down yet. The 2024 iPad Pro is likely to bolster Apple’s case.
Flagging global tab shipments
Tablets made a comeback of sorts during the pandemic when WFH routines and online classes created new opportunities for a category that was struggling for relevance as smartphone screens got bigger. That post-pandemic consumer interest has since cooled off. Global tablet shipments ended 2023 with 135.3 million units shipped registering a 10 per cent decline from 2022. According to global research firm Canalys, China and India were the only key large markets still driving tablet adoption and countering stagnation in other global markets.
A March debut?
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman who keeps close tabs on Apple with a history of accurate predictions has reported that the seventh generation iPad Pro could launch as early as March 2024 along with the latest iPad OS update. The last iPad Pro debuted in the last quarter of 2022. This premium iPad powered by the M2 chip also brought new functionality to the iPad Pencil. Industry observers believe that the 2024 iPad and launches from brands like Lenovo at CES 2024 could give the tablet segment a much needed shot in the arm. Already we’re seeing the gap widen in AI integration between tabs and consumer tech categories like smartphone and laptops where AI has become the golden grail. Foldable tabs (we’ve also been hearing rumours of a foldable iPad) are also likely to pique consumer interest over the next couple of years.
An all-new display?
One of the biggest updates in the 2024 iPad Pro is expected to be an all-new OLED display. As early as August 2023, Chosun Biz in Korea reported that Apple was in the process of final pricing negotiations for OLED panels for the iPad with Samsung and LG. This report also suggested that the price is three times that of the existing panel. It’s one of the many reports that hint at a possible price hike of the iPad Pro. Over the last few years we’ve seen the iPad Air emerge as a bridge between the entry-level iPads and the Pro iPads with more features being added to the iPad Air. We’ve seen varying estimates on the likely price increase for the 2024 iPad Pro with OLED displays between $160 and $700. Mark Gurman has also suggested that the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro could be bumped to a 13-inch screen. While we’ve seen rumours about large 14, even 16-inch screens, it’s more likely to be a minor screen expansion.
Big change under the hood
The upcoming iPad Pro looks all set for a big hardware update. Quite a few analysts like Gurman predict an upgrade to the M3 chip that is set to manufactured using TMSC’s 3nm process delivering a significant performance leap. This looks like a logical next step for the iPad Pro, given that the 2022 iPad Pro was already powered by the M2 chip that delivered stellar performance. We’ve also been hearing rumours of a 4TB version for the iPad Pro, although that might seem slightly far-fetched.
Getting stuff done
In October 2022, Apple tipster Majin Bu claimed that Apple could be testing a smaller version of macOS for the then upcoming iPad Pro M2 version. That didn’t happen. It’s still unlikely that there would be a dedicated OS exclusively for the iPad Pro line but a new keyboard looks imminent. Apple is likely to rejig the Magic Keyboard (could this mean a larger trackpad?) to make the iPad Pro resemble a laptop.
By all accounts and leaks, the 2024 iPad Pro looks set to be the biggest iPad update in years. There are rumours of wireless charging being added to the mix too. But even if that doesn’t happen, expect an improved display, more powerful internals and an iPad Pro experience that makes the strongest case for the iPad as a laptop alternative.
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