‘Lighter than Air’: Apple unveils new iPad Pro with advanced display, M4 chip, and Apple Pencil Pro

Apple announced a line of new iPad tablets overnight and one detail about the latest design has left the tech world floored.

One detail in Apple’s latest product release has left the tech world floored with what it’s calling the “thinnest Apple product ever.”

Overnight Apple unveiled the latest version of the iPad Pro, with a thin, lightweight design.

And it appears the tech giant has hit its mark with one reviewer highlighting how the Pro is only marginally thicker than a piece of chewing gum.

Offered in only silver and space black, the iPad Pro is available in two sizes: a 13-inch model and a portable 11-inch version.

Apple on Tuesday announced a line of new iPad tablets. Picture: X/ Arun Maini

Both sizes feature the Ultra Retina XDR display, showcasing tandem OLED technology for an unparalleled visual experience.

John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering, said on Tuesday night (Australia time): “With the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, the next-level performance of M4, incredible AI capabilities, and support for the all-new Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, there’s no device like the new iPad Pro.”

Tech experts and reviewers shared their thoughts on the new iPad Pro, with a focus on its design and crisp display. Picture: X/ Arun Maini

The latest version of the iPad Pro uses a new chip called the M4, which is stronger than the one currently used for Apple’s laptops and ready to handle more power-hungry AI tasks, the company said.

The iPad Pro and ultralight iPad Air are the company’s first iPad releases in two years, ending Apple’s longest period without upgrades since it launched the tablet in 2010.

“Altogether, this new chip makes iPad Pro the most powerful device of its kind,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware technologies.

Apple is expected to make a series of more ambitious AI announcements at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10 in which the M4 chip could play a role.

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The release of the iPad Pro was complemented by new accessories, including the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. Picture: X/ Brian Tong

Tech commentator Brian Tong posted a video on X – formerly Twitter – that showed the tablet was millimetres thicker than its charging port, saying “it’s so freakin THIN”.

Joanna Stern, a senior personal tech columnist at the Wall Street Journal, shared an image of the iPad Pro undergoing the “stick of gum test” which showed just a marginal difference.

Reviewers at the launch were astonished but the weight and thickness. Picture: X/ iJustine

Apple iPad Pro is almost as thin as a piece of chewing gum. Picture: X/ Joanna Stern

Tech reviewer Noah Herman upped Tong calling it “crazily thin”.

Arun Maini offered his followers a look at the crisp display.

“The new iPad Pro 13 inch – shockingly, shockingly thin. But is it good? Finding out now,” he said.

Tech reviewer iJustine told followers on X she was impressed by the weight, design and the “nano texture display”.

“It’s incredibly light, I‘m shocked holding it,” she said in a video from the launch.

Tech writer Kris Holt called the Pro “literally lighter than Air” in a clever play on words.

“Sure, it’s just a name and it doesn’t matter that much,” he wrote.

“But at 1.03 pounds (467g), the original Air was nearly half a pound lighter than the iPad 4.

“The latest model is essentially the same weight, but it’s now heavier and chonkier than the iPad Pro, making Apple’s premium tablets literally lighter than Air.”

The iPad Pro’s release included new accessories.

The Apple Pencil Pro has a new feature called “Barrel Twist” that can enhance productivity for creative professionals. Picture: Apple

The Apple Pencil Pro offers enhanced interactions, while the thinner and lighter Magic Keyboard is packed with incredible features.

Australian tech expert for Nine, Trevor Long, also wrote favourable of the Apple Pencil. 

“Apple calls its new pencil rotation control Barrel Twist, which should have a huge impact on productivity for creative professionals,” he wrote. 

The new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil Pro, and Magic Keyboard are available for order today, with in-store availability starting May 15.

“iPad Pro empowers a broad set of pros and is perfect for anyone who wants the ultimate iPad experience – with its combination of the world’s best displays, extraordinary performance of our latest M-series chips, and advanced accessories – all in a portable design,” Mr Ternus said.

“Today, we’re taking it even further with the new, stunningly thin and light iPad Pro, our biggest update ever to iPad Pro.”

Apple’s latest iPad Air has seen a price increase of $70 as compared to its previous generation, and is now selling for $999.

The 2020 iPad Pro has a substantial price hike of $300 and is now available at $1699. Meanwhile, the entry-level iPad of the 10th generation has been reduced by $150 and is now priced at just $599.