Apple will release new iPad Pro and iPad Air models “around the end of March or in April” along with new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil accessories predicts Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman.
The Sellers Research Group (that’s me) expects the announcements on either Monday, March 18, or Tuesday, March 19.
The biggest change will likely be OLED displays on the iPad Pro line-up. This could mean the updated tablets would be even thinner and lighter design than current models.
Speaking of which, the 11-inch model may slim down by 13.5% to about 3.2 inches, while the 12.9-inch model is likely to shrink by 21.8% to 3.1 inches. This makes them the slimmest flagship tablets you can get your hands on. What’s more, the display on the bigger model will, I think, grow slightly — from 12.9 inches to 13 inches.
Such changes may see a price hike in the tablet line-up. Apple’s upcoming OLED iPad Pro will start at $1,500, rising to between $1,800 and $2,000 depending on size and configuration, representing a major increase in prices compared to Apple’s current equivalents, according to the news aggregator account “yeux1122” on the Naver blog.
However, I’m going out on a limb and predict that any price hikes won’t be more than $100.
The rumor mill says that the orientation of Face ID will be tweaked — and I think that’s true. The orientation will favor landscape mode, which matches up with how most users interact with their iPads.
Look for the iPad Pros to get support for MagSafe charging, although theres’s a chance this might not happen.Why? Apparently, MagSafe charging works better with a glass back, but that would make the iPad Pro more fragile. Having an aluminum back would make it difficult to make the device compatible with the MagSafe Charger.
As for the iPad Air Gurman, is expecting two new models with the M2 chip, a landscape-oriented front camera, and a (first-ever) 12.9-inch model. He expects a new Magic Keyboard to ave a sturdier frame made from aluminum, which will allow the iPad to more closely resemble a laptop.
What new features might an Apple Pencil 3 include? Previous rumors have suggested the following:
° New sensors for more haptic feedback features;
° The tip of the Apple Pencil could have new tech that supports additional features or more accurate drawing accuracy.
° Support for a rolling gesture that would allow you to zoom in on the iPad.
° A pivotal end that allows for rolling and sliding gestures.
° And (the least likely of all to appear next year): the ability for the Apple Pencil to scan colors from real-life environments into the iPad.
