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9.7 inch iPad Pro goes on sale from March 24th in four colors, starting at $599, 256 GB option

Screen Shot 2016-03-21 at 1.56.52 PM

The new 9.7 inch iPad Pro goes on sale, starting at $599 for 32 GB. This puts the new product squarely between the iPad Air and the 12.9 inch iPad Pro in the lineup with the announced pricing. You can order the new iPad Pro now from Apple’s website. Just like its bigger brother, the new iPad Pro features the same A9X processor for great performance. For the first time, the new iPad Pro has a 256 GB storage option for $899.

The 9.7 inch iPad Pro features a True-Tone display, that adjusts the color temperature of the screen based on the room lighting environment.

Apple says it wants to provide a 9.7 inch iPad for all the customers who already have 9.7 inch tablets. In addition, iPad Pro 9.7inch is targeted at Windows desktop and notebook users.

The display is 40% less reflective than the iPad Air, the lowest reflectivity of any tablet. It is also 25% brighter than an iPad Air 2, ‘the brightest tablet available’. The screen also works with Night Shift, coming in iOS 9.3. Like the 12.9 inch iPad, this iPad has 4 speakers for stereo audio depending on orientation. Like iPhone 6s, the new iPad Pro features always-on Hey Siri. 

The iPad Air 2 is getting a price drop, now starting at $399. The 12 inch iPad Pro has gained a 256 GB option.

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Comments

  1. realgurahamu - 8 years ago

    Should have waited to post then you could post the video which is still playing live lol

  2. realgurahamu - 8 years ago

    If I had the money I would upgrade my ipad air 2 in an instant!!

  3. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Strange no mention of the cellaur models pricing.

  4. viciosodiego - 8 years ago

    no new macs.
    I’ll have to wait until wwdc.

  5. Martin Kaninsky - 8 years ago

    weird they are keeping the air 2

  6. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    The $100 price drop for the Air 2 made sense with all the sales since November. The 9.7″ Pro should be $499 though.

    • PMZanetti - 8 years ago

      No, it shouldn’t. Cheap ass.

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        It’s still a new 9.7″ model. If they named it the Air 3 it would been $499. Speakers, display and support for pencil does not increase th value by $100.

  7. Michael (@M_Racz) - 8 years ago

    this was a very boring event too be honest

  8. josephferranti - 8 years ago

    “You can order the new iPad Pro now from Apple’s website.” Actually it starts on the 24th (pre-order). And it will available on the 31st. Same as the phone.

  9. Barry Kushner - 8 years ago

    They adjusted the exchange rate on the new ipad pro in Canada and it costs way more now.

  10. applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

    The price of iPhone SE is ridiculous. Very inexpensive in the US but over expensive in Europe (490€)

  11. applegetridofsimandjack - 8 years ago

    How much ram does it have? 4GB as well as the bigger iPad Pro? So important for iPad.

  12. usmansaghir - 8 years ago

    Wasn’t really expecting anything exciting. Most things that were announced had already been leaked.
    But still excited about the iPad Pro. Its time to upgrade.

  13. justincirello - 8 years ago

    CAMERA BUMP though…. Keeping my Air 2

  14. Kevin Labranche - 8 years ago

    The device seems really nice, but the price not so much for a device that size in my opinion. Been Canadian, the prices on the other side of the border are even higher and I can’t wrap my head around the price even in the US. For tablets to truly replace laptops not only does the OS need to work, but the price tag should be way lower because you still need to combine it with a keyboard. Now the new storage tier is finally there, but why keep 32 Gb even if used only as a tablet and not a desktop or laptop replacement, I think this is huge marketing issue. Think about it for a second. As a power user, I know what are my needs and when I see the iPad, I know it can’t replace a desktop for me so the base price makes sense to me if the device is used as a tablet. Now I know non-power user and when they usually see something advertise as a PC replacement, the first thing they see is the base price, then when they look further into it they realize to be what it is told to be they need a tier of storage higher and buy a keyboard on top of that. 95% of those people then just refuse to even consider it.
    My point, I guess is the claim that it can replace a PC is destroyed by the extremely low base model storage combine with an less then complete experience when considering you need to buy a keyboard.

  15. According to the product spec page on Apple’s website, the 9,7-inch iPad Pro has an embedded Apple SIM. Is that a first for an Apple product?

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Yes, if it is indeed not user removable would be the first Apple product with an embedded SIM.

      • It seems the new iPad Pro has both. So you can still insert SIM cards through the tray (including Apple SIMs).

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        Embedded Apple SIM in iPad Pro (9.7-inch) may be disabled when purchased from some carriers. See your carrier for details. Apple SIM and embedded Apple SIM not available in China.

  16. eklisiarh - 8 years ago

    I just wonder which idiot designer we shoud thank that the new iPad has protruding camera lens so that your are completely unable using it on the flat surface!

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      Worst who designs a tablet your supposed to use a stylus on and puts a protruding camera on it.

  17. Robert Cain (@cain2003) - 8 years ago

    I really thought I was going to pull the trigger on the 9.7in iPad pro. Im still rocking the iPad mini! There are just to many bad compromises in the new Pros design and engineering! The lack of support for USB 3 or Thunderbolt is the major one. But that camera bump is the next. WTF Apple. You know how long it takes to reset a 128BG iPhone/iPad over USB 2? F#$&ing FOREVER! thats how long.

  18. Mike Sullivan - 8 years ago

    The 256 GB storage option is great. I just got the larger iPad pro (128 GB), great machine, but a bit annoyed that the smaller version has more storage than the larger one that is only 6 months from launching….

  19. mad1at35 - 8 years ago

    I foolishly sold my iPad Air in January, waiting for an Air 3, and have been managing with a sluggish iPad mini 2 since then. Now I think the iPad mini 4, which ive tried, is a great fast small iPad and great size, but I’ve been getting larger iPad withdrawal symptoms so the iPad pro 9.7 is a welcome arrival. What took you so long Apple?!

    As usual Appe make the choice harder. Do I go 128gb or 256gb? 1st world problems huh!

    This is actually a serious question because I suspect iOS 10 will feature a local file system (documents only) to iCloud Drive so the extra 128gb storage may actually be needed if using this instead of a MacBook. All I need is affinity photo and designer on iPad pro to go with Apple Pencil.

Author

Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.