According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple Inc. plans to announce new iPads as early as April, adding to a product line that has performed particularly well during the restrictions imposed due to the lockdown where people work and study from home.
The Cupertino-based company plans to include the new devices in its iPad Pro line, adding a better processor and improved cameras. However, its looks and screen size, 1-inch and 12.9-inch, will be similar to the current iPad Pros.
The devices will have an updated processor, which will be on par with the faster M1 chip present in the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Apple designs these processors, and typically manufacturing is outsourced to TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.). With at least the larger model, Apple is looking to include a Mini-LED screen, which would be brighter and have improved contrast ratios.
According to Bloomberg, “in testing, the new iPad Pros have used a Thunderbolt connector, the same port on the latest Macs with custom Apple processors. The port doesn’t require new chargers, but it would enable connectivity with additional external monitors, hard drives and other peripherals. It’s also faster at syncing data than the USB-C technology used in the current models.”
An Apple spokeswoman refused to comment on the matter. However, the company’s plans could change as it announced its first product launch event of the year.
During the key holiday quarter of 2020, the iPad generated $8.4 billion in revenue for Apple, the most since 2014. Sales surged due to the increase in demand from people working and studying from home during the pandemic. As working and studying begin returning to offices and schools in the coming months, Apple will be betting on the new iPad models to maintain interest in the tablet line.
In March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, the iPad Pro was last updated, adding a tweaked processor, a lidar scanner alongside the camera, and support for the Magic Keyboard with a Trackpad case.
Bloomberg News has reported earlier that Apple plans to refresh its cheapest iPad aimed at students with a thinner and lighter design later this year. This year, it’s also preparing to launch a new iPad mini with a larger screen.
Apple has several other product updates planned for this year, including the new iPhones and Apple Watches, major updates to the MacBook Pro laptop and iMac desktop, and an accessory for tracking physical objects’ location.
