Apple revamps iPad Pro; introduces Apple Pencil as accessory

In line with Apple's announcements earlier this week about the new Mac mini and MacBook Air, Apple is also sprucing up its iPad Pro.

Here's the goss from Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, Philip Schiller:

"The new iPad Pro is a huge step forward for powerful, creative, mobile computing; it has an all-new thinner design, speeds through projects with the super-fast A12X Bionic chip and unlocks with a glance using Face ID in any orientation — while you're sitting or standing, with iPad Pro on your desk or lap, with the new Smart Keyboard Folio and new Apple Pencil.

"It has a gorgeous edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display that curves into the corners, breakthrough performance that outperforms most laptops, Face ID, support for the new Smart Keyboard Folio and new Apple Pencil, advanced new cameras and sensors for the best AR experiences ever in any device, a high-speed USB-C connector, louder speakers, faster wireless and more, all packed into a thinner device that has all-day battery life and is 25 percent smaller in volume.

The latest generation now pushes the screen sizes all the way to the edge (11 inches or 12.9 inches respectively, depending on which model you buy), and the Liquid Retina display can perform at a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. In short, it means that scrolling and responsiveness are both smooth and fast.

The new Apple Pencil (available separately) is magnetic and charges wirelessly at the same time. It has a new touch sensor that can detect taps so users can interact with apps in 'an entirely new way'.

Under the hood, the iPad Pro features an A12X Bionic chip with a next-generation Neural Engine. The A12X chip is made specifically for the iPad Pro and Apple says it's the most powerful chip in a tablet; while the next-generation Neural Engine is built for machine learning in everything from photography to AR.

Apple says the iPad Pro's battery life can last up to ten hours. In terms of ports, USB-C replaces the lightning connector.

If you're thinking of buying this piece of kit, you'll be keen to make sure that those who use it are who they say they are. Now Face ID is included on the iPad Pro, after appearing in Apple's other products.

"Face ID takes advantage of the TrueDepth camera system to accurately map and recognise the face to securely unlock iPad Pro, enable Apple Pay in apps and online and allow users to easily gain access to secure apps. The TrueDepth Camera on iPad Pro also enables Animoji and Memoji," Apple says.

The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be available in The new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be available in silver and space grey finishes in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB configurations as well as a new 1TB option.

Pricing varies depending on size, storage, and connectivity options.