Apple Let Loose Event: New iPads and Accessories
Apple’s May 2024 “Let Loose” event introduced updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models alongside new Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard accessories. This roundup is for shoppers comparing the announced products and deciding which combination suits drawing, school, work, or everyday use.
1. 11-inch iPad Pro (M4)
The 11-inch iPad Pro pairs Apple’s M4 chip with an Ultra Retina XDR display built using tandem OLED technology. Its compact size makes it the Pro option for people who want the higher-end screen and performance without the larger model’s footprint. The display supports ProMotion up to 120Hz, and the device has a landscape-oriented 12MP front camera for video calls.
2. 13-inch iPad Pro (M4)
The 13-inch Pro has the same M4 generation and tandem OLED display technology, with more screen area for drawing, video editing, and working with multiple apps. Apple described it as the thinnest product it had made at launch, but the larger screen is the more relevant reason to choose it over the 11-inch model. Both sizes support the new Apple Pencil Pro and the redesigned Magic Keyboard.
3. 11-inch iPad Air (M2)
The updated 11-inch iPad Air moves to the M2 chip and keeps an LED-backlit Liquid Retina display rather than the Pro’s tandem OLED panel. It is a practical middle ground for general tablet use, note-taking, and creative apps when Pro-level display features are not essential. Its front-facing 12MP camera was moved to the landscape edge, making it better positioned for video calls while the iPad is held horizontally.
4. 13-inch iPad Air (M2)
For the first time, the Air lineup included a 13-inch size, giving users a larger workspace at a lower tier than the 13-inch Pro. It shares the M2 chip and landscape front-camera placement with the 11-inch Air, while the extra display area can make split-screen work and sketching more comfortable. Choose it when screen size matters more than OLED contrast, ProMotion, or the M4’s additional performance headroom.
5. Apple Pencil Pro
Apple Pencil Pro adds a squeeze gesture that opens a tool palette, a barrel roll sensor for rotating compatible tools, and haptic feedback for supported interactions. It also supports Find My, which can help locate a misplaced stylus. Compatibility is limited to the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air models announced at Let Loose, so check your exact iPad before buying; it does not work with every older iPad.
6. Apple Pencil (USB-C)
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) is the more straightforward stylus choice for writing, marking up documents, and drawing without the Pro model’s extra gestures. It charges and pairs through a USB-C connection, and its sliding cap covers the port when not in use. It supports tilt sensitivity but not pressure sensitivity, so artists who rely on pressure-based line variation may prefer a compatible pressure-sensitive Pencil instead.
7. Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
The redesigned Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro adds a function row, an aluminum palm rest, and a larger glass trackpad with haptic feedback. Its floating cantilever design holds the iPad above the keyboard, while the accessory connects through the Smart Connector rather than requiring Bluetooth pairing. This is a premium way to make the Pro feel more laptop-like, but it is made for the 2024 Pro models and is not interchangeable with older Magic Keyboards.
8. Magic Keyboard for iPad Air
Apple also introduced a Magic Keyboard version for the 2024 iPad Air, bringing the floating design and function row to the Air family. It is a useful add-on for people who type long documents or want a trackpad for pointer-based work. Check the size and model compatibility carefully: the Air keyboard is designed for the new Air models, not the M4 Pro, and its layout differs from the Pro accessory.
9. M4 chip and hardware-accelerated ray tracing
The M4 is the main internal upgrade in the new iPad Pro, with a 10-core CPU and a GPU that supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading. Those features matter most for demanding 3D work, graphics-intensive games, and professional creative software; routine browsing and streaming do not require them. The iPad Air’s M2 remains a capable chip, so the Pro’s newer processor is a reason to pay more only when the extra performance serves a real workload.
10. Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display
The M4 Pro’s Ultra Retina XDR screen stacks two OLED panels to deliver high brightness and contrast, with deep blacks and support for HDR content. It also offers ProMotion, which can adapt refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and pen response. The Air’s Liquid Retina display is still a sharp, capable screen, but it does not have the Pro’s tandem OLED construction or ProMotion—an important distinction for frequent HDR viewing and display-focused creative work.
How to Choose
Start with the screen size and the kind of work you do. The 11-inch models are easier to carry and handle, while the 13-inch versions offer more room for a canvas, keyboard, or two apps side by side. Next, decide whether you need the Pro display: tandem OLED, HDR capabilities, and ProMotion are meaningful upgrades for media and demanding visual work, but the Air is sufficient for most everyday tasks.
Then compare chip needs and accessory compatibility. The M4 Pro is aimed at heavier creative and graphics workloads; the M2 Air provides ample capability for browsing, schoolwork, notes, and many creative apps. Choose Apple Pencil Pro for its squeeze, barrel roll, haptics, and Find My features only if your iPad supports it and you will use them. For typing, select the Magic Keyboard made for your exact iPad generation and size. Check storage, connectivity, and the total cost of the iPad plus accessories before deciding; neither Pencil nor keyboard is included with the tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Let Loose event?
Apple held the event on May 7, 2024, and announced the M4 iPad Pro, M2 iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro, and new Magic Keyboards.
Is the 2024 iPad Air available in 13 inches?
Yes. The 2024 Air lineup added a 13-inch model alongside the 11-inch version.
Does Apple Pencil Pro work with older iPads?
No, it is compatible with the 2024 M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air models, not all earlier iPads. Verify the compatibility list for your specific tablet.
What is different about the new iPad Pro display?
It uses tandem OLED technology, which Apple brands Ultra Retina XDR, and supports ProMotion up to 120Hz. The Air uses a Liquid Retina LCD display.
Can I use an older Magic Keyboard with the new iPad Pro?
The M4 iPad Pro requires the Magic Keyboard designed for that generation. Older Magic Keyboards are not interchangeable, so confirm the model and size before purchasing.
Final Thoughts
The Let Loose lineup offers a clear split: the Air prioritizes capable performance and choice of screen size, while the Pro adds M4 power and a standout OLED display. Match the iPad to your actual workload, then confirm each accessory’s compatibility before adding it to your setup.
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