It's very likely that we'll see a new 2022 iPad Pro before the end of the year, but the main "update" might not be the display or the chipset. Instead, it could be the connectors, with the current three-pin smart connector possibly replaced by a pair of four-pin connectors.
That's according to "reliable sources in China," speaking to Macotakara (opens in a new tab), in a report spotted by 9to5Mac (opens in a new tab). Apparently, the upcoming iPad Pro 11 (2022) and iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) will have the same case designs as the current models, but with 4-pin connectors on the "top and bottom side edges."
This wording is a bit ambiguous, especially since it's not primarily an English site, so we don't know if they're referring to the upper and lower back when held in portrait mode or when held in landscape mode, but it seems neither.
The report also doesn't specifically state whether these new connectors would replace or add to the existing three-pin smart connector, but we imagine they would be used instead. Otherwise, that's a lot of connectors.
We'd take that with a pinch of salt as it's an odd claim, especially when we've previously heard that the iPad Pro 2022 could support MagSafe, which in itself might seem like overkill if there are also two Smart Connectors. And with MagSafe using a five-pin connector, that's not what they're talking about here.
It's also unclear why the extra pin could be used, though the report speculates that it could be used to help power peripherals. However, the existing smart plug already does this, so perhaps that means more power could be delivered.
We're also not sure how useful it would be to have two of these connectors, given that these are mostly just keyboards using the current smart connector, so there aren't many use cases where two accessories could usefully connect at the same time. same time, unless Apple has planned new types of accessories.
This rumor actually raises more questions than it answers, so we'd refrain from making too much of it, but it's certainly intriguing. Although it comes with a very large potential downside.
Analysis: Old accessories could be incompatible
The biggest potential problem with this move is that it could make accessories, like the current Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard, incompatible with the new iPad Pro.
It's something you'd expect when the sizes change, but with these upcoming models seemingly identical to their predecessors, it would be a shame if new accessories were needed, especially given the high cost of these devices.
Of course, even if this rumor is true, which is a big "if," it doesn't guarantee that current Smart Connector accessories won't work. They may still be compatible with this newer four-pin version, or perhaps the old three-pin connector will stick around as well, but incompatibility is definitely an issue.
Given that Apple is also supposed to switch from Lightning to USB-C in the iPhone, possibly as early as next year, we could see Apple fans having to replace almost all of their accessories within a year, assuming both rumors come true. So it could be an even costlier time for iDevice users than usual.
Still, many of the best iPads aren't iPad Pros, which means you can still save money by upgrading to a cheaper model.