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Apple iPad Pro (7th gen) coming on May 7: Rumored specs and what we want to see
Update, April 23, 2024 (04:07 PM ET): We have updated our iPad Pro (7th gen) rumor hub to include details about Apple’s “Let Loose” launch event announcement. A few other small changes ensure this guide stays as up-to-date as possible.
Original article: Apple currently has an extensive iPad lineup. You have the standard iPads, the iPad Air, the iPad Mini, and the iPad Pro. Clearly, Apple isn’t looking to streamline its tablet business anytime soon. And it has good reason not to. The company is currently the leader in the tablet market, with Samsung a distant second (but gaining in popularity). It is perhaps Apple’s prerogative to offer tablets at different price points to keep customers from switching over to the Android tablet side.
Nevertheless, it looks like Apple is on track to refresh its iPad Pro lineup soon. The iPad Pro (2024), also deemed the iPad Pro (7th generation), could be coming soon. Here’s everything we know.
Apple iPad Pro 7th gen: At a glance
- When might it come out? The iPad Pro 7th gen is expected to debut at Apple's "Let Loose" event on May 7, 2024.
- What new features could it have? You can expect the M3 SoC, an OLED display, and possibly MagSafe charging on the new iPad Pro.
- How much might it cost? The iPad Pro started at $799 this previous generation, but rumors say that there will be as much as a $700 increase, which would see the Pro models start at $1,500.
Will there be an iPad Pro (7th generation)?
All signs point to the existence of a new generation of iPad Pro tablets. The company reportedly had plans to start production for two models in the iPad Pro (7th generation) lineup in the first quarter of 2024. Apple typically announces new Pro iPads every one or two years. The previous generation of Apple M2-powered iPad Pros launched in 2022, so a 2024 launch for the next-generation iPad Pros seemed like a logical next step for the company. With Apple’s latest launch event scheduled for May, we might be just a few weeks away from getting treated to the latest iPads.
When might the iPad Pro (2024) release date be?
- Apple iPad Pro (1st generation): September 9, 2015
- Apple iPad Pro (2nd generation): June 5, 2017
- Apple iPad Pro (3rd generation): October 30, 2018
- Apple iPad Pro (4th generation): March 18, 2020
- Apple iPad Pro (5th generation): April 20, 2021
- Apple iPad Pro (6th generation): October 18, 2022
Apple is known for keeping its iPad release dates somewhat unpredictable. While the most recent iPad Pro (6th generation) arrived in October 2022, previous models have launched in various months, including March, April, September, and November.
Thankfully, we don’t need to speculate about the launch dates of the next-gen iPads. Apple has officially announced its “Let Loose” virtual event for May 7, 2024. We’re expecting the event to bring along the iPad Pro (7th generation), an update to the iPad Air lineup, and some exciting new accessories.
What specs and features could the iPad Pro (7th generation) have?
One of the key upgrades expected on the new iPad Pro (7th generation) is the use of OLED panels. Apple is reportedly planning low-temperature multi-crystalline oxide (LTPO) OLED screens for the 2024 iPad Pros. To lend further credence to this rumor, prominent Apple leaker Mark Gurman reiterated in his newsletter that he believes the next iPad Pro will be the first to sport OLED technology while also adding, “They are crisper and brighter and reproduce colors more accurately.”
Apple currently uses Mini LED-backlit LCD panels on its iPad Pro models, but switching to OLED could mean even better contrast and black levels on the new tablets. Add LTPO tech to the mix, and the seventh-gen iPad Pro could one-up the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra with a more power-efficient display.
As for the display size, the iPad Pro (7th generation) is expected to come in 11.1-inch and 13.1-inch variants, which will make them slightly bigger than the present iPad Pro variant. The information was separately reported by display analyst Ross Young and The Elec and later supported by Gurman.
Apple’s M2 silicon powers the current iPad Pros. The company has already refreshed its MacBook Pro lineup with the latest M3 silicon. So, it’s only natural to presume that the next iPad Pro generation will upgrade to the new M3 processor. The M3 chip promises a significant performance boost, offering faster speeds, a more powerful graphics processor, and improved energy efficiency.
This performance upgrade will be particularly noticeable for professionals who use their iPads for demanding tasks like video editing and 3D design, as well as for serious gamers. Notably, the M3’s improvements might be less evident for casual users, as the current iPad Pro’s M2 chip already offers exceptional performance for most users. Then again, Apple could also use an M2 Pro or M2 Max chip on the iPad Pro 2024. Those weren’t available when the previous Pro iPads launched.
Apple could also equip the 2024 iPad Pro with support for MagSafe charging, as per MacRumors. It could also offer a bumped-up storage version going up to 4TB in storage. The front camera could also be moved to the side to make it more usable in landscape orientation.
Alongside the new iPad, Apple could also launch a new Magic Keyboard (with a larger trackpad) and an Apple Pencil 3 with interchangeable magnetic tips.
What could the iPad Pro (7th generation) price be?
- Apple iPad Pro (1st generation): $599 starting (9.7-inch), $799 starting (12.9-inch)
- Apple iPad Pro (2nd generation): $646 starting (10.5-inch), $799 starting (12.9-inch)
- Apple iPad Pro (3rd generation): $799 starting (11-inch), $999 starting (12.9-inch)
- Apple iPad Pro (4th generation): $799 starting (11-inch), $999 starting (12.9-inch)
- Apple iPad Pro (5th generation): $799 starting (11-inch), $1,099 starting (12.9-inch)
- Apple iPad Pro (6th generation): $799 starting (11-inch), $1,099 starting (12.9-inch)
The 2022 iPad Pro started at $799 for the base 11-inch model and $1,099 for the 12.9-inch variant. Those were the same prices the company had for the 2021 iPad Pro base models. One would expect Apple to stick to the same prices for the iPad Pro 2024 lineup, but that might not be the case. Smartphone and tablet makers are increasingly pushing up rates to improve profitability owing to a worldwide market decline. Considering this, we might see more expensive iPad Pro models in 2024.
In fact, a report from The Elec suggests we could see iPad Pro prices go up by as much as $700. That would make the 11-inch model cost around $1,500 and the 13-inch variant around $1,800. And these are prices for the base models. The top-of-the-line iPad Pro (7th generation) with 2TB storage could very well breach the $3,000 mark.
Should you wait for the iPad Pro (2024)?
The current iPad Pro lineup is pretty powerful. There’s a lot to like about the tablets, including their laptop-beating performance, great display, booming speakers, and more. You can read our iPad Pro (6th generation) review and see for yourself that it’s the very best iPad in this day and age.
But should you be okay paying a premium for the 2024 iPad Pro, you can hold off your purchase. With rumors suggesting a significant display and performance upgrade, the iPad Pro (7th generation) will likely be leaps ahead of the current generation. That said, there’s still a lot we don’t know about the upcoming slates, including information on the battery, charging, cameras, and more. Some of those aspects left us wanting when we reviewed the 2022 iPad Pro.
Since the new iPad Pro is expected to launch in a few weeks, it is better to wait for its launch before making a purchase decision.
We don’t know if Apple will continue selling the older iPad Pro, but you could possibly get it at a discount through a stock clearance sale. But if you have an urgent need and an impressive iPad is what you’re after right now, you already have the option of buying the iPad Pro (6th generation)$786 at Amazon.
iPad Pro (7th generation): What we want to see
Faster charging and wireless charging
Apple was expected to bring wireless charging to the 2022 iPad Pros, but that didn’t happen. We’re hoping to see the feature on the iPad Pro (7th generation) tablets. Not only would wireless charging be a welcome upgrade, but we would also like to see reverse wireless charging on tablets. Wouldn’t it be great to use all that surface area to charge AirPods and iPhones?
Even the regular wired charging on the Pro iPads could use an upgrade. It takes well over two hours to charge the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and that’s just not cutting it in a world where the 11,200mAh battery of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra charges in just over an hour.
Better camera placement
The cameras on the current iPad Pro are placed on the shorter side of the tablet. That means they awkwardly come to the left of the screen when the tablet is placed in landscape mode. We hope Apple changes that and puts the cameras on the longer side so they’re better to use for things like video calls.
Great display across sizes
The 12.9-inch iPad Pro delivers a stunning visual experience with its Liquid Retina XDR display and mini-LED technology. Sadly, the 11-inch model doesn’t share this same high-end display, creating a noticeable difference when compared to the vibrant AMOLED panels found in Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 series.
Now that we have rumors hinting that Apple might bring OLED displays to the iPad Pro lineup, we hope that this upgrade won’t be limited to the larger model, giving the 11-inch iPad Pro a much-needed display upgrade. At the very least, if OLED remains exclusive to the 12.9-inch version, the smaller iPad Pro should move up to mini-LED to offer a more comparable visual experience.