Apple last updated the lineup of iPad Pros in May 2021 and development on the next generation is known to be well underway. But when will it arrive, what design changes will it have and what new features and technologies will it include?
In this article, we gather all the news and leaks that we have been able to know about the new iPad Pro of 2022.
When will the next iPad Pro be announced?
It is expected that the new iPad Pro models will be announced in the fall of 2022, most likely at a special event that should be held in September (along with iPhone 14) or October.
Some optimists thought that the new Pros would arrive at the spring event or at WWDC 2022, but this has already been proven that this has not been the case. Apple has never released two generations of iPad Pro within a year of each other, instead typically waiting 14-17 months between releases.
These have been the releases:
- iPad Pro (5th generation): May 2021
- iPad Pro (4th generation): March 2020
- iPad Pro (3rd generation): November 2018
- iPad Pro (2nd generation): June 2017
- iPad Pro (1st generation): November 2015 and March 2016
So far, there haven’t been too many leaks directly from the supply chain, which would indicate that the development process isn’t very far along yet.
How much will the new iPad Pro (2022) cost?
For now we can only speculate on the price of the new model, as Apple has not yet made any kind of announcement in this regard. In this sense, we have to guide ourselves with the launch prices of the latest generations.
This was the base price of the models at launch:
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (2021): €1,119 / MXN$28,999
- iPad Pro 11″ (2021): €879 / MXN$20,999
- iPad Pro 12.9″ (2020): €1,099 / MXN$26,499
- iPad Pro 11″ (2020): €879 / MXN$20,999
With this in mind, we think Apple will stick to €1,119 / MXN$28,999 for the larger model, while the 11-inch iPad Pro could be the same price for the third year in a row.
The new features that will come to the 2022 iPad Pro
What surprises does Apple have prepared for the 2022 update?
Updated panel for the 11″ iPad Pro
One of the strongest rumors for now is that the 11-inch iPad Pro will also introduce the mini-LED screen, which we already found in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro from 2021. This technology allows more control over contrast and enhances the colors and maximum brightness of the screen.
If you haven’t yet been able to try out this technology, which Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR, we recommend you take a look at our review of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro from 2021. It is also believed that it will come to the next MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
15″ giant screen
Speaking of screens, we present to you a rather unlikely rumour. Could Apple be preparing an iPad with a 15″ screen instead of 12.9″?
Some supply chain sources say an Apple partner is working on huge 15-inch OLED panels that could make it to the iPad at some point. Bloomberg Mark Gurman claims to have tested iPads from 14″ to 16″.
We don’t think that will be the case this year as it looks like they are only at the beginning of product development and it shouldn’t be for another year or two. In any case, when it does (if it does), it will surely be much more expensive (even) than it is now.
Glass back and wireless charging
Various publications, including BloombergThey assure that the new iPad Pros will have glass backs and not the current aluminum ones. That would allow the introduction of wireless charging to the range of iPads for the first time.
Although it has been rumored that Apple could get rid of all the ports, we think that will not happen for now, since professional users like to be able to plug accessories. Wireless charging would be a nice complement and not a substitute for USB-C.
reverse charge
The introduction of wireless charging could mean the arrival of another popular feature on Android devices: reverse charging. Apple could turn the iPad into a kind of charging dock for the iPhone 13 or Apple Watch Series 7.
M1 Pro, M1 Max or M2 processor
Apple always likes to include its best processors in its tablets professionals, which makes them incredibly powerful. If so, we could see the arrival of the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips (which we first saw in the MacBook Pros of 2021) to the iPad Pros of 2022.
However, it is also likely that Apple will bet on the latest generation of its Apple Silicon: the M2 chip, which it presented during WWDC 2022 together with the new 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.
