Mike Wuerthele
A radical refresh to the iPad Pro with 5G and mini LED may not arrive until 2021, if a new rumor is accurate.
A pair of leakers have discussed another iPad Pro refresh on Twitter. Not only does one leaker identify iPad Pro prototypes by Apple codenames — specifically J517 for a a refresh of the 11-inch iPad Pro, and J522 for the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro — but the other discusses 5G connectivity and screens.
The tweets, by the Fudge and L0vetodream accounts, claims that iPad Pro models with A14X processors, mini LED screens, and 5G connectivity will arrive "next year" in the first half of the year.
iPad Pros with A14x, codenamed J517 (small) and J522 (big)
— Fudge (@choco_bit) June 3, 2020
with mini led and 5G X55 baseband https://t.co/1C57Oms2HX
— (@L0vetodream) June 3, 2020
This is in line with a report from April, suggesting that the iPad Pro refresh may not arrive until 2021.
The iPad Pro refresh is said to be Apple's first tablet to have 5G connectivity, arriving around the same time as the 2020 iPhone range which is also believed to be adopting the communications technology. It is likely an iPad Pro refresh to include 5G would have helped Apple promote adoption of 5G connections within its customer base, as well as enabling it to use more 5G modems and benefit from economies of scale.
The model has also been previously rumored to be equipped with a Mini LED display, with reports in February and March pointing not only to the screen technology's usage, but also an arrival in late 2020. Reports at the time pointed to an expansion of production for mini LED components ahead of Apple issuing its orders, though it was unclear if the coronavirus impacted production in that field.
Apple has refreshed the iPad Pro lineup in March, with a small specification bump and the gaining of rear LiDAR being relatively minor improvements to the product range.
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5 Comments
8 GB RAM too hopefully. Holding out for miniLED and 8 GB RAM. Hopefully, they offer 8 GB and 16 GB RAM options.
Hopefully these mini-LEDs will finally give us laptop-size displays that are readable outdoors in sunlight. B)
I wasn’t going to wait because who knows when it will arrive, or if there will be delays. My 12.9” 2020 iPad with the new Magic Keyboard is not only a stunning combination, but meets all of my needs (and then some) as well.
The A14X is way more interesting than mini LED. I guess if you watch a lot of video on your iPad (video editors?) then maybe mini LED is important but as an iPad Pro owner, I don’t find that the screen is lacking in contrast. The same with 5G, it’s just not very interesting yet—it might be important for longevity.
Headline just corrected to mini LED in the last few minutes, while I was reading it. :)