Despite each iPad launch cycle passing without so much as a hint from Apple, rumours suggesting the company plans to launch a larger iPad Pro refuse to go away.
On Monday, the mythical slate was back in the headlines thanks to the appearance of images claiming to show a ‘dummy’ shell for the iPad Pro. The snaps appear to show casing with an unidentified port on the side of the device.
Reports have speculated this additional port may be a secondary Lightning port or a USB-C slot, suggesting users will be able to physically connect accessories or charge the device in different ways.
While it is entirely plausible Apple will seek to bring the tech to the iPad line in due course, it’s unlikely its inclusion would come as an additional port. It seems more probable that Apple would drop Lightning completely and replace it it with USB-C.
Read more: iPad Pro release date, rumours, news, specs and price
MacRumours suggests the dummy case, which was first picked up by Dutch site VandaagApple, may have been created by a third-party case manufacturer. The site claims these cases often appear based on rumours or ‘leaked schematics.’
Elsewhere on the case is a speaker grille, headphone jack, a camera lens with light sensor, a microphone and volume buttons.
It has been relatively quiet on the iPad Pro front since Apple refreshed its iPad Air and iPad mini lines before Christmas.
However, previous rumours have suggested the business-focused device will have a 12.9-inch Retina Display, an A8X processor, 2GB RAM, Touch ID and stylus support.
Do you think an iPad Pro is still on Apple’s radar as it attempts to combat falling tablet sales? Let us know your thoughts below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
