If you thought that the iPad Pro was just too big for your needs, look again. The Cupertino-based company now has a smaller iPad Pro, and you can pre-order it now.
The downsized iPad Pro comes with the same 9.7-inch, 2,048 x 1,536 pixel screen found on the iPad Air 2. However, according to Apple, its screen is 40 percent less reflective and much brighter than the one found on its predecessor, which is good news for those who like to use their tablets outside. Because of this, Apple claims the new iPad Pro has the lowest reflectivity out of any tablet currently available.
The tablet also has a “True Tone Display.” In short, this means that the new iPad Pro’s display will measure the color temperature of ambient light and adjust itself to match. This, combined with the new Night Mode featured in iOS 9.3, should make the new iPad Pro a good tablet to use when there isn’t much light available.
Moving on to internals, the new iPad Pro has the same A9X processor and four-speaker system found in its larger sibling. It’s supposedly twice as loud as an iPad Air 2. If you like to take photos with your tablet, the new iPad Pro packs an identical camera system as found on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. It has a 12-megapixel camera, with support for 4K video recording, Focus Pixels, dual-tone flash, and a lot more; it’s a nice step-up from the camera system found on the iPad Air 2.
Apple will also sell a smaller version of the Smart Keyboard, with the down-sized iPad Pro also supporting the Apple Pencil. Other accessories include a Lightning-powered SD card reader and a USB camera adapter.
How to get one
The new iPad Pro will be available in space grey, gold, and silver, with rose gold thrown in as a new color option. Prices start at $600 for the 32GB version, with Apple offering a 128GB version for $750 and the top-of-the-line 256GB configuration, a first for any iOS device, for $900. If you want LTE included for good measure, those options are about $130 more at each price level. Pre-orders began Thursday, March 24, with widespread availability in stores on March 31.
Here are pre-order options from carriers. At T-Mobile, you can get the 32GB iPad Pro for $0 down and $30.42 a month for 24 months, the 128GB one for $160 down and $30 a month for 24 months, or the 256GB model for $310 down and $30 a month for 24 months. You can get it on T-Mobile’s website here.
At AT&T, it’ll cost you $0 down and $36.50 a month for 20 months for the 32GB model, $44 a month for 20 months for the 128GB model,or $51.50 a month for 20 months for the 256GB model. You can get it on AT&T’s website.
Verizon offers the 32GB model for $30.41 a month for 24 months, the 128GB model for $36.66 a month for 24 months, or the 256GB model for $42.91 a month for 24 months. You can get it on Verizon’s website.
Finally, Sprint sells the 32GB iPad Pro for $0 and $32.42 a month for 24 months, the 128GB model for $100 down and $32.50 a month for 24 months, and the 256GB model for $200 down and $34.59 a month for 24 months. You can get it on Sprint’s website.
Updates:
Updated on 03-24-2016 by Malarie Gokey: Added pre-order info and pricing at the four carriers.
Editors' Recommendations
- Apple is about to do the unthinkable to its iPads
- Apple accidentally revealed a big iPad Pro display upgrade
- You may have to wait a while longer for new iPads
- This is when Apple will finally release its new 2024 iPads
- Apple’s new iPad Pro may not be as expensive as we feared
