iPad Pro redesign and more iPad updates tipped for 2022

iPad Pro redesign and more than iPad updates tipped for 2022

The 2021 10.2-inch Apple iPad face down on a pile of books.

The 10.2-inch entry-level iPad for 2021. (Paradigm credit: Future)

Over the last year Apple has treated united states of america to new models of the iPad Pro, the iPad mini, and the entry-level ten.2-inch iPad, but it doesn't appear to exist slowing down – updated versions of several Apple slates are rumored to be in the pipeline for 2022.

This comes via the usually reliable Mark Gurman and his Power On newsletter at Bloomberg: updates for the iPad Pro, the iPad Air and the ten.2-inch iPad are all mentioned, with the iPad Pro manifestly in line for a significant redesign.

A refresh of the iPad Air would make sense, as we final saw a new model in that item line in 2020, but it seems that Apple tree isn't going to wait more than a year to update the other tablets – it's only the iPad mini that doesn't get a mention in the 2022 plans.

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Going Pro

Of the 3 iPad models Gurman is predicting we'll run into an update for, we know most nigh the iPad Pro, which Apple currently sells in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes. This is in line for some kind of redesign, which apparently includes support for wireless charging (which is something that pro-level users now expect).

Nosotros heard the same prediction from the aforementioned source a few months ago, and these revamped iPad Pros for 2022 are said to be coming with drinking glass backs and support for the new MagSafe charging engineering science that'south appeared on recent iPhone models.

Back then, the word was that the redesign could be delayed or even canceled, but it now seems that Apple is going alee – and updating two other iPad models at the same time. We'll have to come across what else the product refreshes bring, though faster internal processors are almost sure to be on the agenda.

Analysis: the development of the iPad isn't slowing downwardly

iPad mini 2021 — The 2021 iPad mini. (Paradigm credit: TechRadar)

The iPad in all its various guises is responsible for nearly a 3rd of all the tablets sold worldwide, which puts Apple way ahead of anybody else when it comes to these devices – Samsung makes some fine tablets too, just it accounts for only ane in five tablets sold.

Despite this market lead, Apple tree isn't resting on its honor, and for the most role is following the annual refresh approach that it uses for the iPhone to go on its tablets fresh and relevant. While the yr-on-year upgrades might not exist huge, they mean that you lot're never going to come across an outdated iPad.

That's non to say everything is perfect when information technology comes to the Apple tree iPad line. The pop iPad mini had to wait a while for its last update, while the apply of USB-C on the iPad Pros and Lightning connectors on the other iPad models is a confusing badgerer that you don't normally get when information technology comes to Apple products.

However, this latest rumor suggests that Apple'southward iPad strategy will remain an aggressive one – non simply with the hardware, but too with the iPadOS software that Apple tree updates every year with new features and functionality.

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Dave is a freelance tech journalist who has been writing about gadgets, apps and the web for more than two decades. On TechRadar you'll find him covering news, features and reviews, specially for phones, tablets and wearables.