4G SIM NewsAt a San Francisco-based launch event last week Apple announced a range of new 4G devices, from the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus to the iPad Pro. This week we’ll be taking a look at these devices and the upgrades or additional features they include, starting with the iPad Pro.
The iPad Pro will be on sale in November and will be available in silver, gold, or space grey. There are two Wi-Fi versions available for $799 (32GB) and $949 (128GB), but those who want to use the iPad Pro on 4G will need to buy the Wi-Fi and Cellular model which costs $1079 (128GB).
With 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology and MIMO allowing users to connect to ultrafast networks, the iPad Pro is expected to achieve download speeds of up to 866 Mbps. The Wi-Fi and Cellular model supports 20 LTE bands, and speeds of up to 150Mbps are predicted to be achievable via LTE.
The iPad Pro is larger than previous iPads, with a 12.9 inch screen, although the width is only 6.9mm, the same as the iPad Air. With its larger size, the iPad Pro features the highest resolution retina display of any iOS device with 5.6 million pixels. The size of the screen, along with multitasking functionality of the new iOS 9 operating system, makes the iPad Pro ideal for using two apps side by side, and the new device comes with an increased variety of built-in apps. There are also new iPad-specific additions to the Apple Store for users to explore.
In addition the iPad Pro has Apple’s third-generation chip, the A9X, which has 64-bit desktop-class architecture, giving the tablet increased speed and performance to tackle any task. Despite this the iPad’s battery is said to last for up to ten hours.
The iPad Pro is compatible with the new Apple Pencil, a rechargeable device that costs approximately $99. The pressure-sensitive stylus will allow more accuracy for creative professionals such as graphic designers and illustrators, and has the ability to alter the thickness of the stroke according to the pressure applied.
The new iPad will also be compatible with a full sized detachable Smart Keyboard which is expected to cost around $169. It is made from woven fabric and attaches to three small magnetic circles on the side of the iPad Pro, the Smart Connector, which can transmit power and data. The keyboard doubles as a smart cover.
According to Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, “iPad Pro is the most advanced and powerful iPad we have ever made. Its beautiful and large 12.9-inch Retina display has 5.6 million pixels and provides an immersive experience for content and apps. The iPad Pro is far and away the fastest iOS device we have ever made — its A9X chip beats most portable PCs in both CPU and graphics tasks, but is thin and light enough to hold all day. The innovative Apple Pencil and new Smart Keyboard enable users to customise their iPad Pro experience to the particular apps they use and the work they do, making iPad Pro ideal for everything from professional productivity to advanced 3D design.”