Apple is preparing for its most significant update to the iPad Pro since 2018, as indicated by a recent report. Expected to debut next year, this revamp aims to reverse the trend of sluggish tablet sales in recent times.

The insights stem from a report by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, a familiar name when it comes to Apple news. Gurman asserts that he has insider information about Apple’s intentions, revealing that the forthcoming iPad Pro will feature a comprehensive overhaul, encompassing a new chip, updated screen technology, a fresh design, and a revamped keyboard accessory.

The inclusion of a new chip is hardly surprising, as this has become a standard for any iPad Pro upgrade. The current model utilizes the M2 chip, and the upcoming version will likely adopt the M3 chip, promising noticeable performance enhancements. This is not to say that the M2 chip was inadequate for most users of the current iPad Pro.

Yet, the intrigue extends beyond the chip enhancement. Gurman’s report suggests that the new iPad Pro will embrace an OLED display, similar to the technology employed in iPhones’ impressive screens. OLED offers superior black levels, heightened contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the current LCD screens in Apple’s iPad and MacBook lineups.

Gurman contends that OLED screens are “sharper and brighter” than LCD displays, which seems somewhat counterintuitive—sharpness primarily pertains to resolution and is relatively unrelated to the screen type. While the OLED screens in the iPhone 14 Pro are significantly brighter than the LCD screens on most iPads, the Mini LED screen on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is nearly as bright as the OLED on an iPhone 14 Pro.

Although Apple previously introduced Mini LED technology to its largest iPad model, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it still falls short of the excellence offered by OLED screens, and this technology has yet to be featured in any of Apple’s smaller tablets.

According to Gurman’s report, the upcoming iPad Pro will be available in 11- and 13-inch variants. The existing iPad Pro is offered in 11.2- and 12.9-inch sizes, suggesting that Gurman’s mention of 13 inches being distinct from the current 12.9 implies a minor redesign.

Historically, Apple has slightly increased screen sizes in updates without significantly altering device dimensions, achieved by minimizing bezel size. A transition towards a truly edge-to-edge screen could account for the 13-inch iPad Pro, but this doesn’t explain the minor reduction in screen size for the smaller iPad. The specifics of these sizes will only become clear with time.

Another notable change reported by Gurman involves a major overhaul of the Magic Keyboard accessory alongside the iPad Pro redesign. The report suggests that this new accessory will make the iPad Pro resemble a laptop even more closely than the current setup, including a larger trackpad. This redesign could be well-received, especially considering that the small trackpad was a significant drawback when reviewing the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard in 2020.

Gurman doesn’t clarify whether the new iPads will remain compatible with the older Magic Keyboard accessory, which is worth monitoring for those considering an upgrade. After all, spending $300 on an accessory that won’t function with your next device isn’t ideal.

The anticipated release window for the new iPad Pro is either spring or fall of 2024, leaving ample room for new iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac releases throughout 2023.