iPad Pro With Thunderbolt and Mini-LED Display Coming 'As Early As April'

[MacRumors]

Apple will introduce new iPads as early as April, according to a new report shared today by Bloomberg. The April date comes following incorrect rumors that Apple planned to hold an event on March 23.

Apple will refresh its iPad Pro lineup, introducing new models that "look similar to the current iPad Pros" in the same 11 and 12.9-inch screen sizes. The two iPads are expected to feature an updated A14X processor that's "on par" with the M1 chip in the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini, along with better cameras.

A mini-LED display will be included with "at least" the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with the display upgrade bringing improved brightness and contrast ratios. This is in line with many rumors that we've heard previously, and most of the information suggests the upgraded display technology will be limited to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple has tested iPad Pros with a Thunderbolt connector that would make them compatible with additional external monitors, hard drives, and peripherals, plus it brings faster data syncing speeds. Apple's Mac machines have featured Thunderbolt technology for years now, but current iPad Pro and iPad Air models have standard USB-C ports.

Later this year, Apple plans to refresh its cheapest iPad, and Apple is also working on a new version of the iPad mini with a larger display.

There was a lot of chatter suggesting Apple would hold a March event to introduce new iPad models, AirPods 3, and perhaps AirTags, but those rumors were never confirmed by a reliable source like Bloomberg or Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. With iPad Pro models launching in April and the AirPods 3 now set for the third-quarter of 2021 based on rumors from earlier this week, it looks like there will be no March announcement.

Article Link: iPad Pro With Thunderbolt and Mini-LED Display Coming 'As Early As April'

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

1st week of April? Who's ready to order one?

 

[MacModMachine]

hmm. ill take one

 

[Coolio1234]

As early as April? This sets up well for a March 30th event at the earliest. That is of course, the 23rd still doesn’t happen.

 

[reallynotnick]

Apple's Mac machines have included Thunderbolt ports since 2016

*Thunderbolt ports with a USB-C connector (thunderbolt goes way further back than 2016 with the miniDP type connector)

 

[ipedro]

I already use an iPad Pro 12.9” as my primary computer and might upgrade to this newer iPad Pro instead of buying a new MacBookPro. Release Final Cut Pro for iPadOS and I can likely ditch my Mac entirely.

 

[appleguy123]

Is Thunderbolt 4 (the one that can be used without an Intel processor) backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 3? Can you use a 5K ultra fine display with it? If so it may be time to upgrade from my 2018.

 

[James Godfrey]

Right so Mark Gurman first says there won’t end up being a March 16th event, and clarified that he only meant an event on March 16th... but did not discount March entirely....

So I am thinking just like last year when an event was rumoured and it ended up just being an invite to an event, we are seeing history repeating itself...

23rd March - Invites
30th March - Event
2nd April - iPad Pro Starts Shipping

 

[alpi123]

As early as April? This sets up well for a March 30th event at the earliest. That is of course, the 23rd still doesn’t happen.

Or could be another press release, like last year's iPad Pro upgrade

but I'd love if they actually make an event for the new products

 

[ouimetnick]

*Thunderbolt ports with a USB-C connector (thunderbolt goes way further back than 2016 with the miniDP type connector)

Introduced in early 2011.

 

[sully54]

I love the mad scramble over the last couple of weeks to narrow down an event date in March, and then when yesterday came and went, everyone is now talking about April like that's what they meant all along.

 

[James Godfrey]

Kuo: Mini-LED iPad and AirPods 3 Coming First Half of 2021

Apple intends to launch an iPad with a mini-LED display and AirPods 3 with a design signature similar to AirPods Pro in the first half of next year,...

www.macrumors.com

‘but those rumors were never confirmed by a reliable source like Bloomberg or Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo’ ?

 

[tgwaste]

And iPhone still cant get standard USB-C.

 

[Riot Nrrrd]

Hoping these new iPad Pros will come with cellular models so I can replace my wheezing old OG iPad Pro 9.7" for travel.

 

[LeeW]

Definately heading towards updating my current iPad 11" which has a broken screen (my fault). Not really that fussed about a laptop anymore so a new 12.9" iPad will be my next purchase.

 

[WiseAJ]

And iPhone still cant get standard USB-C.

And it never will

 

[Jonathantuba]

I hope the better cameras means the same cameras as the iPhone 12 Pro. In any case the new mini-LED will ensure I order on day 1, as the iPad Pro is my main device for work and leisure

 

[rgeneral]

And it never will

It will be port less.

 

[otternonsense]

Just release it already.

 

[lazyrighteye]

I already use an iPad Pro 12.9” as my primary computer and might upgrade to this newer iPad Pro instead of buying a new MacBookPro. Release Final Cut Pro for iPadOS and I can likely ditch my Mac entirely.

Caveat: I don't have much experience with iPads (there are a couple in the house that are the kids'). I have even less (read: zero) experience with their Pro line.
Honest question here: Are you saying the iPad Pro is so capable, that you're just an iOS version of FPC away from ditching your Mac entirely? If true, that statement both staggers and interests me.
Are iPad Pros capable fo running massive A/V files off an external drive?

Dear internet...

 

[otternonsense]

I hope the better cameras means the same cameras as the iPhone 12 Pro. In any case the new mini-LED will ensure I order on day 1, as the iPad Pro is my main device for work and leisure

Whenever I read about iPad photography I keep scratching my head at the definition of "niche", when e.g. pleas for a new Cinema Display have been consistently thrown out the window.

 

[satinsilverem2]

Hoping these new iPad Pros will come with cellular models so I can replace my wheezing old OG iPad Pro 9.7" for travel.

All iPad Pro's have had cellular Im guessing that the new ones will too.

 

[himanshumodi]

I do hope smaller pro gets a mini-LED. I am sort of unsure between 11 and 12.9. I do fair amount of procreate stuff so would like a larger canvas, but also do a lot of one handed holding and viewing/reading stuff, so bigger might be clunkier than I can handle. I don't want one more variable in the mix.

 

[Lemon Olive]

And iPhone still cant get standard USB-C.

Because it doesn't need it.

iPad Pro needs what it gets for use cases. iPhone does not "need" USB-C for anything at all. You simply want USB-C because you want a (sort of) one connector existence.

 

[Mr.Simple]

Please also mini LED Display for the 11 Pro. I think the 12.9 Pro will be to big for me.