New 12.9? and 11? iPad Pro Release Date | Price | Specs | Colors

New iPad Pros are coming. Along with new iPhones, new iPads and new Apple Watches, the Cupertino tech giant will likely release an update to its premium tablets.

But you shouldn’t just expect incremental changes this year. By most of the current and most reputable rumors, the iPad Pro lineup is getting the “modern iPhone (iPad)” treatment. Here’s everything you need to know.

The 2018 iPad Pro lineup will be a significant update to Apple’s premium tablet. And some of its biggest features could be borrowed from Apple’s handsets.

Notably, that includes an edge-to-edge style design with significantly reduced bezels.

According to reputable analyst reports, that could mean that Apple will be able to fit a larger 11-inch display into the same footprint as its past 10.5-inch model.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is expected to have the same display size, but could actually be smaller, lighter and more portable thanks to the reduced bezel design.

New iPad Pro Specs and Features

At this point, we pretty much already know about the most significant update to the iPad Pro lineup: the addition of a TrueDepth Camera and Face ID.

Despite the TrueDepth Camera, we don’t believe there will be a sensor notch on the new tablets. Instead, the sensor housing will sit flush with the top bezel.

Similarly, Face ID on the iPad Pro is rumored to support facial recognition when in landscape orientation.

Thanks to iOS 12, the new iPad Pro models might feature multi-user Face ID support. That could be handy as iPad Pros are shared much more frequently than smartphones.

The introduction of Face ID could also mean that the Home button will be killed off. If that’s the case, expect the iPad Pro to sport gesture-based controls like the iPhone X.

There are also some credible reports that the Smart Connector may be repositioned on the new iPad Pro models, just above where the Lightning port is.

Both new iPad Pro models are expected to run on a new chipset, which could be a variant of the A11 or upcoming A12. We don’t expect RAM specifications to change all that much or at all this year.

New iPad Pro Color Options

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will likely come in the usual suite of color options.

That might include Silver and Space Gray this year. But if Apple’s media invite is any indication, the company may have a color surprise for its fans and customers.

The Apple Watch Series 4 and new iPhones are largely expected to debut in a new metallic gold finish.

Based on the gold-tinted invites Apple sent out, it’s worth venturing that new iPad Pro models could come in this finish, too.

Where to Buy New iPad Pro

The new iPad Pro models will be available directly from Apple. That includes the company’s Apple Store locations, its Apple Store app, or via its online storefront.

Expect the iPad Pro to launch at third-party retailers and carriers, too. So nothing much will change from past releases.

New iPad Pro Release Date

Unlike new Apple Watch and iPhone models coming this year, we aren’t exactly sure when Apple will debut the new iPad Pro lineup.

It’s perfectly possible that the Cupertino firm could unveil the new pro tablets at its Gather Round event, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12

On the other hand, Apple is also expected to debut new Mac models this year, too.

In the past, when it hasn’t unveiled Mac hardware at WWDC, Apple has taken to launching computers during a second keynote event around October.

So either the Gather Round event on Sept. 12 will be jam-packed with new hardware (iPad Pros included), or you should expect to wait another month before getting your hands on the new tablets.

New iPad Pro Price

We have no reason to believe that the 2018 iPad Pro lineup will be any different than previous generations, so expect relatively similar pricing.

Basically, the 11-inch iPad Pro could start at or around $649. The 12.9-inch model would start at $799 for the most basic storage and connectivity tier.