The new iPads announced at Apple’s “Let Loose” event are now available -- and some configurations are even on sale at Amazon. The new iPad Air comes with an M2 chip, while the new iPad Pro has an OLED display and packs the brand-new M4 chip. Both are available in 11- and 13-inch size options. If you don’t need all that power, Apple has eliminated the 9th-gen standard iPad from the lineup (though you can still grab one for cheap while supplies last) and dropped the price of the colorful 10th-gen iPad by $100. There’s a lot to get to, so let’s dive in.
iPad Air (M2)
The iPad Air is the middle child of the lineup. It offers a good deal more power than the baseline iPad, thanks to the speedy M2 chip, which debuted in the 2022 MacBook and still packs plenty of power. That means it’s good for more demanding computing tasks like photo and video editing, but it doesn’t cost as much as the super-powered iPad Pros below.
For the first time, the 2024 iPad Air comes in two sizes: the standard 11 inches from the previous model, plus a new bigger 13 inch version, which offers 30% more screen space. That makes it better for things like using multiple apps in Split View, or drawing with the new Apple Pencil. And because many of these tasks are best used in a landscape orientation, Apple has added landscape stereo speakers and moved the FaceTime camera to the longer edge of the display. The new iPad Air starts at 128GB (double the previous model) and comes in four color options. The 11-inch model starts at $599, while the 13-inch one is $799.
iPad Pro (M4)
If you want the most powerful iPad on the market (one of the most powerful Apple devices, period), you’ll want the M4-powered iPad Pro. Apple says the new M4 chip delivers up to 50% more power than the previous M2-powered Pros. It comes in new 11- and 13-inch options, with the larger one being just 5.1mm thick, making it the thinnest device Apple has ever made — including the iPod Nano.
The display, which Apple is calling Ultra Retina XDR, is now OLED. That means it looks better than ever, with true blacks, bold color, and super bright HDR capability. There’s also a nano-texture display option that makes the image show up better in bright or outdoor settings. All of this will be overkill for most people’s tablet usage, but if you need it, you’ll know.
New iPad Accessories
Apple Pencil Pro
The new Apple Pencil Pro works with both the new iPad Pro and iPad Air. It features some new sensors and abilities. You can squeeze it while drawing to bring up a tool palette, or roll it to change the orientation of a shaped pen or brush. And because these things are easy to misplace, it now supports Find My.
New Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
There’s a new Magic Keyboard for the new iPad Pro models. Unlike previous models, it has a function row that lets you control things like display brightness and volume without having to delve into the settings. It also has a larger trackpad with haptic feedback.
iPad (10th Generation) Gets a $100 Price Drop
While the new iPads got the spotlight at the event, Apple shuffled around its entry-level lineup as well. It eliminated the 9th-gen iPad and dropped the price of the 10th-gen iPad by $100. That means you can grab one for $349 now, instead of $449 everywhere -- though Amazon has it on sale for $334. And this machine remains no slouch: it’s perfectly capable of doing most of the things you’d want to do on a tablet. It packs more than enough power to let you stream media, scroll social networks, check your email, take notes, and everything else you’re likely to want to do.
iPad (9th Generation) Is $249 While Supplies Last
Pour one out for the last iPad with a home button. The 9th-gen model is gone from the lineup, which means Apple isn’t making any more of them. However, retailers still have some in stock, and they’re available for cheaper than ever while supplies last.
Chris Reed is a commerce editor and deals expert for IGN. He also runs IGN's board game and LEGO coverage. You can follow him on Threads.
