We recently reported that Apple’s next iPad Pros could cost significantly more than their 2022 predecessors – and a new report gives us a better idea of just how ridiculous those price tags can be.
It is widely believed that Apple is working on two iPad Pro models that are likely to be launched in 2024, as successors to the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) and iPad Pro 11 (2022). Both tablets are said to feature “tandem” OLED displays – which could help them match the best OLED TVs in terms of brightness and extend the lifespan of their respective screens – but these panels reportedly cost twice as much as the mini-LED panels currently used in modern High-end iPads.
It’s no surprise that Apple is likely to pass on these increased costs to consumers. According to Korean outlet electric (opens in a new tab) (By MacRumors (opens in a new tab)), the 11-inch OLED iPad Pro can start at around $1,500 (around £1,260 / AU$2,270), while its larger 13-inch brother could start at around $1,800 (around £1,500 / AU$2,700). Yes, you read that right – both iPads can beginning at four-figure prices.
It’s worth noting that at this stage, these prices are only being considered – nothing has been decided yet, and Apple is notorious for putting tremendous pressure on suppliers to get the prices they want. But if those numbers are accurate, the 11-inch iPad Pro would cost 80% more than its predecessor (which starts at $799 / £900 / AU$1,399) and the 13-inch model would cost 60% more than its 12.9 -inch 2022 equivalent (which starts at $1,099 / £1,249 / AU$1,899).
Even Apple’s cheapest 2022 MacBook, the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022), retails for less than the 11-inch OLED iPad Pro with a reported price of $1,500 (check out our best MacBook deals for the latest discounts), while The Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022) – our pick of the best laptop in 2023 – starts at a similarly paltry price of $1,199 / £1,249 / AU$1,899. And that’s the problem.
Nobody expects Apple products to be cheap – especially the high-end iPads equipped with two-level OLED displays. But almost 2,000 tablet? Apple may be overestimating the desire of iPad buyers with these kinds of tags.
There is no doubt that the company’s upcoming iPad Pro tablets will be a more than adequate alternative to the best laptops on the market. Apple’s existing professional-grade iPads are incredibly versatile devices that boast beautiful mini-LED screens and a veritable smorgasbord of tablet-specific apps. They’re just about perfect – and how many people actually mind the lack of pixel-perfect contrast on the (already amazing) mini-LED screen of the 12-inch iPad Pro to pay 60% more?
Faster internals in the next iPad Pros are certain, but the M2 chip in current Apple models already provides more than enough power for even the most demanding users. Moreover, regular software updates are so forthcoming that older iPads can often keep up with their newer siblings over the years.
The tandem structure of the aforementioned OLED displays will allegedly give them four times the lifespan of the OLED panels currently used in tablets and laptops – at least that much.
Apple’s OLED-equipped iPad Pros are sure to be the best iPads we’ve ever seen – but there has to come a point where ridiculous price increases can no longer be justified by the innovations they’re supposed to pay for.