Apple launches its M2 supercharged iPad Pro that starts at $799

Apple has officially launched its new, M2 supercharged iPad Pro that swaps the home button for a fingerprint reader and pairs with a next-level Apple Pencil.

The reveal included two tablets, an 11- and 12.9-inch, which are up to 15 percent faster than the 2021 model thanks to the new chip that was first featured in the latest MacBook Air.

The iPad Pro also delivers up to 35 percent faster graphics performance and includes a 16-core Neural Engine that can process 15.8 trillion operations per second, helping it keep up ‘with the most demanding workflow.’

The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 and the 12.9-inch at $1,099 – both can be ordered today and will be in stores on October 26.

Apple also introduced a new iPad, starting at $499, with an all-screen design that places the front-facing camera to the longer side of the device and the lightning port at the more widely used USB-C connection.

The 11-inch (front) iPad Pro starts at $799 and the 12.9-inch (back) at $1,099 – both can be ordered today and will be in stores on October 26

The reveal included two tablets, an 11- and 12.9-inch, which are up to 15 percent faster than the 2021 model thanks to the new chip that was first featured in the MacBook Air

 The reveal included two tablets, an 11- and 12.9-inch, which are up to 15 percent faster than the 2021 model thanks to the new chip that was first featured in the MacBook Air

Rumors of Apple dropping its upgraded iPad Pro this month flooded the internet yesterday suggesting it would happen in a matter of days, but it was actually in just a few hours.

The tech giant opted out of a live event and shared details of the iPad Pro on its website, highlighting that the tablet has ‘the world’s most advanced mobile display, pro cameras, Face ID, Thunderbolt, and a four-speaker audio system,’ the announcement reads.

The iPad Pro comes with the new iPadOS 16 pre-installed, which includes Stage Manager that offers easier multitasking and switching between apps. 

Along with being the first physical redesigns in years, new device is also the first to feature Apple’s new M2 chip that was just unveiled in June during a product event that launched new MacBook Air and Pro computers.

The launch also included a new Apple Pencil that pairs with the new iPad Pro

The launch also included a new Apple Pencil that pairs with the new iPad Pro 

The Apple Pencil can be detected up to one centimeter above the display. This tiny tweak will let users see a preview of their mark before they make it

The Apple Pencil can be detected up to one centimeter above the display. This tiny tweak will let users see a preview of their mark before they make it

The chip provides 50 percent more unified memory bandwidth than its predecessor and supports up to 16GB.

‘The performance of M2 turbocharges even the most demanding workflows, from photographers editing massive photo libraries and designers manipulating complex 3D objects, to healthcare professionals taking advanced imaging and analysis, to gamers enjoying graphics-intensive games,’ Apple shared in the announcement.

The Apple Pencil is also more advanced, as it can be detected up to one centimeter above the display.

This tiny tweak will let users see a preview of their mark before they make it.

The new iPad Pro also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is the only wireless standard that supports the new 6 GHz frequency band, making downloads ds up to two times faster than the previous generation.

The new 10.9-inch iPad, which also sees the home button replaced with a fingerprint reader, includes Apple’s A14 Bionic chip that launched in 2020, and is available in four new colors: blue, pink, yellow and silver. 

The iPad Pro also delivers up to 35 percent faster graphics performance and includes a 16-core Neural Engine that can process 15.8 trillion operations per second, helping it keep up 'with the most demanding workflow'

The iPad Pro also delivers up to 35 percent faster graphics performance and includes a 16-core Neural Engine that can process 15.8 trillion operations per second, helping it keep up ‘with the most demanding workflow’ 

Apple has officially launched its new, M2 supercharged iPad Pro that swaps the home button for a fingerprint reader

Apple has officially launched its new, M2 supercharged iPad Pro that swaps the home button for a fingerprint reader

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing said it was the ‘most advanced iPad lineup ever’.

Industry expert Paolo Pescatore, from PP Foresight, said the new devices were the latest example of Apple ‘flexing its proven strategy of broadening the portfolio of devices in each segment to cater for everyone’.

‘There is a device for everyone in each category, at different price points,’ he said.

He also praised the introduction of the USB-C connector on the iPad, saying it removed ‘complexity and fragmentation for users’.

But he warned that launching more gadgets as many people faced a rising cost of living was a risk for the tech giant.

‘It represents a real test of consumer appetite in forking out for these latest shiny devices,’ he said.

‘As well as the true power of Apple’s brand in a tough economic climate with everyone tightening their belts.’