Apple is rumored to release new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models as soon as next month. The new iPad will be the first update to the iPad Pro lineup since April 2021, and will be an overall incremental upgrade that brings new features and capabilities to the highest-end iPad.
Apple is reportedly planning an event in October to announce new iPad Pro models, a new benchmark iPad, and an update for the Mac. As October approaches, we’ve outlined five of the biggest features and changes coming to the upcoming iPad Pro.
Wireless charging
According to Bloomberg, the next-generation iPad Pro is expected to include some form of wireless charging. Apple has reportedly tested glass backs instead of aluminum casings or using a larger glass Apple logo for the upcoming iPad, which would allow for wireless charging, although Apple has faced some challenges implementing the technology. Apple is also considering adding MagSafe to the iPad, but how it will be implemented is still unknown.
New connector
The upcoming iPad Pro will feature two new four-pin connectors of some sort, as opposed to the three-pin Smart Connector found in the current iPad Pro. The current three-pin Smart Connector in the iPad Pro is used to connect accessories like the Magic Keyboard. The inclusion of an updated four-pin connector expands the types of accessories supported by the iPad.
M2 chip
The current iPad Pro uses the M1 Apple silicon chip released in November 2020. The M1 chip was Apple’s first Mac-specific custom processor, and it also appeared in the iPad Pro a few months later. For the upcoming “iPad Pro,” Apple is expected to use the updated M2 chip announced last June. According to Apple, the “M2” chip is 20% faster than the “M1” chip.
In the iPad Pro, the M2 chip will support features like Stage Manager that ships with iPadOS 16, which allows users to connect the iPad to an external display and have overlapping windows. According to Apple, iPadOS 16 will be released in October, likely alongside the updated iPad Pro.
The new Apple Pencil?
A video from April 2021 is said to show the third-generation Apple Pencil with a glossy finish and a redesigned tip. Despite the alleged leaks, Apple hasn’t announced a new “Apple Pencil” for nearly four years since the second-generation model debuted in 2018.
It’s been over a year since we’ve heard any major rumors about a new “Apple Pencil,” so it’s unclear what the situation is. If a new Apple Pencil does appear, we don’t expect major design changes, but the latency may improve due to internal hardware upgrades and software optimizations.
Reverse wireless charging?
According to Bloomberg, Apple has tested reverse wireless charging for the iPad Pro, which will allow iPad owners to charge their AirPods or iPhone by placing it on the back of the iPad. Apple is rumored to eventually plan to offer bilateral charging for accessories like AirPods to the iPhone, but that has yet to happen.
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