New iPad Pro Said to Launch in March, 12.9-Inch Model Could Be Slightly Thicker for Mini-LED Display

[MacRumors]

Following up on its report from yesterday about the next-generation iPad and iPad Pro models, Japanese site Mac Otakara has released a new report sharing some additional details about the upcoming iPad Pro models.

The report claims that updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models should be arriving in March and that the overall design remains the same as the existing models with a few exceptions.

First, Mac Otakara says that the 12.9-inch model will be about 0.5 mm thicker than the current model, a change that could be to accommodate a long-rumored Mini-LED display that would offer better display performance compared to traditional LCDs. The 11-inch model will apparently remain the same thickness as the current model, which is in line with rumors that only the 12.9-inch model will initially get the Mini-LED display.

Second, the rear cameras are said to protrude less on the upcoming models. The overall camera bump remains, but the additional protrusion of the individual camera lenses is no longer required, leaving a flat camera bump.

Finally, there are apparently some changes to the design of the speakers, with the overall number of speaker holes on the sides reduced by two-thirds and the positions of the speaker holes changed compared to the current models.

Article Link: New iPad Pro Said to Launch in March, 12.9-Inch Model Could Be Slightly Thicker for Mini-LED Display

 

[icanhazmac]

12.9-Inch Model Could Be Slightly Thicker?!?!?!​

When Apple's new product is thicker than the old one they have my attention! Thinner and lighter is not always the way to go.

 

[Coolio1234]

Could they break the cycle and actually drop one this March? I‘ve never had an iPad before but it might be time!

 

[calstanford]

Thicker (and potentially heavier) for a screen that's barely better. Erm... This could be the second worse iPad Pro update after the 2020 one which added nothing but a useless Lidar sensor

 

[calstanford]

12.9-Inch Model Could Be Slightly Thicker?!?!?!​

When Apple's new product is thicker than the old one they have my attention! Thinner and lighter is not always the way to go.

when it gets to being a 12.9" iPad you hold in your hand and that is already heavier than a 13" MBP once you attach a keyboard, yea... sorry... I disagree. Lighter is better

 

[anshuvorty]

Second, the rear cameras are said to protrude less on the upcoming models. The overall camera bump remains, but the additional protrusion of the individual camera lenses is no longer required, leaving a flat camera bump.

If the overall thickness is increasing, then of course the rear cameras will protrude less! That is just common sense!

 

[icanhazmac]

when it gets to being a 12.9" iPad you hold in your hand and that is already heavier than a 13" MBP once you attach a keyboard, yea... sorry... I disagree. Lighter is better

To each their own. I use a 12.9 Gen1 for work everyday and I appreciate something solid in hand, if I wanted a keyboard attached I would use my MBP or my bluetooth MX Keys.

 

[jimthing]

F the larger Pro's. Where's a new iPad Mini with the main Pro features??
(Face ID, USB-C, Pencil 2, squared design.) Instant sales!!

 

[j_in_tx]

I wish they would let it drive a monitor as an extended display.

 

[adamw]

Bring on the new iPad Pros!

 

[appleguy123]

Thicker (and potentially heavier) for a screen that's barely better. Erm... This could be the second worse iPad Pro update after the 2020 one which added nothing but a useless Lidar sensor

Someone forgot about the iPad with Retina Display

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

when it gets to being a 12.9" iPad you hold in your hand and that is already heavier than a 13" MBP once you attach a keyboard, yea... sorry... I disagree. Lighter is better

Speaking as one that has had 3 different 12.9” iPads bend.... though I’ve owned many many other iPads of other sizes over the years, with no issues- I absolutely wholeheartedly welcome a thicker/sturdier 12.9” iPad.

 

[Mr. Dee]

I have the 2017 iPad Pro 12.9 and its so much computing for what I do on it. It has not so slowed down since I got, its like its even getting faster with each revision of iPad OS. It would be hard to justify the upgrade, but if I were to, I would want to wait until the end of the year. This is likely to be using the A14 SoC probably clocked higher, more cores and RAM and likely to be dubbed A14z to differentiate from the iPad Air.

Its just with this being a mid cycle product and the potential an iPad Air getting the A15 in September that's gonna be faster than what they release in March; it just does not make sense. If I were Apple, I would push out the iPad Pro update to fall '21 and push out the next iPad Air update to March 2022. This would bring some order.

Besides, iPhone 13 is likely gonna be an off year release, identical to the 12 with minor underwood upgrades.

 

[Ken88]

Great! While every other tech companies try to made their gadgets LIGHTER and SMALLER, Apple is making bigger, thicker and heavier gadgets just like Airpods Max..Apple company LATELY must be running by certain demographic people..you know..

 

[kyc]

0.5 mm is barely worth mentioning. Hoping that it will still work with the magic keyboard.

 

[rishiomedia]

Thicker? How would it fit the Magic Keyboard? Sometimes these rumors make no sense..

 

[glindon]

I don't think anyone would notice if it's .5 mm thicker. It should still work with the Magic keyboard without any problems unless Apple decides it needs to sell a shiny new $400 keyboard that's even more magical. I do hope that it's thinner and lighter though. Adding mini led will probably mean it's either heavier or has to have a smaller battery to stay the same weight.

 

[AdamNC]

😂. .5 mm has people concerned. Wow.

 

[Homme]

Thicker? How would it fit the Magic Keyboard? Sometimes these rumors make no sense..

Its Macokatara. Take them with multiple grains of salt as they aren’t a reliable source

 

[Woochoo]

Speaking as one that has had 3 different 12.9” iPads bend.... though I’ve owned many many other iPads of other sizes over the years, with no issues- I absolutely wholeheartedly welcome a thicker/sturdier 12.9” iPad.

Do you happen to put it in your bag full of books/heavy stuff that pressures it when in your back? Because I can't think any other"normal usage" way to bend that aluminum

 

[Realityck]

While I am looking forward to updated 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with newer ARM.
I also like to see them incorporate some of the updated iPad Pro features into rumored 8.5" iPad mini 6th gen please.

 

[Ken88]

The positive ARE: less prone to bending..Jerryrideverything is standby and is ready😆🔨, after few weeks of usage, your arms will be stronger and thicker😆

 

[sakurarain]

i will continue using my 1st Gen 12.9" Pro until it dies.

 

[BvizioN]

12.9-Inch Model Could Be Slightly Thicker?!?!?!​

When Apple's new product is thicker than the old one they have my attention! Thinner and lighter is not always the way to go.

Mobile handheld devices: Thinner/Lighter = better experience as long as battery life is not compromised. At least for me. Smart speakers, Apple TV, Mac Pro, "Apple Car", Monitors, make them as thick as you like, don't care,

 

[Darth Tulhu]

A little thicker doesn't concern me. I'll wait and see if it is as nice and powerful as I hope it will be. And more importantly, that Apple fixes the mirroring-only BS in iPadOS already (even if it's later in the year) so I can hook it up to a monitor properly.