While time is starting to run out for an iPad Pro 2022 refresh, Apple hasn’t missed the annual update since 2019 and current rumors still have them slated to arrive this year.
An upgrade to an M2 processor is a virtual lock, but there are a number of other rumored changes that iPad fans may have to look forward to for this year including the potential addition of wireless charging and larger batteries.
Here’s everything we know about the iPad Pro 2022 so far, including the expected release date, specs, design, displays, and more.
iPad Pro 2022 release date
While we were expecting a product launch event for the iPad Pro 2022 this year, it appears an Apple October event is unlikely. That said, Apple will be taking part in an October event after all, and executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak are tipped to discuss all things iPadOS 16.1. Apple tracker Mark Gurman states the new software upgrade is expected to be available on Oct. 24 — just in time for the event on Oct. 25.
More interestingly, Gurman claims the iPad Pro 2022 is “just days away,” meaning we could see the next-gen iPad Pro with M2 arrive this week. With no October event in sight, Apple’s Pro tablet is expected to be announced via press release — much like other products such as the AirPods Max.
Last year, Apple’s October announcement was held on October 18, 2021, so if it followed the same pattern this year’s model would be on October 17, 2022, or a few days after that.
iPad Pro 2022 pricing
It is expected that Apple will maintain its pricing on the iPad Pro for 2022 after the $100 price increase for the iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch). The projected upgrades to the iPad Pro 2022 don’t involve any major shifts to the hardware that would warrant a price bump and despite rumors to the contrary, Apple maintained the pricing on the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, making a general increase due to the supply chain conditions unlikely.
Assuming this is the case the 11-inch iPad Pro 2022 would start at $799 for the 128GB model and top out at $1,899 for the 2TB model, while the corresponding 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2022 models would be $1,099 and $2,199, respectively.
iPad Pro 2022 design
While the basic design of the iPad Pro 2022 should look similar to last year’s models, there are a a couple of rumored design tweaks that could have a significant impact on usage.
The first is a potential move to a glass to add wireless charging to the iPad Pro. This was first reported on by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg back in 2021, although later challenged by reporting from 9to5Mac. The assumption is that this was a form of MagSafe charging, which has been permeating Apple’s lineup again with first the iPhone 12 and more recently a return in MacBooks.
Last month a leak from Mac Otakara, a fairly reliable source for supply chain rumors, indicated that the iPad Pro 2022 models will feature virtually unchanged chassis, but will move from 3-pin to 4-pin connectors. The current MagSafe 3 chargers on the MacBooks use a 5-pin design, so it’s unlikely this could be a MagSafe charging port, but it could offer improved power delivery to and from peripherals like the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
iPad Pro 2022 displays
The underlying display tech in the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2022 models should remain the same as last year. Early rumors suggested the 11-inch model would get a similar mini-LED panel as the 12.9-inch, but more recently analysts Ming-Chi Kuo and Ross Young both indicated that the lineup would remain split between LCD and mini-LED this year. The expectation is that both could then move to OLED panels in 2023.
Early rumors also had the iPad Pro 2022 models adopting a notch in the display similar to the iPhone and more recently the MacBook Pro and now MacBook Air 2022, but there have been no new leaks to this effect recently. Particularly following the release of the iPhone 14 Pro with its new “Dynamic Island” it’s unclear what the future of the notch is on Apple’s more mobile devices.
iPad Pro 2022 specs
The M2 chip is the only spec update that appears set in stone for the iPad Pro 2022 models. Based on the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro 13-inch 2022 we can expect a pretty significant performance bump and perhaps even slightly enhanced battery life to go with it.
The latter may get an assist from larger batteries in the new models, which has been tipped by 9to5Mac and others. This wouldn’t be a shocking move as the 12.9-inch model took a bit of a hit on battery life compared to its predecessors, perhaps due to its mini-LED display.
Outlook
The most significant challenge for the iPad Pro 2022 models is the iPad Air 5, which became a much more formidable foe for Apple’s top tablets last year. The lack of a ProMotion 120Hz display is the biggest drawback compared to the Pro models following that update, so depending on your usage its $599 entry point versus $799 for the smaller iPad Pro may be too enticing to pass up.
For those using the iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, the M2 upgrade may be enough to sway them. While most users don’t need that level of power in their tablet, the iPad Pro isn’t about most users.
With only about a month to go before the anticipated launch of the iPad Pro 2022 models we could see additional leaks in the coming weeks, so stay tuned and we’ll keep you up to date on all of the latest going into the launch.
