Apple introduces new iPad Pro and iPad Air models with enhanced AI capabilities and larger displays

Apple Inc. has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-focused iPad Pro and a larger iPad Air, aiming to revamp a tablet lineup that has seen a decline in sales over the past two years. The new 13-inch iPad Pro boasts a depth of 5.1 millimetres, making it Apple’s thinnest product ever. The larger version is a quarter-pound lighter than its predecessor, while the 11-inch model weighs less than one pound.

At an online launch event dubbed “Let Loose,” Apple introduced the first redesigned version of the iPad Pro since 2018. The new model features a thinner design, a crisper Ultra Retina XDR screen with OLED technology, and a faster M4 chip capable of handling AI tasks. The new iPad Air resembles the previous version but offers a larger screen-size option and the M2 processor.

The unveiling marks the end of Apple’s longest drought in new iPad releases since the device was first introduced by co-founder Steve Jobs in 2010. The company is looking to boost iPad sales, which saw a 17% decline last quarter, missing analysts’ estimates. However, Apple is optimistic about a rebound in iPad revenue in the current period.

The new iPads are set to go on sale next week, with the 11-inch model starting at $999 and the 13-inch model at $1,299. Alongside the hardware updates, Apple also introduced premium accessories, including a new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. The company plans to make changes to the iPad mini by the end of the year.

Despite the decline in sales, the iPad remains the top-selling tablet globally, with Apple holding a 32% market share. The new models aim to attract consumers with improved specifications and a heftier price tag, making them Apple’s most expensive tablets yet.