Apple Launching A9X-Based 12.9" iPad Pro in November for $799+

Apple today announced the iPad Pro at its "Hey Siri" media event in San Francisco. The 12.9-inch tablet has a resolution of 2732x2048, which is 5.6 million pixels -- more than any iOS device and even the MacBook Pro with Retina display.


The iPad Pro has a 64-bit A9X processor that delivers up to 1.6 times faster performance over the iPad Air 2, with up to twice as fast graphics. Apple also says the tablet is faster than 80% of portable PCs shipped in the last 12 months, allowing users to run apps such as iMovie with desktop-class performance.

iPad Pro features a four-speaker audio system -- two speakers on each side -- that balance frequencies and put out up to three times the audio level of the iPad Air 2. The tablet also features 10-hour battery life, an 8-megapixel iSight camera, Touch ID, Smart Connector and Lightning connector.

Apple introduced two accessories for the iPad Pro. The first is a Microsoft Surface-like Smart Keyboard, which is built into a Smart Cover accessory and connects magnetically to the iPad Pro's new three-dot Smart Connector. The second is Apple Pencil, a stylus built using technology that can detect position, tilt and force.

Apple Pencil also calculate angle and orientation to produce both broad or shaded strokes. The Pencil also enables precision that allows artists to touch a single pixel. Apple says the Pencil's battery lasts for hours and that it can charge by connecting to the iPad Pro's Lightning charger.

Apple Pencil will retail for $99 while the Smart Keyboard will retail for $169. Both will be available alongside the new iPad Pro.

iPad Pro launches in November in silver, space gray and gold, starting at $799 for a 32GB Wi-Fi only model. A 128GB Wi-Fi only model will cost $949 and a Wi-Fi + LTE 128GB model will cost $1,079.