The new iPad Pro (2022) is always going to be an expensive tablet — “Pro” tells us — and rumors about the M2 chipset and MagSafe compatibility don’t seem to help that price tag.
However, the leak now shows that we don’t have to worry about the price hike: leaker Leaks Apple Pro, for iDropNews (opens in new tab)Offered some of the prices we can expect for the next-gen iPad Pro lineup, and they’re lower than we expected.
Apparently, the 11-inch version with 128GB of storage and 5G support costs $799, while the 12.9-inch version costs $1,099 for the same configuration. Those are significantly cheaper than their predecessors — the iPad Pro 11 (2021) is $999, while the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is $1,299.
Now, this price discrepancy could indicate a bug in leakers — they may be seeing information for different devices or currencies translated from different sources. However, the lower cost is less likely to be wrong than you might think.
A cheaper iPad Pro?
We expect the 2022 model to have the exact same design as the 2021 model…and therefore the same as the 2020 and 2018 models. Yes, Apple hasn’t completely changed the look of its pro-grade tablets.
But it means that after using the same manufacturing process for five years, Apple doesn’t exactly need to spend as much on R&D or design to develop a new product, so it can save money in that department.
Perhaps, the savings there will offset the price hike that Apple’s new M2 chipset will incur – after all, the company already makes quite a few of these silicon engines so it’s unlikely to be anything like the debut M1.
Some of the weirder leaks we’ve heard about — like mini-LED panels and MagSafe compatibility on all tablets — may not actually come to fruition either.
It’s worth pointing out that the leaker doesn’t think the rumored 14-inch iPad Pro will be available right away, but could be launched in early 2023 for a higher price of $1,400.
Attractive MacBook Pro Alternative
With a roughly 13-inch screen, an M2 chipset, and a long-lasting battery, the 2022 iPad Pro 12.9 could be an attractive alternative to the MacBook Pro for some users.
According to leaks, the tablet will cost less than the $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999 laptop and will likely be thinner, with touchscreen and Apple Pencil support giving creative users an edge. It also likely won’t have some of the issues we’ve seen on the MacBook Pro, like its low-res front-facing camera.
It’s not for everyone, and the iPad Pro’s lack of a built-in keyboard, along with its lack of gaming prowess and relatively limited viewing angles, may make it a worse choice for certain types of users.
In fact, choosing an iPad Pro or a MacBook Pro might come down to your laptop or tablet preference. Both have pros and cons, depending on your specific use case.
However, if it does cost less, and has enhancements like MagSafe compatibility, it’s going to increase its competition with the MacBook, which could very well make it one of the best iPads to buy.
