Apple event live: New iPad Pro, Air, and Pencil as it happened from May 7 'Let Loose' event
What's coming in the latest Apple event?
- OLED iPad Pro — M3 and a major display upgrade expected!
- iPad Air 6 — Apple's thinnest and lightest tablet gets a new processor!
- Apple Pencil 3 — Or should we say Apple Pencil Pro?
Stay tuned as we cover all the latest iPad news LIVE from Apple's Let Loose event.
So now we've finally seen everything that the Let Loose show in London had to offer, from the new iPad Air 13-inch to the Apple Pencil Pro. The showroom is empty now and the hands-on meetings with the newest iPads are underway — and while there won't be anything new now, there's still stuff going on for us to regale you with!
We've seen pretty much everything we expected from the show, with the new OLED displays for the iPad Pro M4, as well as the 13-inch iPad Air 6. The Apple Pencil 3 got a new name in the Apple Pencil Pro, replete with new gestures and a haptic motor inside.
While the event is over, there's still plenty of stuff to talk about — so make sure you stick around with us for the rest of the day!
What was announced?
The first new device we saw at the event was the iPad Air 6, which will now come in a new size. There's now a 13-inch model, giving you more screen real estate. That's going to be a massive boon for people who want the larger screen of the iPad Pro 13-inch, but don't want to spend the extra dollars on the most expensive model. The camera has also moved to the horizontal side of the device for improved face time, and there are new colors to match.
Then came the new iPad Pro M4 models, where both sizes received updates. The biggest was the brand-new Ultra Retina XDR, which brings OLED displays to the iPad Pro line for the first time. They also skipped the M3 chip, instead bringing the M4 chip to the table that will run the display better and prepare everything for Apple's AI push.
Finally, the Apple Pencil Pro rounded out the announcements. That's going to have new gestures thanks to some new sensors, including a squeezing sensor that will let you squeeze the Pencil for some contextual menus and options. There's a new haptic motor as well so that the Pencil can tell you when gestures have been registered.
Beyond that, there was a new Magic Keyboard made out of aluminum for the iPad Pro, to bring it closer than ever to a touchscreen MacBook.
When is the Let Loose event?
It's already happened!
How can I watch the Let Loose Event?
You can't watch the event live anymore as it's already happened, but you can watch a recording of it on YouTube.
Here we go!
The day is here, and we’re ready to go! What Apple launch today are you most excited about? Let us know in the forum! And don’t forget to stick around for the rest of the day, we’re going to be posting about all the latest rumors, news, and event content.
It's finally here!
Good morning, everyone, the wait is finally over! After more than 500 days without a new iPad, Apple is expected to deliver not one but two fantastic new tablets at its Let Loose event today. Our very own Editor-in-Chief Gerald Lynch will be live from Battersea in London, with the rest of the iMore team back at base. Don't forget the event today starts at an unusual time (for an Apple event, that is). Proceedings kick off at 7 am PT, 10 am ET, or 3 pm BST, so don't get caught out!
The morning's news
First up on iMore today, we'll be taking you through all the biggest news from overnight and the hours running up to the event. Stories in the pipeline include an exciting Apple Pencil "Pro" leak, a cool eraser feature on Apple's website, and some exciting foldables beyond 2024. Stay tuned.
While you wait:
While you're waiting for the iPad event to kick off, why not catch up on some of the biggest news stories from the weekend? First up: Apple is expected to unveil a new mystery iPhone 17 in 2025. Apple's regular iPhone 17 lineup will reportedly feature a Dynamic Island, but the headline change will be a new 6.6-inch iPhone 17 "Slim."
Apple 2024 Pride Collection:
On Monday, Apple announced its annual Pride Collection. 2024 brings new wallpapers for iPhone and iPad, as well as a stunning new Braided Solo Loop, available in 41mm and 45mm sizes for the Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 4, and beyond.
Apple's first foldable iPad?
If you're waiting for Apple's first foldable iPad, then unfortunately today's event will be a bit of a let down. However, Apple does have a foldable product of some descript tipped for a launch in 2025, followed by a foldable iPhone in 2026.
Blink and you'll miss it!
Apple has embraced pre-recorded event videos as its keynote delivery method of choice post-pandemic. Today is expected to be no different. According to reports, Apple's May 7 iPad event will last for just 35 minutes!
All-new eraser?
Apple's website now includes a funky interactive feature that lets users 'erase' the Apple logo from its home page, in a move almost certainly indicative of the Apple Pencil focus at today's event and possibly an update to the erase functionality of Apple Pencil. Could we get a new gesture? Or better yet, and eraser at the other end of the Pencil?!
Sonos takes aim at AirPods Max?
According to new leaks, Sonos is preparing to launch its brand new headphones aimed squarely at the AirPods Max. Leaked photos this week reveal the 'Ace' headphones' design, as well as some key features!
Get your cards ready!
It wouldn't be an Apple event with Basic Apple Guy's Apple Event Bingo. You know the drill.
Let Loose #AppleEvent Bingohttps://t.co/IpSMwR5U92 pic.twitter.com/NBzlwzDfWcMay 6, 2024
Last-minute leak!
Code found on Apple's website reveals the name of a new Apple Pencil Pro that could debut at today's event, could this be the Apple Pencil 3 we've been waiting for?
iPad Pro: Everything you need to know!
Just hours away, here's everything you need to know about the new iPad Pro 2024. Will it have M3 or M4? What about that OLED display upgrade? Read up on all the latest rumors ahead of Apple's event!
Same tbh:
#AppleEvent day ☺️🍎May 7, 2024
The current lineup:
How will Apple's announcements today affect the iPad lineup? As it stands we have an iPad 9, iPad 10, iPad mini, iPad Air 5, and an M2 iPad Pro. Expect Apple to replace those top two models today, replete with an all-new 12.9-inch iPad Air model. The bottom half of the range should remain unchanged, the new iPad mini 7 and iPad 11 are not expected until the second half of this year.
Apple x Rivian?
Is Apple turning to EV-maker Rivian as a potential vehicle partner? Supply chain murmurings Tuesday indicate Apple could be looking into a partnership with Rivian just months after the Apple Car project was reportedly canceled internally.
Big or small?
While both sizes of iPad Pro are expected to get the OLED treatment with the new 2024 upgrade, supply chain reports indicate that the 12.9-inch model is expected to be more popular despite its higher price tag. Previous iPad Pro generations have reserved the spicier mini-LED display for the 12.9-inch model, so OLED across both will make for a significant departure from the previous strategy.
New post: @Apple Expected to Announce OLED iPads on May 7th, LGD and 12.9” Dominating on SDC’s ChallengesKey takeaways:- New iPad Pro models expected in 11.1” and 12.9” with OLED displays.- OLED shift to drive significant market growth, with Apple leading in quality and…May 7, 2024
iPad Air 6: Everything you need to know
Want to know what to expect from the next iPad Air model? Here's everything you need to know about the 10-inch and brand-new 12.9-inch versions that could be revealed in the Let Loose event later today.
So about that 12.9-inch iPad Air...
The larger screen size has long been the territory of the more expensive iPad Pro, but almost every rumor about the iPad Air 6 points to a new, larger model releasing this year. That'll be fantastic for people who didn't want to spend Pro-iPad money, but still want a larger screen, be that for visibility and accessibility or just because they want to watch their favorite Apple TV+ show on a larger screen.
Which iPad are we most excited about?
Speaking personally (That's Tammy, at the moment), the new iPad Pros are what I'm most excited to see — I've been playing all my games on my OLED Steam Deck since that launched, so I can't wait to see what Apple do with the display technology! Those blacks, those popping colors... there's nothing quite like it. Which iPad are you looking forward to? Let us know in the forum!
Don't buy an iPad yet, just give it a couple of hours
There are more reasons not to buy an iPad when we're about to have an event than 'the new ones are going to be more powerful!', and we've talked them all through in our 'Now is the absolute worst time to buy an iPad' piece — if you're thinking of picking up a new iPad in the next hour or so, then you'll want to give it a read.
Apple Pencil 3: Everything you need to know
The Apple Pencil 3 (or Pro, as it may now be known) is on the docket for reveal over the event today — and we've found all the latest rumors and information and put them together so that you can see what it's going to look like.
Will we learn anything new about Apple's AI push in "Let Loose"?
Most likely not, although the man in charge, Tim Cook, said that the company remains "very bullish about our opportunity in generative AI". Again, we're not expecting much today, although WWDC 2024 in about a month will likely have more information.
Hello London, we have arrived!
iMore is now coming at you live from the show itself — Gerald has just landed in Battersea! We'll be sharing everything from the event as we see it, so stay tuned for more information as we get it.
iMore is in the building
That's iMore breaching Apple HQ, ready to learn more about the latest and greatest iPad models and the new Apple Pencil. Stay tuned for more as we enter the depths of Apple's UK Flagship location!
A Vision Pro surprise?
As denizens of the UK, we've long been waiting for the European and UK release of the Vision Pro headset — given that this event is happening here across the pond, can we hold out hope there might be a surprise Vision Pro announcement?
We're in
iMore is on location, getting comfortable at the event here at the London Apple HQ. That's one mighty big screen! Only half an hour to go until it bursts into life and shows us those iPads...
The Apple Store app is down in preparation for new products
As always before an event and new products, the Apple Store is down — although at the moment, its only the Apple Store app. The store remains open online — for now.
The screen, it... moves!
Apple's graphics for these events are always stunning, but the brushstrokes that dominate the show this time round are something else. It also shows where Apple's focus is for this event — The Apple Pencil!
Only fifteen minutes to go!
We're closing in on the event proper, and it's starting to get busier in the event hall here in London. We're looking forward to getting started!
Catch up on the action so far:
It's been a busy day so far as the "Let Loose" event has loomed large this afternoon: Here's everything you might have missed over the last few hours!
- Apple Store goes down
- How to watch Apple's "Let Loose" event
- Apple Pencil Pro could be surprise entry in last-minute iPad event leak
- Forget the M3 iPad Pro, Apple's first foldable is tipped to be a 20.3-inch hybrid device
- iPad Air 6: Everything you need to know
- iPad Pro M3: Everything you need to know
- Apple Pencil 3: Everything you need to know
Five minutes to go!
There are only five minutes to go now before the "Let Loose" event gets underway — here's how to watch the "Let Loose" event in case you missed it in the chaos of the day!
And we're off, with Apple Vision Pro!
It's not iPad first, but Vision Pro! Looks like Apple is working with Porsche on Apple Vision Pro at the moment, and it's being used to make the new 'Wicked' stage show adaptation.
MacBook Air is now the best-selling 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook
Now that's some good news for MacBook, as it storms the competition.
iPad Air first!
Looks like we're starting with iPad Air here, as Apple focuses on the uses of the cheaper tablet — including playing games like PUBG. That's a new iPad Air then!
That's a big iPad Air, isn't it...
The iPad Air reveal starts with a revelation — a redesigned 11-inch, and what Apple is calling a 13-inch iPad Air. It's been inspired by the larger iPad Pro, and has 30 percent more screen real estate than the 11-inch model.
The front-facing camera has been moved too, with the camera now appearing on the horizontal landscape edge of the iPad. More bass too — double, according to Apple. New colors as well — new blue and new purple, starlight and space grey.
M2 is going to be on the inside — 50% faster than the previous model, Apple says.
iPad Air and AI
So we're getting some AI news this time around — these new iPads have more power to be able to handle AI updates coming to the tablets.
New cases
We're getting a new keyboard case for the new iPad Air as well, with a new floating magic keyboard.
Double the storage, and available next week
The new iPads are coming with double the base storage, and they'll be available to preorder today. The 13-inch starts at $799 while the 11-inch will start at $599.
iPad Pro time!
Looks like there's a new design this time — the 11-inch Pro is 5.3mm thin, while the 13-inch is 5.1mm. New colors in recycled aluminum are Space Black and Silver.
It's now the bit we've been waiting for — The OLED panels of the new iPad Pro models. Apparently, they combine two OLED panels for what Apple is calling 'Tandem OLED' for 1000 nits brightness, and 1600 HDR peak brightness.
Ultra Retina XDR
Apple has given those fancy displays a new name — 'Ultra Retina XDR'. "It's like holding a cinema right in your hands" says Apple.
Nano-texture glass is coming as well, to make sure you can use your new iPad Pro wherever you are, no matter the brightness level of your surrounds.
Skipping M3!
Apparently, those screens required more power than M3 could pump out, so Apple is instead jumping up to M4 instead!
So now we're going to learn all about the new gen of M-series...
3nm production
M4 has a new display engine, so the new iPads can use those snazzy Ultra Retina XDR displays. 4 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores keep things smooth and powerful, while the 10-core GPU brings some pretty special extras.
Apple also says it can deliver the same performance as M2 while using half the power — that's pretty special.
The Neural Engine is also getting a boost, for AI in particular. It's got 16 cores, for 38 trillion operations per second. Those are some big numbers, and it's all coming to the iPad Pro!
4x faster than M2 iPad Pro
That's a big boost in performance! There are some updates for iPadOS as well, as well as some news around Pro apps for iPad.
Both Final Cut and Logic Pro for iPad are getting updates by the looks of things, with Final Cut 2 and Logic Pro 2. These are now built for touch.
Final Cut Pro 2
For one, Apple says it's going to be much quicker — but there's more.
Live multi-cam is going to let you watch video as it is shot from multiple different sources, using a new app for iPad and iPhone called Final Cut camera.
There's also support for 4x more streams than M1 thanks to M4.
Logic Pro 2 time!
Logic Pro 2 is getting some updates as well, with new features such as 'stem splitter', which splits a recording into different sections so that you can more easily remix music on your iPad.
iPad Pro cameras
There's a 12MP back shooter on the back of the iPad Pro — and it will use AI to remove shadows from documents that you photograph. That's coming to the iPadOS camera app, so it will work in multiple apps across the board.
New Magic Keyboard
This time round it's made out of more aluminum, so that it feels like you're using a MacBook. Perhaps, then, it's really looking to finally become the laptop replacement its always wanted to be?
Apple Pencil Pro
That's a new name! Well, one we heard this morning, at least. There's a lot to be excited about this time around — there's a new sensor in the barrel of the pencil for squeezing gestures, with haptics for feedback.
It charges through a magnetic connection to an iPad Pro as well, although nothing else about what other iPads it supports.
It'll support Find My as well, so you'll never lose it ever again*.
*(you still might, if it falls down a sofa and you can't get your fingers in)
Do a Barrel Roll!
Procreate just showed us loads of cool effects you can activate with a rolling gesture from the Apple Pencil — including sorting though brush effects.
There we go
Apple Pencil Pro will also work with the new iPad Air.
When can I get a new iPad Pro?
Well you'll get double the storage, but you'll pay $100 more for the new models. The iPad Pro 11-inch starts at $999, while the iPada Pro 13-inch starts at $1299. iPad 10th gen is going down to $349, while the Apple Pencil is going to cost $129.
Whew, what a show!
Well that was a lot to take in, wasn't it! We'll just go take a quick drink break, and then we'll do a quick roundup of all the information that we just learned during the event.
Right, let's have a quick recap — iPad Air first!
So the event is over, and we have a chance to breathe — and some fresh images from our man Gerald on the ground in London of the new iPad Air, in both its 11 and 13-inch forms!
Here's the lowdown on the iPad Air:
- There's a new 13-inch model to live alongside the 11-inch version
- They're based on the M2 chip for more power and better AI support
- They support the new Apple Pencil Pro
- There are four new colors — charcoal grey, light violet, denim, and sage.
- The front-facing cameras have been moved to a horizontal edge
- The sound has been improved for Spatial Audio, and features twice the bass
- They now feature Wi-Fi 6E for an even faster internet connection
- There's a new Magic Keyboard accessory
Both sizes are available to preorder now, and they'll start shipping May 15.
Next up, the iPad Pro... with M4!
While there were some rumors about M4 coming to the new iPad Pro models, it was still a surprise, wasn't it! Here's the rundown of the latest OLED iPad Pro models:
- They're going to be much thinner than before — the 11-inch is going to be 5.3mm thick, while the 13-inch is going to be 5.1mm.
- Two new finishes in the form of silver and space black.
- Both new colors will be made out of 100 percent recycled aluminum.
- New displays in both, with the 'Ultra Retina XDR'.
- The new displays will use two OLED panels put together in what Apple calls 'Tandem OLED'.
- The displays will have a brightness of 1000nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1600nits.
- Both models will receive nano-texture glass so that you can use the iPad in more lighting conditions.
- The tablets will be powered with M4, which can perform the same as M2 at half the power, and then boost up to be 1.5x faster than the last iPad Pro models.
- Built for AI with more power from the neural engine in the M4 chip.
- There's a new Magic Keyboard made out of aluminum so that the iPad Pro feels more like a MacBook than ever.
The iPad Pro models are going to be available to preorder today, and then they'll ship out on May 15. They've become more expensive as well, as the 11-inch now starts at $999 and the 13-inch at $1299. That's a big price bump, so let's hope that M4 and those OLED screens justify the price.
And finally, Apple Pencil Pro!
The last thing announced at the show, but the thing that Apple was making the most fuss about before the show, the Apple Pencil Pro has brought some snazzy new features to the stylus table:
- There's a new sensor in the barrel of the Apple Pencil Pro that can detect squeezes, and then a new haptic motor will confirm gestures.
- A gyroscope has been put in the Apple Pencil to enable movement gestures as well.
- "Barrel Roll" will "change the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools."
- Find My is included so that you never lose the Pencil again.
- It charges through a magnetic connection to the side of your iPad, and works with iPad Pro and the new iPad Air models.
Apple Pencil Pro will be available to preorder today, and then it will start shipping on May 15.
Magic Keyboard only for M4
Got your eye on that fancy new Magic Keyboard? You'll need to fork out for an M4 iPad Pro, as it doesn't support older models!
Nano-texture with a big price
The new iPad Pro M4 features an exciting nano-texture screen option. While this is only a $100 optional extra for customers, it's only available on the 1TB and 2TB models. That means you'll have to spend at least $600 more on storage before you've added nano-texture, making for a $700 increase.
iPad Air is no longer Apple's lightest tablet
Thanks to the OLED display and new design, the new iPad Pro is now lighter than the iPad Air. Make of that what you will...
Want to get the latest iPads when they launch?
We know just where you should be looking — although at the moment it's just the Apple Store. Not to worry, both of these pages will be updated as more retailers offer the iPad Air 6 and the iPad Pro M4 for preorder!
Want an Apple Pencil Pro as well?
We also know where to preorder one of those as well, so that you can make sure you get it as close to release day on May 15 as possible. Just remember it's only going to work with the latest iPads — only the iPad Air 6 and the iPad Pro M4
What was the best part of the show then?
Well, in my eyes (that's still Tammy, by the way), it was those OLED panels of the iPad Pro models — although those monstrous new price points sure do put me off. This is the most tempted I've ever been to pick up an iPad though...
One key takeaway...
The final lightning iPad, the iPad 9th generation is no more — the new budget option is the reduced iPad 10th gen, which costs $349 now instead of $429.
There's going to be no SIM card slot on the new iPads
Buying a new iPad with a cellular connection? There's not going to be a SIM card slot on the device, as it's going to use an eSim instead, according to MacRumors. That's much the same as the latest iPhone models if you remember, but it's no less annoying.
Apple missed something cool!
Gerald spotted a cool thing that Apple didn't mention at the show while having a play with the new iPads in a hands-on — there's a fake shadow that appears on the screen as you're using the Apple Pencil Pro so that you can better position the Pencil while you use it. Cool!
What's left on the Apple store that still has Lightning?
With the death of the 9th gen iPad, that leaves very few products with a Lightning connector. By our reckoning, that's the AirPods 2, the AirPods 3, the AirPods Max, the Magic Keyboard, and the Magic Mouse.
There's only one reason you should buy an iPad Air 6
News editor Stephen only has one reason why he'd buy an iPad Air 6 — and it's all down to that 13-inch option.
Still want an older iPad?
Then you'll need to head over to the refurbished section of the Apple Store. There, you'll find reduced prices on the iPad Air 5 and the M2 iPad Pro models, so that you can save money instead of getting the latest specs. That's the older 4th generation for the iPad Air, mind you.
What came out at the Apple event?
Want to know everything that Apple just announced at the Let Loose event? We've gathered together everything that Apple just announced in one helpful roundup so that you can see what was shown off.
With new life, there must come an end
So Apple announced loads of new stuff at the show — but its also killed some stuff on the Apple Store as well. From the Lightning connector in the iPad line to session musicians, Apple has been as ruthless as ever in its wiping out of what it sees as obsolescence.
And that's all, folks!
Well, it's been a great one, but team iMore has to sign off at some point. That's been me, Tammy, iMore's Senior Staff writer, Stephen iMore's newswriter, and pictures and some exclusive info have all come from our man on the ground Gerald Lynch, iMore's ever patient Editor in Cheif. Thanks for sticking with us, and be sure to check out all of our coverage of the Let Loose event!