Rumor has it that much of this year has been about whether and when Apple will change its iPhone line from Lightning to USB-C, a divisive move that is now expected to happen in 2023. However, while this It seems that the company has been working quietly to complete the same transition for the iPad.
The iPad Pro had USB-C in 2018; the iPad Air followed in 2020; and the iPad mini was replaced in 2021. Apple is now ready to upgrade the 10.2-inch iPad and stop Lightning from its tablet line completely, according to 9to5Mac sources.
As the cheapest tablet sold by Apple, the 10.2-inch model is usually the latest to get desirable features. In addition to a USB-C port instead of the current Lightning port, the 10th-generation iPad (which 9to5Mac says is codenamed J272) will also complete Apple’s transition to 5G.
You may be the last to do so, but the standard iPad that makes these changes is very important. It is Apple’s most popular iPad and will drag a large portion of the population using tablets to USB-C and 5G standards.
One transition that will not be joined, however, is the switch to silicon from Apple. The report says the 10th-generation iPad will feature an A14 Bionic processor instead of the M1 chip in current iPad Pro and Air models. The entry-level iPad will probably have to wait until the iPad mini gets a Class M chip; the 6th generation mini has an A15.
As for the rest of the specs, 9to5Mac sources say the screen size is likely to increase from the current 10.2 inches to 10.5 or even 10.9 inches, and will have the same resolution than the current iPad Air. But they’re not sure if this will be accompanied by a larger redesign to remove the home button and move the Touch ID sensor to the top power button.
Hopefully the new iPad will be announced in the fall of this year along with the iPhone 14: For the latest rumors, check out our iPad 10.2 2022 superguide. Current range with our guide to the best iPad deals.