AppleInsider Staff
Apple introduced a completely new iPad form factor with the 10.5-inch iPad Pro on Monday, promising users a bigger, better display and top-tier internal hardware stuffed into a svelte chassis comparable to the outgoing 9.7-inch version.
As seen in the photo above, Apple has declared war on bezels with its latest iPad Pro incarnation. Most apparent are slimmed down side bezels, though the top and bottom "forehead" and "chin" portions are also slightly altered from past 9.7-inch models, leaving just enough space for a FaceTime camera and Touch ID.
The thinned down borders make space for an enhanced screen that comes in at 20 percent larger and 50 percent brighter than last year's 9.7-inch iPad Pro, good enough for a full-size soft keyboard that can take advantage of new iPad-specific commands that will arrive with iOS 11 later this year. Apple also baked in True Tone and ProMotion technology, the latter allowing for fast 120Hz refresh rates. ProMotion also assists in the Apple Pencil experience, cutting down input latency to only 20 milliseconds.
Also new for the 10.5-inch model is a 12-megapixel, optically stabilized rear-facing camera borrowed from the iPhone 7. Like its iPhone sibling, the camera system on iPad Pro juts out from the main tablet chassis, but should provide users with higher quality images that can be edited directly on the device. Further, the updated shooter will help with augmented reality applications set to roll out as part of iOS 11.
On the inside is an A10X Fusion processor, four-speaker audio system, embedded Apple SIM and a communications suite capable of 802.11ac Wi-Fi and LTE Advanced.
Apple's 10.5-inch iPad Pro is available now starting at $649 for a 64GB model with Wi-Fi. Shipments are scheduled to commence next week.
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40 Comments
I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but does this ipad pro now incorporate force touch?
Is this still a hardware Home button, or have they picked up an iPhone-style virtual button?
Does anyone have a guess at what percentage of iPads are sold with a cellular modem vs. just wifi?
Still sitting on my iPad Air. Wanting to upgrade for a couple years now. But that protruding camera. Still keeps me from clicking the buy button. What's wrong with Apple for not just going with a camera that will fit.
I think calling this a "completely new iPad form factor" is a bit of a stretch.