Apple has done its best to wean us away from expecting regular product updates and announcements. Other than the iPhone which is typically announced in September each year and a look at their new operating systems in June during WWDC, the rest of the product lineup is updated whenever Apple is ready. And that makes knowing when to buy a new iPad Pro a tricky proposition for some.
A brief summary of the iPad Pro release history
- 1st generation: September 2015 (12.9-inch only, 9.7-inch followed in March 2016)
- 2nd generation: June 2017 (21 months, or 15 months if we use the 9.7-inch release date)
- 3rd generation: October 2018 (17 months)
- 4th generation: March 2020 (17 months)
- 5th generation: April 2021 (13 months)
- 6th generation: October 2022 (18 months)
While there’s no specific pattern I can discern, we typically get a new iPad Pro about every 18 months or so. There’s no hard and fast rule but it seems indicative. On that basis, a new iPad Pro is due very soon.
What could a new iPad Pro bring?
This is the big question. The current model, the sixth generation, maintained the same design which was released in 2018 but added an M2 processor and some other, relatively minor enhancements such as support for Apple Pencil Hover.
The most significant update, if rumours are to be believed, is a shift away from mini-LED displays to OLED. If true, this means colours will be richer and deeper. For most of us, this probably isn’t a reason to upgrade. I’m still using a fifth generation iPad Pro with an 11-inch screen and it’s a fine device for my application.
The larger iPad Pro could get a slight bump in screen size from 12.9 inches to an even 13 inches. Again, this is probably not going to be a showstopper for most people.
The big question, for me, is whether Apple will give the seventh generation iPad Pro its all new M3 processor. That could make a big difference and probably get those still using a fourth generation iPad Pro – the last model with an A-series processor – to make the leap to the M-series. The combination of improved screen tech and a much faster processor makes it seem like a more compelling update.
When can we expect the new iPad Pro?
Given Apple’s previous timing and what the rumour mill suggests, we can expect a new iPad Pro to be announced before WWDC 2024 – which is 10-14 June 2024. Given Apple won’t want to steal any thunder from its main annual event, I’d say May 2024 is the right time for a new iPad Pro to hit the market.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.