The rumor mill was working overtime not too long ago trying to paint a picture of what the 2018 iPad Pro lineup would look like, but it has since gone pretty quiet ever since Apple’s September event came and went.
But a new report from 9to5Mac aims to shed some light on what’s coming down the pipe, echoing the majority of rumors we’ve heard in the past, reinforcing what we are all expect to see later this year. First and foremost, the new report echoes that the new iPad Pro models, which will come in two variants with differences in screen sizes, will boast minimized bezels and lack a physical Home button.
Which also means the new tablets will feature Face ID with the TrueDepth Camera system in place. The new report states that Face ID will indeed support landscape orientation, something that’s basically a requirement for a tablet and still not present on iPhones.
The new report says that the new iPad Pro models will be able to output 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range) content to external displays, something we’ve heard in the past as well:
“With its USB-C port, the 2018 iPad Pro will be able to output 4K HDR video to external displays. To accommodate this feature, there will be a new panel in the settings app where users will be able to control resolution, HDR, brightness and other settings for connected external displays.”
The new iPad Pro models will also support a new magnetic connector/Smart Connector, with the placement set on the back of the device, rather than the side. That would line up with previous rumors if this turns out to be true, allowing for an even broader range of accessories to be supported by the tablets.
And finally, the new report says that Apple is planning on launching a new Apple Pencil this year as well. The primary change will be the pairing process, which will work through proximity similar to the AirPods. It will also be able to switch devices without having to be connected via the Lightning port. Something to be aware of, though: This report says that it’s “unclear whether the current model of Apple Pencil will work with the new iPad”.
