Source: Aifaner
Author: So Wai Hung

$Apple (AAPL.US)$The first official press conference in 2024 is coming soon after the Labor Day holiday. For the Chinese audience, Apple chose a very friendly time: May 7 at 10 p.m. Don't stay up late to avoid affecting your studies and work the next day.

The launch, with the slogan “Let Loose” (Let Loose), is expected to bring a number of new products to the iPad ecosystem: the “major update” iPad Pro and iPad Air, the first major update in six years, and the Magic Control keyboard that makes the iPad more like a laptop. Plus, there might be more surprises.

Compared to regular upgrades, many sources have revealed that this product update will be very paid. This is an excellent summary of breaking news. Let's take a look at the possible highlights of the new product.

iPad Pro: the biggest update ever

Famous Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman has repeatedly mentioned a statement in the news of the new iPad Pro: “The biggest update.”

Judging from the current revelations, the iPad Pro can indeed be said to have held back a big move and has been upgraded in many aspects.

Mark Gurman pointed out that the new iPad Pro is likely to skip Apple's latest M3 series chip and directly launch the new M4 series.

In the previous news about the M4 chip, Gurman mentioned that this unreleased processor will be equipped with a new neural engine, which will significantly enhance AI capabilities.

Therefore, according to reports, the new iPad Pro equipped with an M4 processor will be Apple's first truly AI-driven device, and officially open the “AI era” of Apple devices.

The most detailed upgrade that was revealed came from the display. The two new iPad Pros will be simultaneously upgraded to include a new OLED screen.

For comparison, the current 11-inch iPad Pro screen is made of LCD, while the 12.9-inch model is equipped with MiniLED technology.

This upgrade is very friendly to the “small screen party”. Users who want to buy a smaller iPad Pro had to sacrifice the peak brightness and contrast of the screen in the past, but on the new model, the small screen version can also get the original “Pro level” display experience.

Weibo blogger @刹那数码, who has accurately exposed Apple products, broke the news that the iPad Pro will have a narrower bezel size:

- iPad Pro 11-inch screen border width: 7.12 mm
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch screen border width: 7.08 mm

9to5Mac's comparison chart based on the above data. The left side is the current model, and the right side is the new iPad Pro's new OLED screen, which also brings a thinner body to the iPad Pro. 9to5mac revealed that the new 11-inch iPad Pro is 13.6% thinner, while the 12.9-inch version is 21.9% thinner.

-editor-image-source- ▲ A rendering of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro Therefore, although the screen size has hardly changed much, the two new iPad Pro will provide a more extreme screen look on the basis of being slimmer than the previous generation.

Furthermore, the OLED screen that is about to arrive on the iPad Pro also has new black technology: using two layers of tandem technology, it will provide two layers of pixels instead of one, which will not only increase screen brightness, but also reduce the “screen burning” problems often seen on traditional OLED screens.

Many media have described this upcoming OLED screen on the iPad Pro: the best in the industry.

So what's the cost? DigiTimes reports that the price of the two iPad Pro models will increase by about 160 US dollars (about 1,159 yuan), the price starting at 11 inches will be less than 1,000 US dollars (about 7246.5 yuan), and the 12.9 inch will be less than 1,300 US dollars (about RMB 9420.45).

The new OLED screen also brings another minor regret: production. Analyst Ross Young revealed in March that the production of the 11-inch OLED screen that Samsung is responsible for is lagging behind, which is one reason why the iPad Pro was not released along with the M3 MacBook Air in March.

Although production has improved, the 11-inch iPad Pro is likely to be in short supply for some time after it was first released.

In addition to OLED, Moment Digital also revealed another update on the screen: the new iPad Pro will offer an additional “matte” screen option.

This “matte screen” is a bit like the popular “matte film” on the iPad. Not only is it more eye friendly, but writing and drawing with a stylus is also better than a bright screen, and it is also resistant to fingerprints.

9to5mac believes this “matte screen” is also likely to be the “nano-textured” glass on Pro Display XDR and Studio Display.

Another minor change that was mentioned a lot: the front camera will most likely be moved to the long side like the iPad 10.

iPad Air: a “bigger than bigger” screen

The iPad Air family is expected to welcome a new member: for the first time, a larger 12.9-inch screen option will be offered, which will be the largest iPad Air ever. The 10.9-inch iPad Air will also be retained, giving consumers more choices.

In the past, if consumers wanted to choose a larger iPad, they could only spend a lot more money to choose the iPad Pro. The launch of the new 12.9-inch iPad Air provided a more “affordable” choice for big-screen entertainment parties.

Regarding this larger iPad Air, analyst Ross Young pointed out earlier that it is likely to be equipped with the same mini-LED panel as the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

As for the 10.9-inch version, since Apple doesn't have a mini-LED panel of this size in stock, it is expected to continue with the current LCD scheme.

Recently, however, Young changed his mind, believing that due to the high cost of mini-LED panels, the 12.9-inch and 10.9-inch iPad Air will continue to be equipped with LCD screens, which will also open the gap with the new iPad Pro that will soon be equipped with OLED.

Moment Digital also said that the “matte screen” mentioned above may not only be exclusive to Pro, but the iPad Air may also be equipped simultaneously.

In terms of processor configuration, the iPad Air is likely to continue the “backward generation” tradition of updates and is equipped with an Apple M2 chip. Although many users think that for this lightweight “Air” product, the M2 or even the M1 chip has a bit too much performance.

The new iPad Air will also continue to increase its imaging capabilities, using a redesigned raised camera module and a flash placed under the lens. Overall, it looks a bit like the iPhone X design has one less lens. The front camera is also expected to move to the long side like the iPad 10 and the new iPad Pro.

Extraordinarily wonderful accessories

In addition to the two iPads, Apple Pencil and Magic Control keyboard accessories are also expected to receive major upgrades.

Looking at the official preview released by Apple so far, Apple Pencil is even the “protagonist”: the most notable thing on the conference poster was that Pencil, and Apple CEO Cook personally tweeted the “Pencil” update.

If you ignore the Type-C version of the Apple Pencil, which had very limited upgrades last year, the Apple Pencil 3 brought at this conference is a major update after a lapse of 6 years.

Currently, the most rumored one is Apple Pencil's new “squeeze” gesture. The iPadOS 17.5 beta code shows that this squeeze gesture can be used for quick interactions, such as adding shapes, signatures, stickers, or text segments, by squeezing the surface of the Apple Pencil.

Combined with the conference slogan “Let Loose,” which originally meant “let go of your hand,” the new “squeeze” gesture feature of Pencil is simply out of the question.

The writing experience with Apple Pencil is already outstanding among its competitors, and the new Apple Pencil 3 could take it to the next level.

Mark Gurman reports that the new Pencil will be equipped with vibration feedback for the first time, bringing the stylus a writing experience closer to real pen and paper.

This vibration feedback may change with the different tools in the drawing app; for example, crayons will make the pencil's strokes thicker, while the pen will be sharper.

Apple's excellent level of vibration feedback tuning is obvious to all. Whether it's the iPhone 7's Home button or the feedback on the MacBook trackpad, it can be described as “false reality,” and I believe the vibration feedback of the new Apple Pencil won't disappoint.

Apple broke the news X tweeter @Majin Bu stated that the Apple Pencil 3 will also launch a “nib” with different shapes and functions, using magnetic adsorption to achieve quick replacement.

By contrast, the first and second generation Apple Pencils used screw-on nibs, and only one type of tip was available.

Apple Pencil may also be used on other Apple devices for the first time. In March, Apple applied for a patent to help Vision Pro wearers use some additional input devices. 9to5mac believes this patent is likely to be applied to the new Apple Pencil.

MacRumors also reported that Apple internally tested a new VisionOS-enabled Apple Pencil, which can be used with the drawing program in Vision Pro and has pressure and tilt sensitivity. This new product may be unveiled at an upcoming press conference.

The new Magic Keyboard is a new attempt at replacing a laptop with the iPad.

According to Mark Gurman, the front of the new Magic Keyboard will be made of aluminum, and the structure is stronger. It is expected to improve the current situation where the keyboard is prone to bending and breaking, and the trackpad will also be larger.

The back will continue to maintain the current silicone material, and a USB-C is still provided on the interface.

Gurman also said that with the iPad, the new Magic Keyboard will look more like a laptop overall. However, this new Magic Keyboard will probably no longer support iPad Air, only the new iPad Pro.

A product with limited possibilities but worth looking forward to

In the past three years, Apple has released new iPhone colors in March-April: the purple iPhone 12, the green iPhone 13 series, and the yellow iPhone 14/14 Plus, and this year's new color scheme will probably not be absent.

PRODUCT (RED) posted a tweet on X, and the media interpreted that it may be a teaser for the iPhone 15 to launch a red version soon.

Apple launched the red iPhone 7 with PRODUCT (RED) in 2017, and the two have continued to cooperate since then.

However, Apple hasn't tried to launch a new color scheme until May, and PRODUCT (RED) has never been announced before Apple releases a new color scheme, so we still need to wait and see if the red iPhone 15 actually exists.

There is another rumor that Vision Pro is likely to announce its upcoming launch in other countries at this press conference. According to some sources, Apple will host a special offline event in London on the day of the press conference, which will be held simultaneously with the online press conference. Some media speculate that Vision Pro will be demonstrated offline for the first time outside the US at this event.

If Apple were to announce the launch of Vision Pro in more countries and regions at the press conference on the 7th, according to previous reports and rumors, mainland China is likely to be among the first to launch it. Earlier, Apple CEO Tim Cook also said that the Bank of China Vision Pro will launch this year.

As for the new iPad Mini and entry-level AirPods, Mark Gurman said that they won't be available until later this year, so this press conference will mainly focus on the above two iPads and two accessory products, which is expected to take about half an hour.

Mark Gurman believes that at this “Let It Fly” press conference, Apple CEO Tim Cook is likely to announce new AI features as an “appetizer” for WWDC in June.

After canceling the car building plan, Apple made every effort to advance AI this year, which is reflected in their device strategy: the M3 MacBook Air was introduced as “the world's best consumer-grade AI notebook,” and the upcoming iPad Pro is Apple's first “fully AI-driven device,” and the beginning of Apple's AI device era.

Although Gurman believes that this statement is mainly a marketing statement, the iPad Pro is not a device mainly designed and developed around AI, and the AI features on the software will not be introduced until after WWDC.

But at least, at the upcoming May press conference, we may be able to get a glimpse of what Cook called “stand out” Apple-like AI.

Editor/Somer