2021 12.9-Inch iPad Pro Thicker Than Last Year’s Model Due to Mini-LED Display: REPORT

It’s looking increasingly likely that Apple will launch new models of iPad at today’s Spring Loaded event, including the fifth-generation iPad Pro.

According to a new report from MacRumors, the new version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be thicker than last year’s model. This represents a surprising reversal of the usual tech dogma that products must continually get thinner, but the difference is very small: just 0.5mm. It’s debatable whether users will be able to notice the extra girth.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro will be 280.65mm long (11.04 inches), 125mm wide (8.46 inches) and 6.4mm thick (0.25 inches). The 11-inch model, on the other hand, will be 247.6mm (9.74 inches) by 178.5mm (7.02 inches) by 5.9mm (0.23 inches), explains the report.

The reason for the additional thickness is an upgrade to the internals: the new backlit mini-LED display in the 12.9-inch model requires more space.

In addition to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro increasing in overall thickness, it may also grow its camera bump. That’s in contrast to the new 11-inch iPad Pro, which is expected to stay the same size and potentially shrink its camera bump.

Apple’s Spring Loaded event starts at 10am PST and can be watched over on their website.