Preview of Apple's spring launch event: iPad receives its first major upgrade in 18 months.

Key points

1. At the May 7th press conference, Apple is expected to release a new iPad Pro and an upgraded version of the iPad Air. 2. Accessories such as the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard will also see upgrades and improvements. 3. Upgrades for products such as the iPad mini, entry-level AirPods, and Mac may have to wait until later this year.

Tencent Technology News: According to foreign media reports, since Steve Jobs first introduced the iPad in 2010, it has been over 18 months since Apple last updated the iPad series, marking the longest interval in the history of iPad releases. However, this wait will finally come to an end on May 7th.

At that time, Apple CEO Tim Cook will personally unveil significant upgrades to the iPad Pro and iPad Air, and simultaneously release new versions of iPad accessories. This news will be announced through an online event called "Let Loose." Stay tuned for Tencent Technology's related live coverage.

A notable change for this event is the adjusted timing. Apple will broadcast the event at 7 a.m. Pacific Time on May 7th (10 p.m. Beijing Time), which is three hours earlier than previous events. This not only means that European fans can watch in real time during working hours, but more importantly, Chinese audiences can enjoy this tech feast before going to bed.

For the iPad business, this is undoubtedly a critical moment. After experiencing a surge in sales during the pandemic, demand has cooled off in the past two years. In particular, in the last quarter, iPad sales significantly declined, plummeting by 17%, far below analysts' expectations. However, Apple is confident that with the launch of new products, iPad revenue will rebound at this stage, and they are looking forward to the new models helping them regain consumer favor.

Unlike previous large-scale product launches, this event will not feature a grand live event at the company's headquarters in Cupertino, California. Instead, Apple will hold small hands-on experience events in New York and London, where media members will have the opportunity to watch the launch event via video and personally try out these devices.

The following are the highly anticipated new products at this launch event, as well as some products that may be unveiled later:

New iPad Pro and upgraded iPad Air

The star product of this launch event is undoubtedly the redesigned and more delicate screen of the new iPad Pro.

This iPad Pro will be the first to feature an OLED screen, a technology that has been exclusive to the iPhone since 2017. OLED screens not only significantly improve image quality but also allow devices to be thinner and lighter due to their unique lighting mechanism. Apple expects this to bring a thinner body to the Pro tablet.

The screen sizes of the new iPad Pro are 11 inches and 12.9 inches, and they may be equipped with Apple's first M4 processor. These powerful chips will help drive various artificial intelligence tasks, which is also part of Apple's broader artificial intelligence strategy that they will further explain in June.

In addition to the iPad Pro, Apple's mid-range tablet iPad Air will also receive an update on Tuesday.

One major highlight of this update is that Apple will introduce a second, larger screen option for the first time. The all-new 12.9-inch version will be comparable in size to the iPad Pro, providing consumers with a more affordable option to enjoy the convenience of a large-screen tablet. Meanwhile, the current 10.9-inch version will continue to be available to meet the needs of different consumers.

Both models of the iPad Air are likely to be upgraded to the M2 chip, which Apple first introduced for the MacBook Air in 2022, providing users with a smoother user experience.

Updated Accessories

The Apple Pencil will play a significant role at Tuesday's event, as Apple has already mentioned this accessory in the event invitation.

The improved Apple Pencil will feature haptic feedback, simulating a vibration effect when users operate the stylus, providing a more realistic writing and drawing experience. Additionally, users may also be able to perform specific tasks by squeezing the stylus, further enhancing the convenience of operation.

The last update for this stylus was in 2023 when Apple released a new low-end version. The new Apple Pencil being released this time will replace the high-end version introduced in 2018, becoming a powerful assistant for users.

In addition to the Apple Pencil, Apple will also release an upgraded version of the "Magic Keyboard." This keyboard can serve as a protective case for the iPad, while also incorporating a keyboard and a small trackpad. The new Magic Keyboard is expected to use more durable aluminum materials, making the iPad look more like a real laptop. Furthermore, in response to user feedback about the current version being prone to malfunction after a few months of use, the new Magic Keyboard will also undergo corresponding improvements.

Later Updates

Apple is developing a low-cost version of the 10th generation iPad, aiming to provide consumers with a more affordable option. Currently, the price of this model is $449, but Apple intends to adjust its price to be closer to the level of the 9th generation model, which is around $329, gradually phasing out the old version. However, this strategic adjustment is not expected to be officially implemented until the end of this year at the earliest.

Apple also plans to release a completely upgraded iPad mini. This product, which has been highly anticipated since its update in 2021, will be equipped with a more powerful processor. However, the new iPad mini will not make an appearance at Tuesday's event.

For the iPad Pro series, Apple plans to introduce a range of new artificial intelligence features, but this update will be officially released at the global developer conference in June. At that time, Apple will also simultaneously release iPadOS 18, providing users with a more intelligent and convenient operating experience.

In terms of audio devices, Apple is also set to release an improved version of the low-end AirPods, but these new headphones will be launched in the fall alongside the new iPhone.

Finally, Apple's Mac computer series is not expected to be the focus of this event. The iPad Pro may adopt Apple's own M4 chip, which will also be used for Mac computers, but the new Mac is not expected to be released until later in 2024.