With rumors circulating about an upcoming iPad Pro refresh, which could be unveiled on Tuesday, March 23, as part of an upcoming Apple Event, it appears that at least one additional manufacturer has already started preparing.
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A photo shared on Reddit today shows a Speck foil listed as compatible with an as yet unannounced 2021 model of the 11-inch iPad Pro, in addition to older models of the 11-inch iPad Pro and the iPad Air of 10.9 inches. The user who submitted the photo said he found the folio on the shelf at Target, but when they tried to buy it, the cashier said that the item could only be sold on April 6th.
While the packaging does not explicitly state that the new 11-inch iPad is a Pro model, it is almost certainly the device it would refer to, as no other iPad has an 11-inch screen. The ninth generation iPad, for example, has a 10.5-inch screen like the third-generation iPad Air.
While it’s hard to draw any firm conclusions from photos like this, it’s possible that Speck learned that the next 11-inch iPad Pro will be much the same in identical dimensions as the current model. This will not be too surprising, as there are no rumors of a major redesign for the next iPad Pro, with key new features expected to include a Mini-LED display, faster A14X chip and 5G support on cellular models will include.
We also won’t read too much into Target’s supposed April 6 sale date for the Speck folio, but it’s at least within the ball of the end of March to early April for the next iPad Pro update released by DigiTimes earlier today.
Interestingly, most rumors only mention a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro and not an 11-inch model, but the devices are usually updated at the same time. March is a common month for Apple to announce new or updated products, with other rumored products including the long-awaited AirTags, a new Apple TV, new AirPods and more Apple silicone Macs.
Apple last updated its iPad Pro series in March 2020 with a marginally improved A12Z chip, an Ultra Wide camera, a LiDAR scanner and better-sounding microphones.
(Thanks, Greg!)