Apple's iPad Pro M3 is expected to launch in just a matter of weeks, as one of two new iPads for early 2024.
The M3 iPad Pro is tipped for launch alongside an all-new iPad Air 6 at the 'Let Loose' event on May 7. While rumors of a major overhaul are scant, we are expecting new Apple silicon in the M3 chip, and a stunning new OLED display.
Apple's iPad Pro remains the company's biggest and best iPad for graphic design, viewing content, music production, video and photo editing, and anything else you can think of. With its expansive displays and powerful core, the iPad Pro is the most portable processing power you can get from Apple without buying a Mac.
With a new one just around the corner, here's everything we know so far about Apple's iPad Pro M3.
iPad Pro M3: The headlines
- What is it? The next iPad Pro refresh with upgraded specs and an OLED display
- Release date: Week of May 6, 2024 (expected)
- Features: M3 chip, OLED display, landscape camera, weight reduction
iPad Pro M3: Models
Just like recent iPad Pro models, the 2024 refresh is expected to come in two different sizes with various configuration options available for each.
The current expectations are that we will see 11- and 13-inch versions while both will also get Wi-Fi and cellular options, with Mark Gurman recently revealing four codenames for future models, indicating the two sizes and aforementioned Wi-Fi and Cellular configurations.
The sizes of the 2024 OLED iPad Pros will differ slightly from the previous generation, whether that means a larger display or just a slightly wider frame, we're not sure yet.
Beyond that, each model will likely also be offered in multiple storage configurations while Space Gray and Silver versions of each will be available for people who like to make sure their tablet matches their particular aesthetic.
Beyond extra connectivity options and more storage, all of the new iPad Pros will likely use the same M3 chip, although the exact configuration of that chip hasn't been confirmed yet.
Regulatory database leaks in early April seem to confirm that Apple indeed has four new iPads in store for the May release window, which would indicate two new iPad Pro models, the 11-inch and 13-inch models, as well as two iPad Air 6 sizes.
In April, Apple's OLED iPad upgrade was confirmed along with the fact that there are four total models, 11- and 13-inches, with cellular and Wi-Fi options, in the code of iPadOS 17.5.
iPad Pro M3: Release date and price expectations
iPad Pro M3: Release date
While it's often difficult to pin down release dates for Apple products, recent reports hint at a spring 2024 release with LG and Samsung working on the displays. A report from January by The Elec said production was imminent, so we fully expect a first-half of 2024 release for the OLED iPad Pros.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, reporting in late March, says that the new OLED iPad Pro and refreshed iPad Air tablets are now tipped for May and that manufacturing has started.
Most recently, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has narrowed down his launch window to a release on "the week of May 6." This comes after a one-month delay to the product. In mid April, case manufacturers started selling cases for the new iPad Air 6 and the iPad Pro M3 in anticipation of its launch.
Gurman's report looks to be coming true, as Apple has announced a 'Let Loose' event on May 7, where we're expecting to see the M3 iPad Pro, 12.9-inch iPad Air, and Apple Pencil 3.
iPad Pro M3: Price
As for pricing, rumors of iPhone 15 Pro price hikes suggest that Apple could bump the price of the iPad Pro as well. The 11-inch model currently starts at $799, while the 12.9-inch version starts at $1,099. Some rumors claim that Apple's new tablets could start at an eye-watering $1,500 due to the new display technology they will use. But that might well depend on the current global economic situation closer to release day. Other reports claim Apple could keep a similar price to the M2 iPad Pro models, and if that's the case, this would be a huge win for consumers.
Those starting prices will obviously increase as more storage is added to each model, while buyers of tablets equipped with cellular radios can expect to pay around $200 more.
While not going so far as to confirm that $1,500 price tag, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported in April that the iPad Pro "will likely come in at higher price points" because of the expected upgrades.
2024 iPad Pro: Processor
If everything goes according to the leaks we've seen to date, the new 2024 iPad Pros will ship with Apple's M3 chip inside. Those same chips power the new 2023 iMac and 14-inch MacBook Pro, as well as the new M3 MacBook Air.
The M3 chips feature eight CPU cores and 10 GPU cores, just like the M2, and are built on a new 3nm manufacturing process from TSMC. This allows for improved performance, better thermals, and lower power usage. It also features hardware-accelerated ray-tracing for premium gaming performance.
2024 iPad Pro: Design and display
iPad Pro M3: OLED Display
The iPad Pro M3 refresh isn't expected to bring with it a huge change in the way the tablet looks, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The tablet already has small borders and the bezels are only set to get a little thinner. But the display itself is set to undergo quite a revamp.
Rumors of new OLED iPad Pros have been around for months and the new displays could be the biggest change beyond that new M3 chip. The benefits of an OLED iPad Pro include improvements to battery life, potentially thinner and lighter tablets, and improved contrast and color reproduction. We might also see better viewing angles from this generation of iPad Pros as well, although the current models aren't particularly poor in that regard already.
The move to an OLED display won't negatively affect ProMotion, with the 120Hz variable refresh rate expected to stay. It may even be improved, with the new technology potentially allowing the display to refresh even more slowly, saving battery life as a result.
In April, iPadOS 17.5 code from the beta revealed that there is firmware present for OLED displays coming to four new iPads.
Bezels and size
In March, a leaker reported that the new iPad will have the thinnest bezels of an iPad Pro ever, and that there would be new matte finish options alongside the current glossy version. This could reduce display glare and make the iPad feel more natural for artists and drawing when using the Apple Pencil.
Interestingly, rumors claim that the 12.9-inch model will grow to 13 inches, but the 11-inch version isn't expected to get any larger. Leaked CAD files in March revealed exactly how big the new OLED iPad Pro will be. The new 11-inch model will measure a slightly larger 249.70mm x 177.51mm, compared to 247.6mm x 178.5mm for the current M2 model. Likewise, the larger model will be 281.5mm x 215.5 mm compared to 280.6mm x 214.9mm for the M2 version.
iPad Pro M3: Camera
Apple's iPad Pro currently sports a dual-camera system on the rear featuring a 12MP wide lens and a 10MP Ultra wide camera. On the front, there's a 12MP TrueDepth camera for Portrait selfies, FaceTime, and videoconferencing.
This year, Apple is expected to bring the design change from its entry-level tablet, the iPad 10, by placing the front-facing camera at the top of the iPad in landscape mode, rather than portrait. This move will lend itself more to using the iPad in landscape mode for calls just like a MacBook, rather than in portrait mode like an iPhone. It's a long-awaited change that makes the most sense for nearly all of Apple's larger iPads, especially the Pro.
iPad Pro M3: MagSafe
MagSafe charging is currently reserved for Apple's best iPhones. It's a magnetic charging array that lines up your charger perfectly with a MagSafe charging puck, dock, or battery back. This year, Apple could add MagSafe, or at least wireless charging, to the iPad Pro. Several years ago this was reported as a prospect for the 2022 iPad Pro. In December, it was reported that the M3 version could debut MagSafe in 2024. This would enable wireless charging at up to 15W via Apple's MagSafe puck, as well as Magnetic support for docks and iPad stands.
iPad Pro M3: RAM and Storage
In terms of storage, new rumors claim that a whopping 4TB storage option could be added, doubling the current 2TB maximum. It isn't clear whether that will mean the loss of the base 128GB storage option to maintain a five-capacity lineup, however.
The extra storage could be a boon for creative people whose workflows use huge amounts of storage, although it's unlikely most people will need 4TB in their iPad.
When it comes to RAM, rumors have been sparse. Most iPad Pros come with 8GB today, with that increasing to 16GB on the 1TB and 2TB models. We'd expect a similar split with the 2024 models as well.
iPad Pro M3: Accessories
It's highly likely that the iPad Pro M3 will debut alongside the new Apple Pencil 3, as well as a new upgraded Magic Keyboard.
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes that the new keyboard will make the iPad Pro more like a laptop than ever thanks to a new metal design. That change should make the new Magic Keyboard a much sturdier affair than the old one but Gurman says the exterior shell will retain the same cover material as the outgoing model.
The bad news? The Magic Keyboard is already expensive at $300, but Gurman believes there's a chance the new metal build could make the updated version even more costly.
