Rumor Claims Next iPad Pro to Feature New Four-Pin Connectors

[MacRumors]

A new rumor claims that the next-generation 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro will feature two new four-pin connectors of some sort, distinguished from the current three-pin Smart Connector in the iPad Pro.

The rumor from Mac Otakara, citing "reliable sources," says that the next iPad Pro, expected to debut possibly as soon as this fall, will feature a new connector on the top and bottom edges of the device that has four pins rather than three. The publication suggests that the new connector could be intended to power accessories connected to the device's Thunderbolt port.

Apple is working on updated versions of both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro that are expected to launch in September or October. It has been recently reported that Apple plans to delay the launch of iPadOS 16 until October, which could coincide with the launch of new iPads. The 2022 iPad Pro will feature the M2 Apple silicon chip and MagSafe charging capabilities. You can learn more about the 2022 iPad Pro with our dedicated guide.

Article Link: Rumor Claims Next iPad Pro to Feature New Four-Pin Connectors

 

[TheDailyApple]

The Smart Connector is used to connect a wide variety of accessories to the iPad

"Wide variety"? I wasn't aware of any other accessories that currently use it besides the keyboard.

 

[macsplusmacs]

More (faster) bandwidth (4 instead of 3 pins) for mag-safe charging?

 

[GMShadow]

Hopefully it’s just an extra pin to the side and existing accessories still work…

 

[Premium1]

Ah yes, another change for the environment so that any 3 pin smart connector accessories won't work with the new models.

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Hopefully it’s just an extra pin to the side and existing accessories still work…

Yeah

 

[BarrettF77]

Wow Apple is greedy. Basically this means same form factor, but one change to ensure the old case cannot be used.

Tim Crook at it’s finest.

 

[fwmireault]

Improved charging speed over the connector and maybe support for light data transfer would be a nice addition

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

I wish accessories companies would make seamless products to actually use the three-pin connector.

 

[B-Mc-C]

If the 11” still doesn’t have mini-LED I’m going to be pissed. So far I think it has been rumored to keep the same gimped LCD display.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Improved charging speed over the connector and maybe support for light data transfer would be a nice addition

They should just eliminate the USB-C then, make it a portless iPad ☺️

 

[Benjamin Nabulsi]

Ask Logitech if any 3rd party would even consider investing in accessories for their "smart connector".

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Wow Apple is greedy. Basically this means same form factor, but one change to ensure the old case cannot be used.

Tim Crook at it’s finest.

Calm down, it’s just a rumor

 

[Archmage]

I wish accessories companies would make seamless products to actually use the three-pin connector.

I actually saw one of those Logitech bases out in the wild! A restaurant had it at their host stand.

 

[The Cappy]

I wish they'd make it so the iPad could sit either landscape or portrait in the magic keyboard. When the monitor is small, I prefer writing using a monitor in portrait mode.

 

[Drisin]

A new rumor claims that the next-generation 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro will feature a new four-pin Smart Connector, an update from the current three-pin connector in the iPad Pro.

The rumor from Macotakara, citing "reliable sources," says that the next iPad Pro, expected to debut possibly as soon as this fall, will feature a new Smart Connector that has four-pins rather than three. The publication suggests that the additional pin could make it easier to power accessories through the Smart Connector. The Smart Connector is used to connect accessories such as the Magic Keyboard to the iPad and can also provide power to both the iPad and the connected peripheral.

Apple is working on updated versions of both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro that are expected to launch in September or October. It has been recently reported that Apple plans to delay the launch of iPadOS 16 until October, which could coincide with the launch of new iPads. The 2022 iPad Pro will feature the M2 Apple silicon chip and MagSafe charging capabilities. You can learn more about the 2022 iPad Pro with our dedicated guide.

Article Link: Rumor Claims Next iPad Pro to Feature New Four-Pin Smart Connector

OMG! Another $%#@* adapter!!!?? So now the 2022 iPads are obsolete?! Way to go TIM! What an innovator?! Your job is truly a CFO and not a CEO! Apple TV sucks! Apple home pod?! waste of money and quite frankly it nor my home pod mini have never worked as well as the SONOS speakers! I'm so sick and tired of Apple products? If anyone remembers MS during the 90s and how bloated the company OS became, I feel that apple is now at the same location. Come on Elon---- bring us something reliable, that we don't need to update every year and will actually do what it is suppose to do while innovating! This is what happens when there is a monopoly! No innovation. Who here agrees that Apple TV is a "Great" invention. or that the Home Pod is truly functional? or that I -tunes is just a game changer? Anyone? Anyone? Bueler?

 

[seek3r]

Improved charging speed over the connector and maybe support for light data transfer would be a nice addition

If the USBC port on the magic keyboard supported data it would actually make a super slick docking station, it’s irritated me a bit for a while now that it doesnt

 

[NinjaHERO]

Interesting if this somehow provides additional functionality. Otherwise, seems like a move to make older accessories useless. Also, I hope magsafe charging means at a port and not the back of the Ipad. That seems less convenient to me. But, I desperately need a new Ipad Pro, so I'm probably getting whatever this is. Hope it's great.

 

[bored]

So by extrapolation, in 26 years Apple will introduce a 30-pin connector. Just like the good ol' days of 2003.

 

[jmgregory1]

Hopefully this is the change to wireless charging that we’ve been hearing about. There is zero reason to go to a Qi inductive charging solution on an iPad, when they already have the Smart Connector which works for both charging connectivity. It could easily be a new version of MagSafe.

 

[iDento]

I’ll wait for the 5 pins one.

 

[_Spinn_]

A more capable smart connector sounds promising. Hopefully it will get more accessories in the future.

 

[femike]

If this is true, this is extremely poor planning or incompetence by the engineers when they first introduced the smart connector. Absolutely no foresight by whoever was responsible. Or maybe it was deliberate.

 

[contacos]

„Sorry, your existing Smart Keyboard won’t work but we are happy to sell you the new one. We even increased the price“

 

[jmgregory1]

„Sorry, your existing Smart Keyboard won’t work but we are happy to sell you the new one. We even increased the price“

To not move forward with new technology, just because you don’t want to change, would be the death of any innovation. Horses worked fine, so why change to a car, or cars and boats work fine, so why do we need airplanes. I’m not saying that whatever Apple is going to do with new Smart Connectors or MagSafe and iPads is going to drastically change the world, but there is zero reason to complain about said changes. And as is so often the case, the existing products, M1 iPad Pro and Keyboard for example, do not stop working just because a new better version has been released - with some new connector or technology.