At its May 7, 2024 event, Apple announced 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models with the M4 chip and tandem OLED displays, a redesigned M2 iPad Air in two sizes—including the Air’s first 13-inch model—and Apple Pencil Pro. The Pro started at $999 in the U.S.; the Air started at $599. Both tablet lines went on sale May 15, 2024. These are 2024 launch details, not Apple’s current iPad lineup.
What Apple announced on May 7, 2024
The announcement brought together two iPad updates with different aims: a high-end iPad Pro focused on its display and performance, and a more affordable iPad Air that gained a larger screen option. Apple also introduced Apple Pencil Pro, a redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and updated Smart Folio accessories.
The main distinction was straightforward: the 2024 Pro had tandem OLED and ProMotion, while the 2024 Air used an LCD. Both ran Apple silicon and supported Apple Pencil Pro, but that did not make them equivalent in display, connectivity, or price.
What changed in the 2024 iPad Pro
M4 arrived first on iPad
The 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro were the first Apple products announced with the M4 chip. Apple said M4 used a second-generation 3-nanometer process, included a new display engine, and added hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading to the GPU. Apple also described a Neural Engine capable of up to 38 trillion operations per second.
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- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience in an impossibly thin and light design. Featuring the breakthrough Ultra Retina XDR display, outrageous performance from the M4 chip, superfast wireless connectivity,* and compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro.* Plus powerful productivity features in iPadOS.
- BUILT FOR APPLE INTELLIGENCE—Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data—not even Apple.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — Ultra Retina XDR delivers extreme brightness and contrast and exceptional color accuracy and features advanced technologies like ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Plus a nano-texture display glass option is available in 1TB and 2TB configurations.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — Up to 10-core CPU in the M4 chip delivers powerful performance, while the 10‑core GPU provides blazing-fast graphics. And with all-day battery life, you can do anything you imagine on iPad Pro.* Up to 2TB of storage means you can store everything from apps to large files like 4K video.*
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* Stage Manager makes multitasking easy with resizable, overlapping apps and external display support. iPad Pro comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps available on the App Store.
Those are Apple’s launch specifications and performance claims, not independent benchmark results. Apple claimed up to 1.5 times the CPU performance of the previous M2 iPad Pro and up to four times faster rendering in a workload example such as Octane. “Up to” figures depend on the comparison and workload; they do not mean every app or owner would see those gains.
The CPU configuration also varied by storage: Apple specified a 9-core CPU in the 256GB and 512GB models and a 10-core CPU in the 1TB and 2TB models. All used M4, but not every storage tier had identical CPU specifications.
Tandem OLED was the Pro’s defining display change
Both sizes received Apple’s Ultra Retina XDR display, which uses tandem OLED technology. In this design, two OLED panels are combined to help deliver brightness and dynamic range. OLED pixels can be controlled individually, allowing deep blacks and high contrast; Apple rated the displays at up to 1,000 nits full-screen brightness and up to 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness.
The display also supported ProMotion adaptive refresh rates, P3 wide color, and True Tone. Those features made the Pro especially relevant to HDR video, photography, illustration, and other work where contrast, color, or a smoother high-refresh display matters. The Air did not get OLED or ProMotion.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesApple offered nano-texture glass only on selected higher-storage configurations. It was an option, not a feature across the whole range. As with any OLED tablet, long-term image retention is a consideration for buyers who leave static content displayed for extended periods; Apple designed the tandem display for tablet use, but that does not establish that image retention is impossible.
Rank #2
- 13" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 256 GB Flash Memory
Thinner design, cameras, and connections
Apple called the 2024 Pro its thinnest product ever at launch: 5.3 mm for the 11-inch model and 5.1 mm for the 13-inch model. The larger model was lighter than the prior 12.9-inch Pro. The front-facing 12MP TrueDepth camera moved to the landscape edge and supported Center Stage. On the back was a 12MP wide camera with adaptive True Tone flash.
The Pro included USB-C with Thunderbolt 3 and USB 4 support. That makes it the more appropriate of these two lines for workflows that benefit from the Pro’s higher-end display and connectivity. It still runs iPadOS, not macOS, so a powerful chip does not by itself guarantee Mac-style app availability, file handling, or multitasking.
What changed in the 2024 iPad Air
The Air update added a 13-inch size for the first time, alongside a redesigned 11-inch model. Both used the M2 chip and Liquid Retina LCD displays. The 13-inch Air provided more workspace than the smaller model without moving to the Pro’s OLED display or price tier.
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Apple moved the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera to the landscape edge on both sizes and included Center Stage. The Air supported Wi-Fi 6E, with 5G available on cellular configurations. Its colors were blue, purple, starlight, and space gray.
For note-taking, schoolwork, browsing, office tasks, streaming, and mainstream creative apps, the Air’s M2 and two screen sizes offered a lower-cost route into a capable iPad. Choose it over the Pro when price or a 13-inch workspace matters more than OLED, ProMotion, or Thunderbolt-oriented workflows.
Rank #3
- 13" Screen size
- iOS Operating System
- 256 GB Flash Memory
iPad Pro M4 vs. iPad Air M2
| Feature | 2024 iPad Pro | 2024 iPad Air |
|---|---|---|
| Sizes | 11-inch and 13-inch | 11-inch and 13-inch |
| Chip | M4; 9-core CPU on 256GB/512GB models and 10-core CPU on 1TB/2TB models | M2 |
| Display | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED; up to 1,000 nits full-screen and 1,600 nits peak HDR | Liquid Retina LCD |
| Refresh rate | ProMotion adaptive refresh rate | Not stated in the cited announcement |
| Front camera | 12MP landscape-oriented TrueDepth with Center Stage | 12MP landscape-oriented Ultra Wide with Center Stage |
| Port and connectivity | USB-C with Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 support | Wi-Fi 6E; 5G on cellular models |
| Apple Pencil support at launch | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C |
| U.S. starting price at launch | $999 for 11-inch; $1,299 for 13-inch | $599 for 11-inch; $799 for 13-inch |
| Best fit | Buyers who value OLED, ProMotion, or high-end creative and connectivity features | Buyers who prioritize value or want a large-screen iPad at a lower launch price |
Prices are 2024 U.S. starting prices before tax, and exclude higher storage, cellular service, and accessories. They are not current 2026 prices.
Apple Pencil Pro: what was new and who needed it
Apple Pencil Pro added a squeeze gesture that could bring up a tool palette, barrel-roll sensing through a gyroscope, and haptic feedback. It also supported hover, double-tap tool switching, and Find My. It attached magnetically to compatible iPads for pairing and charging. Apple set its U.S. launch price at $129.
Those additions are most useful to people who draw, paint, annotate, or switch tools frequently. For basic note-taking, PDF markup, or casual sketches, the Apple Pencil USB-C may be enough; Apple’s current U.S. store lists it at $79. That current price is not the 2024 Pencil Pro launch price.
Check Pencil compatibility before buying
Apple Pencil Pro is not a universal replacement for older Apple Pencil models. The 2024 M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air support Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C; do not assume an Apple Pencil (2nd generation) or first-generation Pencil will work with them. Apple’s current Pencil Pro page lists compatibility with M4 and M5 iPad Pro models, M2 through M4 iPad Air models, and iPad mini with A17 Pro. Compatibility can change with later devices, so confirm the exact iPad model before ordering.
Apple lists iPadOS 17.5 or later as the system requirement for Pencil Pro. Its feature set is not a reason to buy it if the iPad itself is incompatible.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
Magic Keyboard and accessory compatibility
The redesigned Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro added a function row, an aluminum palm rest, a larger trackpad, and haptic feedback. Its thinner design was tailored to the new Pro. The changed tablet dimensions and magnetic arrangement mean owners should check model-specific compatibility rather than assume an older iPad Pro Magic Keyboard will fit the M4 generation.
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2024 U.S. launch prices and availability
Apple began taking orders on May 7, 2024, with retail availability starting May 15, 2024. The figures below are launch prices in the United States, not current Apple Store prices.
| Product | U.S. launch starting price |
|---|---|
| 11-inch iPad Air M2 | $599; $549 education price |
| 13-inch iPad Air M2 | $799; $749 education price |
| 11-inch iPad Pro M4 | $999 |
| 13-inch iPad Pro M4 | $1,299 |
| Apple Pencil Pro | $129 |
Storage, cellular versions, accessories, and tax affect the amount paid. Apple’s U.S. store now lists newer iPad generations and different starting prices; see Apple’s current iPad store for present availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which 2024 model made sense for different buyers?
For artists, photographers, and video editors
The M4 Pro was the stronger fit if OLED contrast, HDR brightness, ProMotion, Thunderbolt connectivity, or higher-end storage mattered to the work. Pencil Pro’s squeeze and barrel-roll interactions may also suit frequent tool changes. But assess the apps and file workflow you actually need: iPadOS is not macOS, and a keyboard, Pencil, and larger storage configuration add to the cost.
Best Value
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 11-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
For students and everyday iPad users
The M2 Air was the more economical choice for notes, documents, web use, and common creative apps. Pick 11 inches for a more portable tablet or 13 inches for more room to read, draw, or work side by side. The Air’s LCD is a meaningful difference if you expect Pro-level contrast or refresh rate.
For an existing iPad owner
An upgrade made most sense when the older iPad’s screen size, performance, camera position, or accessory limitations were actively getting in the way. Check Pencil and keyboard model compatibility before treating existing accessories as reusable; the 2024 Pro and Air introduced compatibility changes that can make an old accessory a poor fit.
For someone hoping to replace a MacBook
The M4’s performance did not change the operating system into macOS. Before choosing an iPad as a laptop replacement, verify that the required apps have the features you need on iPadOS, and that its file management, external display behavior, and multitasking suit your workflow.
How to read the announcement now
This is a recap of Apple’s 2024 announcement. As of 2026, the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air are earlier generations rather than Apple’s newest iPads; Apple’s current U.S. store lists newer models. The 2024 models may still matter to people comparing used or remaining-stock devices, but do not use their original starting prices as today’s market prices.
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For original specifications and launch details, see Apple’s May 2024 iPad Air and iPad Pro availability announcement and its M4 iPad Pro announcement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
