Ignoring all of the complaints when it comes to limitations with iPadOS 16, the iPad Pro is arguably the most powerful tablet on the market. In many instances, it even outperforms Windows laptops, along with MacBook models. This can be attributed to Apple’s decision to use the same M1 chip that helped revolutionize the Mac lineup back in 2020.
As you probably expect at this point, Apple is hard at work developing the 2022 iPad Pro. Following the 2021 iPad Pro models and its transition into the M1 ecosystem, it might not seem like there’s much else that Apple can really do. However, that sentiment could not be further from the truth.
Design and Performance
By in large, Apple is likely to retain the same design for the 2022 iPad Pro. This means slim bezels, a camera bump on the back, and an excellent display to enjoy your favorite content. But there could be some rather huge changes on the horizon for the 2022 iPad Pro.
Rumors began in 2021 suggesting that Apple was working on a 15-inch iPad Pro. Other reports claim Apple has been internally testing larger iPad Pro models with screen sizes ranging between 14-inches and 16-inches. For years, the largest iPad Pro that you could get has been the 12.9-inch model, but that could all change in the near future.
In June 2022, DSSC analyst Ross Young stated that Apple is actively developing a 14.1-inch iPad Pro that uses a MiniLED display and includes Apple’s ProMotion technology. This combination comes as little surprise given that it’s the same two features found in the 12.9-inch 2021 iPad Pro.
Some less conclusive rumors suggest that Apple could be looking at ways to implement MagSafe into the iPad Pro lineup. However, in order to accomplish such a feat, would mean that the days of Aluminum housing would be numbered. Instead, Apple would need to switch to using a glass panel if it wanted to add inductive charging to the iPad Pro. It’s likely that this glass back would look similar to what’s available on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max.
While the smaller 11-inch iPad Pro also saw an upgrade to the M1 processor, it missed out on the upgraded Mini LED display. Provided that the 11-inch iPad Pro remains in the lineup, it wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if Apple brought its better display to the smaller model.
As for performance, we expect that Apple will use its M2 chip in the 2022 iPad Pro lineup. Given the limitations of iPadOS, it would make practically no sense for Apple to use the more powerful M1 Pro, M1 Max, or M1 Ultra chips in the iPad. The M1 chip is still quite impressive, and the M2 gets even better. This chip first debuted at WWDC ’22 with an updated MacBook Air model, and a new iPad Pro would be the perfect time to bring it to the iPad lineup.
Features
By adding MagSafe to the iPad Pro, would mean that we would finally have an iPad model that could take advantage of wireless charging. MagSafe charging speeds max out around 15W, but it’s also possible that the technology could be tweaked to allow for faster charging on a device with a much larger battery.
Aside from the potential addition of MagSafe and/or a larger model, it’s unlikely that we’ll see any exclusive features arrive. Perhaps Apple would release an updated version of the Magic Keyboard, which would be a necessity if a larger iPad Pro is made available.
Hopes for any major changes to the display, besides a size increase, likely won’t arrive until 2023 or later. This could include a shift to under-display Face ID, which would first be available on the iPad before coming to the iPhone. Unfortunately, it seems we’ll have to wait a little bit longer for that. The same is true for under-display Touch ID, which Apple is said to be working on, but there’s no timeline for when, or if, this will actually come to fruition.
Pricing
For those wondering about the price and availability of the 2022 iPad Pro models, there’s a little bit of uncertainty. Apple raised the price of the 12.9-inch 2021 model to account for the addition of the miniLED display. The same price increase could come to the 11-inch iPad Pro if Apple implements the same display.
Where the uncertainty lies is whether the addition of the M2 chip in the iPad Pro would constitute another price increase. Normally, it wouldn’t make much sense, but given that the 2022 MacBook Air with its M2 chip is priced higher than the older 2020 M1 MacBook Air, it’s definitely a bit of cause for concern.
Currently, this is how the iPad Pro lineup shakes out in terms of pricing:
11-inch iPad Pro (2021) Wi-Fi Only
128GB: $799
256GB: $899
512GB: $1,099
1TB: $1,499
2TB: $1,899
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) Wi-Fi Only
128GB: $1,099
256GB: $1,199
512GB: $1,399
1TB: $1,799
2TB: $2,199
If Apple introduces a third, larger, 2022 iPad Pro model into the mix, there’s really no telling what pricing for that would look like. We expect the 2022 12.9-inch model to match up with its predecessor. Meanwhile, the 11-inch model with an updated display is likely to see a bit of a price increase.
Availability
Apple’s next event is currently slated for September 7, where the company is expected to debut the iPhone 14 lineup along with the Apple Watch Series 8 and a potential Apple Watch Pro. Given that Apple also pushed back the final release of iPadOS 16 to a “later date”, this could coincide with an October hardware event.
There are still a few expected updates to the Mac lineup, including bringing the M2 chip to the iMac and Mac Mini. We are also still awaiting the arrival of an Apple Silicon-powered Mac Pro, which was teased, but we have yet to see announced.
It’s likely that Apple would announce its new 2022 iPad Pro models at the same event, along with the final release of iPadOS 16.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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