A questionable new rumor claims a special version of iPadOS 17 is in the works for rumored bigger iPads. Here’s why it makes no sense at all.
- A new rumor suggests “a special version of iPadOS 17” is in the works to cater to bigger screens like the rumored 14.1-inch iPad Pro.
- The same source claims the 14.1-inch iPad Pro might support two 6K displays simultaneously, each at a 60hz refresh rate.
- The rumor might be wrong: It doesn’t make any sense for Apple to maintain an entirely new iPadOS build just to account for new screen sizes and resolutions.
Rumor: A new iPadOS 17 build for bigger screens
The unusual piece of information, to say the least, comes via @analyst941 on Twitter. The tipster also mentions that connecting multiple displays to a single iPad could be achieved by daisy-chaining Thunderbolt displays.
In the same breath, @analyst941 speculates that support for multiple monitors might mean that the 14.1-inch iPad Pro is getting multiple Thunderbolt ports.
Although @analyst941 did correctly predict the Dynamic Island feature ahead of the iPhone 14 unveiling, the account needs an established track record.
Moreover, @analyst941 has shared a bunch of details about iOS 17 in a way that suggests throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks.
I’ve heard there’s a special version of iPadOS 17, being developed specifically for larger iPad Pro/Ultra/Studio model(s), there’s a slight change that would give the 14.1” model support for up to 2 6K displays at 60hz.
This signals for a definite M3 Pro SoC in the flagship iPad https://t.co/7FcOyaZFdv
— 941 (@analyst941) April 27, 2023
Why this rumor makes no sense to us
While we’ll give @analydt941 the benefit of the doubt, you have been warned—take this rumor with a pinch of salt. Realistically, Apple has no viable reason to fork a new iPadOS build just to account for bigger screens in the future.
On the other hand, I could very well be in the wrong here, but only time will tell if this prediction has any merit. Everything related to handling different screen resolutions could be easily programmed into the existing iPadOS build, and our take is that @analyst941 should scrutinize unusual information they hear much harder.
Anyway, the mystery will be resolved at the upcoming WWDC, which runs from June 5-9, where Apple will preview the next major versions of its operating systems.