At the Sept. 9th “Hey Siri” media event, Apple announced a new iPad with a 12.9” screen with the name iPad Pro. The product is fairly similar to Microsoft’s Surface Pro in design, but Apple has gone above and beyond with implementing some incredible new technologies in the device.

A9X Processor

The iPad Pro includes the new 64-bit A9X chip and M9 motion coprocessor, providing 1.8x the CPU performance of the already fast iPad Air 2 and 22x better performance than the original iPad. It has 2x better graphics performance than iPad Air 2 and 360x better GPU than the original iPad. This makes doing things like editing multiple streams of 4K video a breeze.

Stunning, High-Resolution Retina Display

Talk about high definition. The iPad Pro is 78% larger than iPad Air 2 and has a 2732 x 2048 resolution, giving it a total of 5,600,000 pixels. It’s also just 6.9mm thin and weighs 1.57 lbs, an incredible feat for an iPad of this size. The display also includes a new energy efficient timing control and variable refresh rate, meaning the screen only updates 30 times per second rather than 60 when it detects no movement, saving precious battery life.

Battery Life

Just like the other iPad models, the iPad Pro has an astounding 10-hour battery life.

Improved Audio and Sound

iPad Pro has four speakers in each corner, giving it a full stereo sound that produces up to three times the volume of other iPads and a wider frequency range. It knows which speakers are closer to the bottom when you orient the iPad, driving bass frequencies there and higher frequencies to the top for better clarity.

Multitasking

iOS 9 includes split-screen multitasking, giving you the ability to use multiple high-performance apps at the same time on iPad. This technology is only available for iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 and iPad Mini 4. Click here to read about the multitasking features of the rest of the iPad lineup.

Smart Connector and Smart Keyboard

Apple built a smart connector into the side of iPad Pro, allowing it to connect to a new accessory called the Smart Keyboard directly. The port transmits power and data both ways, ensuring the keyboard is always powered and functioning perfectly with minimal latency. The smart connector also means that you do not have to worry about connecting Smart Keyboard with Bluetooth, securing a more stable connection and freeing up a Bluetooth connection for iPad Pro.

The Smart Keyboard is made of conductive fabric, meaning it doesn’t require batteries, cords, on/off switches and can withstand a lifetime of folding.

Apple Pencil

As an optional accessory, Apple announced a brand new device for iPad Pro: Apple Pencil. This smart stylus is a great addition to iPad Pro for artists, designers and those looking for pinpoint accuracy out of a stylus. Apple Pencil is extremely pressure-sensitive, features tilt-recognition technology and boasts great battery life with quick-charging features. Click here to learn more about Apple Pencil.

Storage, Colors & Price

There are three configurations of iPad Pro:

• 32GB - $799
• 128GB - $949
• 128GB w/ Cellular - $1079