Apple’s upcoming OLED iPad Pro reportedly will begin the company’s shift into AI hardware. The new tablets could sport the next-gen M4 chip to power all the AI features.
If this report proves accurate, Apple will skip bringing its existing M3 SoC to its flagship tablet lineup.
2024 iPad Pro could skip the M3 chip for M4
Apple unveiled its 3nm-based M3 chip in October 2023. The processor introduced notable performance and efficiency improvements, along with a faster and more efficient Neural Engine. And recent report suggests the company plans even bigger AI-focused upgrades for its next-gen M4 chip. The SoC would power many AI features Apple has planned for its upcoming Macs.
However, Apple typically announces a new M-series processor after 12 or 15 months. So, it would be an odd move for the company to unveil the M4 chip so soon. But that could happen anyway, according to Mark Gurman, who discussed the upgrade in his latest Power On newsletter.
“I’m hearing there is a strong possibility that the chip in the new iPad Pro will be the M4, not the M3,” Gurman wrote. “Better yet, I believe Apple will position the tablet as its first truly AI-powered device — and that it will tout each new product from then on as an AI device. This, of course, is all in response to the AI craze that has swept the tech industry over the last couple years.”
The upcoming iPhone 16’s A18 chip also will reportedly center on AI tasks. And including an M4 chip in the next-gen iPad Pro could help Apple better justify the OLED tablet’s rumored price increase.
Apple Pencil 3 might feature haptic feedback
In addition to introducing the new iPad Pro, iPad Air and a revamped Magic Keyboard at its “Let Loose” event on May 7, Apple could unveil a refreshed Apple Pencil. The event invite does a good job of teasing the iPad stylus.
While the rumor mill has been relatively silent about the third-gen Apple Pencil features, Gurman says it will support haptic feedback. If true, this would be the first time Apple’s stylus for the iPad has incorporated this technology. It would help the Apple Pencil 3 stand out from other styluses on the market, as none offer any form of haptic feedback.
Other new features expected in the third-gen Apple Pencil include Find My support, a mysterious “squeeze” gesture and the possibility that the stylus will work with the Apple Vision Pro headset.
