Apple Could Launch New iPad Pro With M4 Chip To Trigger AI War

Apple hasn't updated the iPad Pro in more than 18 months

Apple is preparing to launch its new iPad Pro models, featuring the highly anticipated M4 chip, which could lead to increased competition among technology companies looking to showcase their on-device AI capabilities. Reports from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman suggest that this move may prompt other manufacturers to focus more on AI-driven features in their devices.

The tech giant has announced an upcoming event where it will unveil the new iPad models, ending an 18-month gap in the tablet's launch history. Although many expected the new iPad Pro to be equipped with the M3 chipset, Apple appears to be skipping a generation of its silicon, potentially making this update one of the most significant in the iPad's history.

Alongside the M4 chip, the new iPad Pro is rumoured to feature an OLED screen in both 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, a slimmer design, and an updated front-facing camera now oriented for landscape use. Apple is also expected to refresh its accessories, including a more rigid Magic Keyboard case and a third-generation Apple Pencil with haptic feedback and support for the Apple Vision Pro.

Apple has been developing in-house generative AI features for over a year, open-sourcing LLMs optimised for on-device operation and discussing potential integration of GPT-4 and Gemini into iOS 18 with OpenAI and Google. The company is also working on AI-generated text that mimics human writing and seeking partners to power a chatbot-like feature similar to GPT-4.

These advancements are expected to be showcased at WWDC 2024, starting June 10, where Apple will present the latest developments in its software platforms, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS, and Vision OS. By launching the iPad Pro with the M4 processor, Apple could position the device as an AI-focused gadget, utilising its new neural engine to power these features.

The impact of this technological advancement is likely to extend to the iPhone later this year, with an updated A18 chipset offering similar AI capabilities for smartphone users. Apple may also introduce new iPad Air models in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, powered by the M3 chipset, providing a more affordable option while still offering significant GPU updates, such as ray-traced graphics.

When Apple first launched the M series processors in December 2020, it surprised the industry with impressive battery life and performance in thin and light devices. Companies like Intel and Qualcomm have taken notice of Apple's achievements, with Qualcomm acquiring Nuvia, a startup founded by Apple's former chief architect Gerard Williams III, who led the team behind the M series processor development.

This summer, Qualcomm is expected to launch its Snapdragon X Elite and X Pro line of processors for Windows notebooks and tablets, based on technology developed by Nuvia. Qualcomm is optimistic about its new products and believes it has something that can compete with Apple's technology.

Interestingly, within hours of Qualcomm's announcement of the Snapdragon X Elite, Apple announced its "Scary Fast" event for new MacBook Pro models, which introduced the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max chipsets. This was a notable development, as Apple had already announced M2 Pro and M2 Max-based MacBook Pro devices in January 2023. The M3 processor was recently added to the MacBook Air notebook as well.

As Qualcomm prepares for partners like Microsoft to announce new hardware based on its new silicon, Apple could release the M4 chipset for the iPad Pro. This would mean that within 7 months of the Snapdragon X Elite's official announcement, Apple has introduced two new generations of its silicon.

Intel is also making strides with its new Core Ultra chipsets, which have received positive reviews. The company's Meteor Lake platform is being hailed as the most significant revolution in the x86 architecture for PCs in 4 decades. Microsoft and Intel are promoting the concept of the AI PC, with a dedicated shortcut key to trigger the Microsoft Co-Pilot on devices, which utilises technology from OpenAI.