Apple to Replace Lighting Port With USB-C in Upcoming iPad Pro Refresh: REPORT

All signs point to Apple launching new iPad Pro models on October 30, and new rumours claim they’ll be the first feature USB-C port instead of a proprietary Lightning port.

We’re talking a possible replacement of the Lightning port introduced back in September 2012 with a more flexible, faster USB-C connector. This is something Microsoft has also been resisting on the Surface Pro lineup, which uses its own special Surface Connect port.

Recently, famed Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF Securities suggested that the shift to USB-C would be the case. Now Japanese blog Macotakara, citing multiple accessory makers at the Global Sources Mobile Electronics Trade Fair in Hong Kong, has reported that they were told by numerous accessory makers that the iPad Pro 2018 would have a USB-C port rather than a Lightning port.

All that said, I would suggest the reader take these claims with a huge dose of salt, because it seems so at odds with Apple’s usual approach to hardware, and because Apple is so invested in Lightning and the accessories that work with it.

The same sources speaking to Macotakara also disclosed potential dimensions for the upcoming iPads. Apparently the iPad Pro 10.5 (2018) will be 247.64 x 178.52mm and the iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) will be 280.66 x 215mm.

Mac Otakara doesn’t have much other info to offer, but earlier rumours have suggested that the new iPad Pros will boast slimmer bezels than last-gen models, Apple’s A11X Bionic CPU and a TrueDepth camera system that will enable Face ID for biometric authentication. We’ll learn more on October 30th.