M2 iPad Pro Leaks and Rumours!
Do you need that much power?
The M1 iPad Pro launched in the Spring loaded Apple event alongside the new fancy coloured iMacs and the Purple coloured iPhone.
I was astounded to see a computer chip — The M1, to be implemented inside the iPad Pro.
In a few months, there will be a blockbuster change in the Tablet industry that Apple is already leading. They will raise the bar higher than ever, making the next generation of iPads genuinely act like a computer. I will be reviewing and also checking out the few leaks and rumours that have broken news sites in the past few days.
Wireless MagSafe Charging
Leaks have been disclosed regarding Apple working on reverse charging to charge one’s AirPods and iPhone from the back cover of the iPad Pro. This is done through a process called Inductive Reverse Charging. It uses electromagnetic induction to provide electricity to portable devices.
Of course, like all other types of magnetic charging, it is a gradual and slow process, but it is pretty beneficial if your AirPods run out of battery when you are out doing some chores. The iPad will be advantageous in many cases, especially if you are an enthusiastic listener of music(like me!)
Wired MagSafe Charging
What about wired MagSafe charging like the ones seen in the new MacBook Pros?
Wait no more! OK, you have to wait for more than a year for these machines to launch. However, the upcoming M2 iPad Pro might receive a feature that could save you a couple of hundred dollars; if you are clumsy.
And obviously, the Thunderbolt 3/USB-C port will remain.
The USB-C port can do so much — run an external monitor, access flash drives, connect to speakers, etc. But an iPad user always has to keep an eye on their tablet’s battery level, an unnecessary nuisance.
Apple wouldn’t dream of putting out a Mac with only a single port. And neither should they limit iPad’s PRO users in the same way. They may upgrade it to a more expensive Thunderbolt 4 Port. Two USB-C ports would be better. But a USB-C port and MagSafe charging would be noticeably better than the current setup. MagSafe could prevent one’s iPad from falling if one trips on the charging cable. The MagSafe will snap off easily and prevent its pixel-perfect screen from getting cracked.
To go the extra mile, as commented by Mark Gurman, “Apple could potentially place both the Wireless and Wired MagSafe charging in the iPad Pro,” I suggest that you take this leak with a grain of salt.
Horizontal Camera Layout
This might be it guys! I know that most of us use iPads horizontally as it feels better that way. However, a new rumour claims that a future iPad Pro may feature a horizontal camera layout and a landscape Apple logo at the back. It is a push by Apple to promote the usage of the iPad in the landscape instead of portrait.
This can be seen as a step to make the iPad Pro into a full-blown computer, making Face-ID easier and much more applicable to people. So, on a FaceTime call, one will actually be looking at the camera on the horizontal bezel instead of looking away from the screen as seen in the vertical layout of the front-facing camera.
The cameras will also contain the very helpful Center Stage feature. Calls, and attending meetings will feel much more natural with the horizontal layout of the front-facing camera in the upcoming M2 iPad Pros.
Display
Most probably, Apple will choose not to change their stunning Mini-LED Display that supports up to 1600 nits of peak brightness when viewing HDR content. Apple is pushing PRO users to use landscape modes, and make it the design by default. They might be doing this to finally add PRO apps to the iPad and therefore optimize it for iPad OS.
These chips support Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X on the Macs, therefore porting these into the same Arm 64 architecture will not be a problem for Apple. Unfortunately, though, changing the OS systems can hamper the features.
This is why they include wireless charging; so that you can charge it from the back, and use the Thunderbolt ports to connect a dock, which further connects to audio devices and components.
Furthermore, iPad OS would need a major redesign to the architecture and OS System to implement Xcode in the iPad Pro Apps. They are using the terminal to import projects from GitHub, using Pip and Home-brew to install containers and packages. Therefore, there is only 1 way Apple might let the iPad have Xcode as part of their iOS. They will use Xcode Cloud.
They have ‘probably’ been working towards making an iPad a computer since the launch of the Magic Keyboard with the trackpad included.
But honestly, I feel like Apple would not want to merge PRO apps of the Macs with the iPad as they want a stark difference between the 2 machines and OS systems.
Getting back on track, Apple may choose to provide the Mini-LED Display in the smaller 11-inch Model so that you can get the same feeling of deep blacks on a smaller and more compact device.
New Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil?
We might be seeing an updated version of the Magic Keyboard Folio case, updated for the newer generation, M2 iPads. This case will sport a double hinge which will allow it to sit higher or fold flat on to a table like the recent Surface Studios.
Furthermore, the new smart folio case will have a slot for the Apple Pencil holder within the hinge which will wirelessly charge the Apple Pencil. The current, 2nd Generation Apple Pencil does not support wireless charging. So Apple is creating a 3rd generation of the Apple Pencil which will support it; making life for Designers and Students who create notes on an iPad much easier as you will be able to charge Apple Pencil at any time during the day using the iPad’s battery.
The new Apple Pencil will be created much smaller than the recent one so that it can also clip on to the iPad mini that launched just recently.
The M2 Chip
Lastly, we arrive to the famed, and the centre of the powerful Machine — The M2 Chip.
This chipset is an upgrade from the first Apple Silicon chip. Converting from 5nm to 3nm within the next year would be an option that hasn’t yet been created, literally. TSMC leaks show that they are working on a chip that will soon support the 3nm process, but the latest rumours are that they have improved the efficiency of their 5nm chips by 15%; that is a huge jump.
Apple is way ahead of its time, as other major tech and Silicon companies such as Intel are still using the 10-nanometer process to create their newest and highest-end chip, such as the Intel Alder lake 12900K
The M2 Chip will have the same amount of CPU cores, but there will be an increase of the GPU cores from 8 in the M1 to 10 Cores, providing a good amount of power for day-to-day users. Point to be kept in mind: these 8 CPU cores will be 10–15% more potent than those seen in the M1 chipset. That will increase and provide better battery life, efficiency, and performance.
Lastly, an unexpected change(for the better) that the iPad Pro might be built on the ARM Version 9 recently released. ARM V9will also help increase efficiency and battery life.
Release Date and Price
Apple has been keeping a gap between its launch dates for iPad pros, and it generally ranges from 1yr to 1.5yr. So, we can expect to see this M2 iPad Pro In the Q4 of 2022. On the other hand, the M2 MacBook Air will be released before the M2 iPad Pro, as seen this year in 2021.
If the 11-inch Model is getting the Mini-LED Panels, it will be getting a price hike of around $100.
If you would like to see the Cost breakdown of the MacBook Air and Pros, see the article below.
The upcoming M2 iPad Pros will cost:
12.9-inch iPad Pro — $1249
11-inch iPad Pro — $949
Conclusion
To conclude, these new machines will be a beast of a machine, but will Apple let the iOS take advantage of the Power and Performance that will be stored in these chips? Comment in the responses section to let me know your thoughts!
Thanks for Reaching the END!
But, before you move on with your lives, Get a Medium Membership! and request kindly support me(a budding blogger) by following me and clapping on this article!
Peace!
✌🏻
