New iPad Air to Use USB-C, iPad Mini to Continue Using Lightning Connection, Says Kuo

A 4th-generation iPad Air with USB-C connection is expected to release in the second half of 2020. Additionally, a new iPad Mini is expected in 2021 but will retain the Lightning connector.

Chinese suppliers have caught wind of the new iPad models. According to a report from Mac Otakara, Apple is planning to release its fourth-generation iPad Air with a 10.8-inch screen. On top of that, the new iPad Air will be the second iPad to ditch the Lightning connection in favour of USB-C. This will be the second model since 2018’s iPad Pro.

The 4th-generation iPad Air is expected to be based on the 11-inch iPad Pro. Development points to a downgraded rear camera array to maintain lower costs. This could mean the iPad Air will be lighter in some capacity as well.

Citing sources familiar with the new iPads also spoke of a new iPad Mini. It appears as though the new iPad Mini will continue to use Apple’s Lightning connection.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo weighed in on the subject matter. He expects the next-generation iPad mini to have a small increase in screen size from 8.5-inches to 9-inches. Kuo claims that the 4th-generation iPad Air will debut in the second half of 2020, while the new iPad Mini will launch sometime in the first half of 2021.