Apple Event April 2021: Are the New iPad Pro (M1), iMac, Apple AirTag & Apple TV Worth It?
Joel Koh●
Just this morning (21 July 2021, Singapore time) Apple Inc. held its first event of 2021.
The hour-long April 2021 ‘Spring Loaded’ event saw Apple announce a new iMac computer, iPad Pro tablet, the AirTag lost-device tracking gadget as well as a revamped Apple TV with a new remote.
For me, the most entertaining part of the event was this Mission Impossible style sequence where Apple CEO Tim Cook broke into the Apple Campus to steal the M1 chip from a Macbook and install it in the new iPad Pro.
But, investors were not excited about the news as Apple Inc’s (NASDAQ: AAPL)’s stock price fell about 2 per cent after the event.
Regardless, here are all the new products Apple announced at the event!
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TL;DR: Apple Events 2021: The April ‘Spring Loaded’ Event
| Product | Price (SGD) |
|---|---|
| iPad Pro 2021 (11-Inch) | $1,199 - $3,069 |
| iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-Inch) | $1,649 - $3,519 |
| iMac 2021 (2-Port Version) | $1,849 |
| iMac 2021 (4-Port Version) | $2,149 (256GB) $2,449 (512GB) |
| Apple AirTag | $45(Single) $149 (4-pack bundle) |
| Apple TV 4K 2021 | $269 (32GB) $299 (64GB) |
iPad Pro 2021: iPad Pro With M1 Chip
Arguably, the start of the show was the new iPad Pro 2021.
Get this, the tablet is powered by the same powerful and efficient Apple-designed M1 chip found in its latest MacBooks and Mac Mini.
This chip delivers a massive leap in performance, making the new iPad Pro arguably the fastest tablet available.
iPad Pro 2021 Specs
Here’s how it compares to the previous generation iPad Pro.
| 11-inch iPad Pro (2021) | 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) | 11-inch / 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 600 nits, ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) True Tone P3 Wide Colour Gamut 264ppi | mini-LED backlit 1:1 million contrast ratio Up to 1,600 nits HDR ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) True Tone P3 Wide Colour Gamut 264ppi | 600 nits ProMotion True Tone Wide Color 264ppi |
| Processor | Apple M1 | Apple A12Z | |
| Storage options | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB 2TB | 128GB 256GB 512GB 1TB |
|
| Battery | Up to 10 hours of browsing on Wi‑Fi or watching video | Up to 10 hours of browsing on Wi‑Fi or watching video | |
| Rear cameras | 12MP f/1.8 Wide 10MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide LiDAR scanner Smart HDR 3 | 12MP f/1.8 Wide 10MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide LiDAR scanner Smart HDR |
|
| Front camera | 12MP f/2.4 Ultra Wide with 122° field of view True Depth Smart HDR 3 Center Stage | 7MP f/2.2 Wide True Depth Smart HDR |
|
| USB-C Ports | USB4 with Thunderbolt support (up to 40Gbps bandwidth) | USB-C only | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, simultaneous dual-band up to 1.2Gbps | Wi-Fi 6, simultaneous dual-band up to 1.2Gbps | |
| Cellular Option | 5G, 4G LTE up to 32 bands | 4G LTE up to 30 bands | |
| Magic Keyboard + Apple Pencil Support | Yes | Yes | |
| Colours | Space Grey Silver | Space Grey Silver |
|
The new iPad Pro comes in two sizes: the 11-inch model, or a bigger 12.9-inch model.
The only difference between these two models is that the more expensive 12.9-inch model features a new Liquid Retina XDR display with Mini LED technology.
This means that the display can get really bright and contrasty with 1600 nits of peak brightness, a million to one contrast ratio and Smart High Dynamic Range (HDR) 3.
The display is also really sharp and smooth as well, as it has a resolution of 2732 x 2048 pixels (264ppi) as well as a 120Hz refresh rate.
If you want, you can get an iPad with 5G, with support for the faster mmWave connectivity that delivers even faster wireless connectivity on the go.
In addition, the iPad Pro now includes support for the Thunderbolt port, providing users with pro-level throughput for high-speed accessories.
Not to mention the all-new Ultra Wide front camera that enables Center Stage, a new feature that automatically keeps users perfectly framed for even more engaging Zoom video calls.
iPad Pro 2021 Prices
Here are the prices for the new iPad Pro 2021 in Singapore.
| Storage | 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 (WiFi) Price | 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 (WiFi+Cellular) Price |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $1,199 | $1,419 |
| 256GB | $1,349 | $1,569 |
| 512GB | $1,649 | $1,869 |
| 1TB | $2,249 | $2,469 |
| 2TB | $2,849 | $3,069 |
| Storage | 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 (WiFi) Price | 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 (Wifi+Cellular) Price |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB | $1,649 | $1,869 |
| 256GB | $1,799 | $2,019 |
| 512GB | $2,099 | $2,319 |
| 1TB | $2,699 | $2,919 |
| 2TB | $3,299 | $3,519 |
iPad Pro 2021 Release Date Singapore
You can pre-order the iPad Pro 2021 from 30 April 2021. But, the iPads will only be available in the second half of May.
iMac 2021
And for those Apple fans crying out for a new iMac, Tim Cook has head you.
The latest iMac from Apple features a stunningly thin design that comes in a range of vibrant colours, is powered by the powerful yet efficient M1 chip, and has a brilliant 24 inch 4.5K Retina display.
The new iMacs are available in:
- Blue,
- Green
- Pink
- Silver
- Yellow
- Orange
- Purple
However, you can only get all seven colours with the more expensive four-port $2,149/$2,449 iMacs. The yellow, orange and purple are left out for the most affordable two-port iMac.
iMac 2021 Specs
Here is an overview of the key specifications of the new Apple iMac 2021 to let you get a feel of what you will be getting for your money.
iMac 2021 Prices
The base two-port iMac 2021 retails for $1,849 in Singapore.
Whereas the more expensive four-port model retail for $2,149 for the 256GB SSD version and $2,449 for the 512GB SSD version.
iMac 2021 Release Date Singapore
You can pre-order the iMac 2021 from 30 April 2021. But, the iMacs will only be available in the second half of May.
Apple AirTag
The Apple AirTag is a small and elegantly designed accessory that enables users to securely locate and keep track of their valuables using the Find My app.
If you happen to lose your item that is tagged with the AirTag, you can use the Find My app to get its location or make the AirTag produce a sound to help you find it.
However, the Apple AirTag only supports Apple devices with iOS 14.5 or later. In other words, you cannot use the AirTag with iPhones older than the iPhone 6s
The AirTag also uses a standard user-replaceable CR2032 battery which Apple claims can last for a year.
Although you can use the AirTags with any device with iOS 14.5 or later, the more advanced Precision Finding feature is only compatible with the:
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
You will be able to see the distance to your AirTag and the direction to head in with the in-built Ultra‑Wideband technology.
AirTag Price Singapore
The Apple AirTag can be purchased in a single pack and a multi-pack (four AirTags) for $45 and $149 respectively.
But, do note that each customer can only buy 16 AirTag Single-packs and four AirTag multi-packs.
Apple AirTag Release Date Singapore
You can order the Apple AirTags in Singapore from 23 April 2021, 8pm. But, the AirTags will only be available on 30 April 2021.
Apple TV 4K 2021
At the event, Apple unveiled the Apple TV 4K 2021: the sixth iteration of the Apple TV streaming device.
This new Apple TV is powered by the A12 Bionic chip (first used in the iPhone X series) that enables it to support 4K high frame rate (HFR) with HDR.
The device also comes bundled with a revamped Siri remote as well.
Apple TV 4K 2021 Price Singapore
The device retails in Singapore for $269 for the 32GB version and $299 for the 64GB version.
Apple TV 4K 2021 Release Date Singapore
You can order the Apple TV 4K 2021 from 30 April 2021. But, the device will only be available in the second half of May.
iPhone 12 Purple
Also, Apple has released a purple version of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini.
iPhone 12 Purple Prices
As for the price, the purple iPhone 12 and 12 mini are priced the same as the regular models.
FYI: The iPhone 12 mini starts from $1,149 and the iPhone 12 starts from $1,299.
iPhone 12 Purple Release Date Singapore
The phones can be pre-ordered from 23 April 2021, 8pm. But, the purple iPhones will only be available on 30 April 2021.
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