Apple unveils new iPad Pro models sporting more powerful M2 chips

Last updated: October 20, 2022 at 11:59 AM

Grace Chng Published October 20, 2022

3 Min Read

Apple is pitching the iPad Pro as a serious tool for creative work, among other uses. PHOTO: Apple.

Apple has come up with updated versions of the iPad Pro 12.9-inch and iPad Pro 11-inch that sport the company’s new M2 processor. These models come with enhanced features for movie making and creative work.

The secret ingredient is the M2 processor which is said to give the new tablets 35 per cent faster graphics performance, 40 per cent better machine learning performance, and 50 per cent greater memory bandwidth than the previous generation iPad Pro with the older M1 chip.

What I am excited about is the hover feature on the second generation Apple Pencil which is now detected up to 12mm above the display, enabling additional functionality within apps.

This functionality will be available in first-party as well as third-party applications. This feature works with iPadOS 16. I would really need to find out how this works in practice.

Tech specs on the iPad Pros also received a boost. There is improved wireless connectivity in the form of Wi-Fi 6E, which provides downloads up to 2.4Gbps.

This is two times faster than previous models. Other upgrades under the hood are updated Bluetooth 5.3 support and 5G connectivity.

Movie making is one of the new iPad Pros’ touted uses. PHOTO: Apple

Camera features are also improved with the M2 chip. The new ProRes encoder allows the tablet to now record videos directly in Apple’s high quality ProRes codec and transcode it up to three times faster.

The still camera functionality also sees an upgrade from Smart HDR 3 to Smart HDR 4.

An Apple video on YouTube introducing the new iPad Pros shows the tablets can be used to make movies. Filmmakers can use it for video capture, then later edit the video and sound on them.

In Singapore, prices start from S$1,249 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and from S$1,699 for the 12-inch tablet. They are available in space grey and silver and with Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and cellular. They will be available from Oct 26.

Apple also announced the 10^th-generation iPad which comes in bright colours including pink and yellow.

The 10.9-inch iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip and features Liquid Retina Display, advanced cameras and USB-C. Prices for this tablet starts from S$679 and is available from Oct 26.

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By Grace Chng

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A seasoned writer, author and industry observer, Grace was the key tech writer for The Straits Times for more than three decades. She co-founded and edited Computer Times, later renamed Digital Life. She helmed this publication, the de facto national IT magazine, for nearly 19 years. Grace is also the editor and co-curator of Intelligent Island: The Untold Story of Singapore’s Tech Journey, a book highlighting Singapore’s ICT development.