The next iPad Pro models are rumored to adopt near bezel-less displays without any Home buttons, featuring Face ID biometric authentication with landscape support, a brand-new Magnetic Connector for third-party accessories, support for an updated Apple Pencil with seamless AirPods-like Bluetooth pairing and more.
Latest iPad Pro rumblings
Brazilian developer Guilherme Rambo said yesterday on 9to5Mac that unnamed sources familiar with the development have corroborated much of the evidence previously unearthed from the iOS 12.1 beta, which includes references to an “iPad2018Fall” device.
Sources also offered additional details…
Edge-to-edge design
Despite their edge-to-edge display design, the new iPad Pros won’t have a notch. “Even though the new 2018 iPad Pro models will sport thinner bezels, those bezels will still be wide enough to accommodate the TrueDepth camera system necessary for Face ID,” the article notes.
4K HDR video out
2018 iPad Pros will feature 4K HDR video output via a new USB-C port. You’ll control resolution, HDR, brightness and other settings for connected external displays via a new panel in the Settings app.
Model identifiers
There will be two Wi-Fi models in both size options, and two LTE models in both size options.
Model identifiers for Wi-Fi versions will be “iPad8,1”, “iPad8,2”, “iPad8,5” and “iPad8,6”. Cellular models will have these identifiers: “iPad8,3”, “iPad8,4”, “iPad8,7” and “iPad8,8”.
Face ID in any orientation
Face ID will work in both portrait and landscape orientations, but won’t work upside down. Also, the Face ID setup process must be completed in portrait orientation.
2018 iPad Pros will use the same image signal processor (ISP) for Face ID as the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR smartphones. Because Apple’s ISPs are integrated onto the main A-series system-on-a-chip, we can infer that the upcoming tablets will use Apple’s latest A12 Bionic chip, likely featuring increased CPU clock frequency and additional GPU cores.
Updated Apple Pencil
A new version of Apple Pencil will use Bluetooth proximity information for seamless pairing akin to AirPods or HomePod. Switching between devices will be possible without connecting your Apple Pencil to the charging port because pairing information will be instantly delivered to all devices via iCloud.
Introducing Magnetic Connector
A new Magnetic Connector for accessories will be on the rear side. Apple will build a new version of the Smart Keyboard accessory to work with the new connector. Third-party accessories will be permitted to use the Magnetic Connector, too.
Cool or what?
What do you make of these tidbits regarding the upcoming iPad Pro refresh? Specifically, what would you use 4K HDR video output via USB-C for? Would any of the above improvements be enough to have you consider upgrading?
Let us know in the comments down below.
iPad Pro rendering courtesy of MySmartPrice and OnLeaks