All eyes will be on the Apple iPads when the brand will hold its Let Loose event on May 7 at 7am Pacific Time (7.30pm India Time). Apple CEO Tim Cook could announce new iPad Air and Pro models as well as upgrades to the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard during the event. While the Let Loose event will be focussed on announcements on the new iPads, the Worldwide Developer Conference scheduled for next month will involve the unveiling of new software updates for iPads, Macs, iPhones, and more. Here’s what to expect from Apple’s upcoming event:
iPad Air with 12.9-inch screen
The iPad Air is expected to feature a larger display, which was previously limited to the Pro lineup. According to reports, the new iPad Air range could arrive in two sizes: 12.9-inch and 10.9-inch. However, don’t expect major changes to the display technology as the iPad Air lineup could retain the same LCD display found in the previous iterations. Furthermore, an OLED panel could replace the mini-LED display in the existing iPad Pro lineup.
As for the processor, the iPad Air is expected to receive an upgrade from the existing generation and could arrive with Apple’s M2 chipset. Apple will also be unveiling the Magic Keyboard and 3rd generation Apple Pencil during the event. However, it is not yet known whether these will be offered with the iPad Air range or Pro models.
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OLED iPad Pro with M4 chipsets
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurnman has recently reported that the iPad Pro lineup could receive an upgrade and feature the OLED display technology, found in iPhones since 2017. The OLED display will reduce bezels and provide better image quality, resulting in a thinner tablet.
While the iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch model could be around 20 per cent slimmer, the 11-inch variant is expected to be 15 per cent thinner as compared to its predecessor.
In a first, Apple is expected to introduce the M4 chipset for the iPad Pro lineup, Gurnman’s latest report suggests. The M4 chipset could assist in some heavy-duty artificial intelligence tasks of the tablet. However, Apple will explain this in detail during the WWDC event in June.
In a disappointment to customers, Apple could also increase the prices of the iPad Pro range, according to a 9to5Mac report. It suggests that the cost of Apple’s premium tablets could go up by $100.
Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Upgrades
Apple is expected to unveil the new iteration of the Magic Keyboard and 3rd generation Apple Pencil during the Let Loose event on Tuesday.
Gurnman revealed that one of the key highlights of the event will be the 3rd generation Apple Pencil. This doesn’t come as a surprise as Apple has already included a pencil in its logo for the Let Loose event.
As for the next-generation Magic Keyboard, it could have a more aluminium base, providing the iPad with a laptop-like look, while the new keyboard could feature a larger trackpad.
