Apple has unveiled its latest iPad Pro. As predicted, the 12.9-inch version of the top-end tablet boasts a cutting-edge Liquid Retina XDR (Mini LED) display. That’s good news for filmmakers who want to create and edit Dolby Vision HDR video. There’s also Apple’s new M1 processor, which Cupertino claims will deliver a “50%” jump in performance compared to the previous iPad Pro. The new 11in iPad Pro, by contrast, has to make do with a normal Liquid Retina display.
The speed bump should help power the 12.9-inch slate’s Liquid Retina XDR screen, which features 10,000 Mini LEDs for a peak brightness of 1600nits and a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. Apple says it’s the very same XDR tech featured in the firm’s pricey Pro Display XDR monitors. Nice.
There’s also a new 12MP ultra-wide TrueDepth camera with a 120-degree field of view. The camera uses machine learning for something called ‘Centre Stage’, which follows your position around the room, keeping you centered, and automatically zooming out when others enter the scene.
Talking of which, Apple’s LiDAR camera now supports Smart HDR thanks to that beefy M1 processor. That should make it easier to create Hollywood-style green screen special effects complete with realistic shadowing.
Design-wise the iPad Pro 2021 looks an awful lot like its predecessor, complete with a “100 percent recycled” flat-sided aluminium enclosure. Four speakers and Apple’s “best-ever” studio quality mic array should ensure you can make yourself heard in noisy environments.
As expected, the iPad Pro 2021 is the first iPad to support 5G. The high-speed connectivity could come in handy for those who work remotely. Apple has also blessed its high-end tablet with support for Thunderbolt and USB-C with USB4. Last but not least, the 12.9-inch model is available with a whopping 2TBs of storage – enough space to stash around 220 hours of 4K HDR video content.
So, when you can buy this “giant leap forward”? Both iPad Pros will be available to preorder from 30th April, and begin shipping from the second half of May.
The 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 costs from £749 ($799, AU$1199) for the Wi-Fi model and £899 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. The12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at £999 ($1099, AU$1649) for the Wi-Fi model and £1499 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
Tuesday’s grand unveiling also saw Apple take the wraps off the Apple TV 4K 2021, Apple Podcast Subscriptions, a new iPhone 12 in purple and AirTags, a location tracker that clips to your rucksack.
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