Here’s what to expect from the “Let Loose” campaign

Apple plans to hold its next product reveal on May 7 at 10 a.m. ET, a few weeks before its Worldwide Developers Conference. While the company, as usual, is a little coy about what’s available, the signs are there. Rumors have been circulating for months that Apple will refresh its iPad lineup in May. Sure enough, the picture in the “Let Loose” event announcement included an illustration of a hand holding an Apple Pencil, pointing to the release of the iPad Pro.

Various reports in recent months have given us some insight into Apple’s secrets. So, with that in mind, here’s what to expect from the upcoming iPad events:

M3 (or M4?) iPad Pro

It’s been about 18 months since Apple updated its iPad, so it’s time for an update to its tablet line. Until recently, everyone was expecting Apple to put the M3 chip into the latest iPad Pro models, since the latest versions run on the M2 chipset. However, BloombergOn April 28, Mark Gurman said that the iPad Pro is likely to be launched together with the next-generation M4. Gurman wrote: “I believe Apple will position this tablet as the first truly AI-powered device and that it will promote every new product as an AI device from that point on.”

Beyond that, Gurman said the biggest update is expected to come in the form of an OLED display. This will bring richer colors and deeper blacks to iPad Pro.

Since OLED panels are thinner than LCD panels, Apple can reduce the thickness of the iPad Pro.according to Apple Computer from 9 to 5The 11-inch iPad Pro is expected to be 0.8 mm thinner, reaching 5.1 mm, while the 12.9-inch model will be even slimmer, with the thickness expected to drop by 1.5 mm to 5 mm. One leaker suggests the bezels may also be 15% thinner than previous models.

Rumors that Apple may launch a glass-backed iPad Pro this year that supports MagSafe charging have been circulating for some time. Meanwhile, there are signs that Apple will address one of the iPad’s biggest problems and move the front-facing camera to the sideways edge of the Pro, just like it did with the entry-level iPad in late 2022. The position is better for those who use Magic Keyboard or just prefer landscape orientation.

M2 iPad Air

As for the iPad Air, which has been stalled by Apple for more than two years, it is expected to upgrade from the M1 chip currently used in the tablet to an M2 chip. Rumor has it that Apple will use an older chip in the iPad Air to differentiate it from the Pro model and ensure that the latter device remains clearly its highest-end tablet. There are reports that the front lens of the iPad Air has also been fortunately moved to the horizontal edge.

We’re expecting another big change for the iPad Air, and I mean that in the most literal sense. Apple is rumored to be preparing the first 12.9-inch iPad Air. It’s probably the cheapest option among the big-screen iPads, although that somewhat belies the “Air” part of the name.

Display analyst Ross Young previously said that the 12.9-inch iPad Air screen would be equipped with a mini-LED display, but that no longer seems to be happening – at least for now. However, Young said Apple may release an iPad Air equipped with such a display later this year. Meanwhile, the new iPad Air models may have a larger camera bump, perhaps so Apple can add a flash.

New Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil

Gurman reported last year that Apple was developing an improved Magic Keyboard, but only for the iPad Pro and not the Air series. The updated keyboard is said to make the iPad Pro look more like a laptop and comes with a larger trackpad. It’s said to be made of aluminum, making it sturdier than previous models, although “the Magic Keyboard’s casing will retain the current model’s casing material,” Gurman said.

Additionally, Apple is expected to launch a new Apple Pencil to replace the second-generation model. Data prospectors suggested that the newer peripheral could include squeeze gestures to perform certain actions and have “Find My” support. Some reports suggest that the next-generation Apple Pencil will also work with the Vision Pro drawing app.

What not to expect: a new iPad or iPad mini

Although the iPad mini in particular is already outdated (the latest model was released in September 2021), you probably shouldn’t expect a new model to show up at the Let Loose event. We’re not looking forward to seeing a new base iPad. There are reports that the 11th generation iPad and updated iPad mini may arrive later this year, but maybe don’t hold your breath.

Updated April 30 at 11:35 a.m. ET: This story has been updated since publication to include additional information from Bloomberg The new iPad Pro may be equipped with an M4 chip.