2018 iPad Pro has been announced and it appears that most of the rumors were true.
Over at the media event in Brooklyn today, Apple announced the new iPad Pro models, which don’t feature a Home button, support Face ID, and replace the Lightning port with USB-C.
The new iPad Pro models have Liquid Retina LCD screens with rounded corners, front-facing 7 megapixel TrueDepth cameras with Face ID support, a 12 megapixel rear-facing camera with flash, stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, and Apple’s own A12X Bionic processor. The screen resolution comes in at 3.98 million pixels at 364 ppi at 2388 x 1668.
This also marks the very first iPad model that lacks a Home button, instead replacing this with Face ID, like the iPhone X and newer iPhone models.
Unlike the iPhone, the bezel doesn’t feature a notch, and uses a 5.9mm thick bezel on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, as opposed to a standard 6.9mm bezel.
Apple says the new A12X Bionic process is 35% faster than the previous iPad Pro, and multi-core processing is up to 90% faster. It also features in a 7-Core GPU that’s 1,000 times faster than the first generation iPad Pro. The new iPad Pro also includes Apple’s new Neural Engine chip.
Storage maxes out at 1 TB, while the USB-C port can be used for charging, accessories, and 5K video out. Apple says you can even charge your iPhone from your iPad Pro
The updated iPad Pro support the Apple Pencil 2, and also includes a magnetic attachment on the side to hold the stylus, and provides wireless charging.
Apple is also introducing a new Smart Keyboard cover that attaches in portrait and landscape mode. That lets you type with a real keyboard with the display in either orientation.
Where wireless data is concerned, the new model features Gigabit LTE and eSIM support. The new iPad Pro also includes upgraded speakers with tweeter and woofer pairs in each corner.
The new iPad Pro models are available with 12.9-inch and 11-inch screens. with 64 GB, 256 GB, 523 GB, and 1 TB storage options. Pricing for the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $749 and the 12.9-inch model starts at $999. Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus LTE models are available. Pre-orders start today, and they’ll be available on November 7th.
The Smart Keyboard Folio cover is priced at $179 for the 11-inch model, and $199 for the 12.9-inch model. Apple is also keeping the 10.5-inch iPad Pro around with pricing starting at $649.
Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.
Via The Mac Observer