New rumor claims 2018 iPad Pros will be smaller, drop headphone jacks

Apple's anticipated iPad Pro refresh will see both the 10.5- and 12.9-inch models shrink in some dimensions, but also lose their headphone jacks, a report claimed on Friday.

The 10.5-inch model will go from 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 millimeters to 247.5 x 178.7 x 6, according to Japanese site Macotakara. The 12.9-inch device will allegedly switch from 305.7 x 220.6 x 6.9 millimeters to 280 x 215 x 6.4.

Those specifications would be consistent with multiple rumors that Apple is planning to bring the Pro line closer to an edge-to-edge display, akin to the iPhone X. The absence of a headphone jack hasn't been strongly hinted at however, and Macotakara further says that Apple won't bundle Lightning-to-3.5mm adapters, which might make for an abrupt transition.

Another potentially dubious claim in the report is that while the new Pros will adopt Face ID — something that has been asserted repeatedly — they won't support recognition in landscape mode. That would cause trouble, since many people use iPads primarily or exclusively in that orientation, especially if they own a keyboard.

Finally, Macotakara indicates that Smart Connectors will move to the "lower rear side" of iPads, near their Lightning connectors.

Apple is expected to ship its new Pro models sometime this fall.

83 Comments

ascii 5930 comments · 19 Years

About 6 years ago

The iPad design tends to follow the iPhone design (but more powerful) so not to hard to make predictions after the release of the corresponding iPhone generation.

fastasleep 6450 comments · 14 Years

ascii said:

The iPad design tends to follow the iPhone design (but more powerful) so not to hard to make predictions after the release of the corresponding iPhone generation.

This is all based on purported specs coming from a supplier, they're not guessing based on an iPhone design.

fastasleep said:

ascii said:

The iPad design tends to follow the iPhone design (but more powerful) so not to hard to make predictions after the release of the corresponding iPhone generation.

This is all based on purported specs coming from a supplier, they're not guessing based on an iPhone design.

Yup and good on them for getting that source. But we all know the iPhone is 70% of Apple's business, and that the iPad and Mac just get hand-me-down software and hardware features from that. So its just confirmation of what people would have guessed anyway, nice to have but not a surprise.

However with recent reports that the cellphone market is finally becoming "saturated" this is where it gets interesting! Will Apple move primary focus to wearables now? All companies want growth. Will computer, tablet, phone all get hand-me-down from wearables? I actually think wearables are very cool and want them to be the primary focus of one company at least.

anome 1545 comments · 16 Years

AppleInsider said:
Finally, Macotakara indicates that Smart Connectors will move to the "lower rear side" of iPads, near their Lightning connectors.

That's similar to the reports that the Smart Connector would be in that position on the iPhone for the past few years. Doesn't work, since the keyboard cover would still need to attach on the left edge of the device. The design of the Smart Connector means having it anywhere other than an edge makes it less useful as a connector. Putting it near the Lightning Connector leaves you wondering why you don't just use that, since it has more functionality.