Apple Plots New iPad Pro With Magic Keyboard For 2024 To Revive Sales

Apple is reportedly planning a major revamp of its iPad Pro lineup by 2024, in an effort to boost declining sales. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who has a strong track record on Apple leaks, the tech giant is plotting a redesign with larger displays, updated processors and most notably - a new Magic Keyboard with expanded trackpad.

The rumoured 2024 iPad Pro models are said to feature OLED displays instead of the current LCD and mini-LED screens. Gurman claims the lineup will consist of 11-inch and 13-inch variants, representing only a minor bump from the existing 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. However, both models are tipped to use brighter, more colour accurate OLED panels.

Under the hood, the new Pro iPads are expected to be powered by Apple's M3 chip, successor to the current M2 processor. The Magic Keyboard accessory will also reportedly see an overhaul, with a larger trackpad for improved laptop-style productivity. First introduced in 2020, the Magic Keyboard transforms the iPad Pro into a 2-in-1 device via a cantilevered floating design and integrated keyboard/trackpad. The upcoming version aims to make it feel even more MacBook-like.

While screen sizes may only see a slight increase, Gurman says the new Pro iPads could have slimmer bezels akin to recent iPhones. The iconic iPad design has remained largely unchanged since its 2018 refresh.

This major update to the iPad Pro line comes at a time when sales have softened, especially among professional users. The promise of a larger OLED display, faster M3 chip and enhanced Magic Keyboard could reignite interest among creative pros looking for a portable workstation.

With Apple expected to hold its usual autumn product launch this year, the new iPad Pro models likely won't arrive until 2024 at the earliest. But if Gurman's leaks are accurate, it sounds like the wait could be worth it for pro users needing a serious iPad overhaul. Apart from this, Apple could also be plotting an update to the iPad Air which is still on the M1 processor which could come before the Pro model is unveiled.