It has been more than once since the first Apple keynote of this year has finished, and the truth is that it has not disappointed us at all. We have finally seen Jon Prosser's dreamed AirTags, but without a doubt, the most spectacular of the presentation has been the new iMac and iPad Pro with M1 processors.
So now with more calm, we are going to review in more detail the characteristics of this new iPad Pro, and its official prices in Spain in its different versions. Go for it.
Apple released a new iPad Pro last year, a year and a half after the previous update, but it was not a big change. It was a simple commercial "restyling" more than anything else. A new camera module that included LiDAR and the Ultra Wide camera, but the iPad is not really a device designed to take great pictures. The processor was upgraded to the A12Z, which was the same as the A12X, but with a single GPU core, disabled in the A12X, reactivated. It had more storage, but that's just a function of the inevitable march of time. Come on, in Cupertino they did not kill much with that version of the iPad Pro.
But without a doubt now you have to take your hat off to the team that has worked on the development of this new fifth generation iPad Pro. Chapeau!
The first Apple Silicon iPad
The first iPad of the Apple Silicon era with an M1 processor.
Let's go with the news. The new iPad Pro is officially incorporated into devices Apple silicon, since it mounts the well-known M1 processor that already accumulates so many good reviews in the Apple Silicon that were launched at the end of last year.
El M1 it's basically what we would have expected from an A14X - it's like an A14 with twice the high-performance cores (4 instead of 2), twice the GPU cores (8 instead of 4), and twice the width of the bus. memory (128-bit instead of 64-bit). If it was already designed with the M1, there was no need to waste time on a new A-series processor.
In addition to much faster CPU and graphics, access to storage is twice as fast as the latest iPad Pro, and is available with up to 2 TB storage. On models with less than 1 TB of storage, the iPad Pro comes with 8 GB of RAM. In models with 1TB or 2TB of storage, it comes with 16GB of RAM. Almost nothing.
With 12,9-inch mini-LED display
MiniLED display for the 12,9-inch model.
The two iPad Pro models, both the 11-inch and the 12,9-inch iPad Pro have LED displays with a 264-pixel-per-inch resolution, True Tone, and 120 Hz ProMotion support. But the 12,9-inch model inches also has a new backlight Mini-LED which gives you a better contrast.
It is called Liquid Retina XDR, very similar to the already known Pro Display XDR monitor. You get 1000 nits of brightness and 1600 nits of peak brightness, a 1.000.000: 1 contrast ratio, and support for multiple different HDR formats. All a professional screen on an iPad.
New advanced connections
With the great redesign of the 2018 iPad Pro, Apple replaced the iPad Pro's Lightning port with a USB Type-C connector. This gave it the ability to more easily connect to external storages, cameras, and other accessories.
The new models are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 y USB4, which means they support all existing USB-C compatible accessories, as well as Thunderbolt accessories, such as higher speed external storage devices and high resolution monitors. It can even be connected to the Pro Display XDR at full resolution. A great advance to be able to exploit the possibilities of the iPad.
New 12MP front camera
A front camera with automatic framing.
The new generation of iPad Pro have the same rear cameras than last year's mode: an f / 1.8 12MP Wide and f / 2.4 10MP Ultra Wide camera, plus a LiDAR sensor. But the front camera has been replaced by a new 2.4MP f12 ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view.
A cool new FaceTime feature called «Center Stage»Causes it to automatically" frame "and zoom to keep you in the center of the screen as you pan left or right. Useful if you make video calls while holding the iPad with one hand.
Better image processing thanks to the M1 processor will give better results in photos and videos despite having the same rear camera as the previous version.
The LTE model with 5G
This was obvious. It will have cost the Cupertino engineers little to adapt the modem 5G from the current iPhone 12 to the new iPad Pro. An LTE connection that matches the performance of the new iPad Pro. Nothing more to add in this regard. It was a drawer.
Prices and availability
The 11-inch iPad Pro is priced the same as last year's model - starting at 879 Euros the one with 128 GB of storage with Wi-Fi only. The Wi-Fi + Cellular model starts at € 1.049, somewhat more expensive than last year's model, due to the price of the 5G modem.
The 12,9-inch model did have a price increase, due to the new Liquid Retina XDR display. It begins at 1.199 Euros with 128GB of storage on the Wi-Fi model. The Wi-Fi + Cellular goes up to 1.369 Euros with the minimum storage of 128 GB.
Orders will be accepted on the Apple website and in its stores from April 30, and will begin shipping in the second half of May, no specific day yet.
Are you sure that the front camera is placed on the long edge? I would say no, that it is still in the same location as always.
You're right. I apologize and edit the text.