iPad Pro Waiting on 2022 iPad Pro Thread

[xxray]

If you’re waiting for the 2022 iPad Pro, this is the thread for you. Feel free to discuss why you‘re waiting and what you’re hoping for in the next model.

According to MacRumors’ Buyers Guide, a new iPad Pro is released on average every 500 days. It looks like, based on the 2021 model, the next iPad Pro will likely be released in September or October 2022.

 

[ericwn]

What do you hope for yourself for that product? I can’t come up with anything myself from a hardware perspective - maybe a pro mini.

 

[TheRealAlex]

There will be No 2022 iPad Pro. We are in that leap year like 2019 where there was No refresh. The M2 chip won’t be ready and M2 will debut in 2023 in MacBooks and MacBook Airs. Then as the binning process yields results into the 2023 iPad Pro. 2022 will see an OLED iPad Air.

 

[cupcakes2000]

I would like the iPad to be optimised for horizontal use, particularly the port being on the bottom corner rather than in the middle. I would also appreciate an extra tb port.
Not the iPad in particular, but I would love the MK to become a hub/dock also, with extra ports.
I would absolutely love a larger screen size option also.

 

[Sullivan0930]

software to match the power of m1.


..itll never happen but the ability for the MK to change the OS into MacOS.

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I won’t be upgrading my M1 Pro until 2025 at the earliest, but meaningful improvements would be:
- Front facing camera on the right side, so the camera is centred when device is held in landscape
- Two Thunderbolt ports, one on each side
- Both Face ID and Touch ID, to have the convenience of both

In regards to the chipset, who knows what that will be like. They could give it an M1 Pro, or perhaps a bespoke M1X that has extra GPU cores, but not has many as the M1 Pro or Max, perhaps something based on the A16 chip.

 

[Crow_Servo]

I disagree with TheRealAlex about Apple skipping 2022. The only reason they skipped 2019 is because the 2018 release was in the fall, and as it's been noted, the Pros usually have a gap of over a year, around 18 months (give or take a few months).

So it was perectly normal for them to go from a fall 2018 release to a spring 2020 release. What was unusual was this year's release only being a year after last year's. Most of us understand that the reason they were in a hurry to refresh it again was because the 2020 release had almost the same chip as the 2018.

They likely didn't want to allow the Pro to stay on an A12 into 2022, since that would be a bad look alongside an A14 Air and an A15 Mini.

What we do agree on is that the M1 probably doesn't need an upgrade anytime soon on the iPad, but that hasn't stopped Apple before from refreshing a product. We'll very likely see some sort of performance upgrade in 2022, not that it will be immediately useful for most users (unless iPadOS 16 is a game changer that can make use of the iPad's power more than it does now).

The hardware changes I expect would obviously be MiniLED in the 11" model, of course improved 5G, either a variant of M1 like the new MacBook Pros or an M2 and a few other things that haven't been widely discussed yet via rumors. We've seen the simple rumor that the logo will shift to being upright when the iPad is in landscape orientation, but that could also mean there will be a shift to the front camera placement as well.

Nobody predicted or leaked Center Stage, so we could see some other new feature that has yet to be rumored. I wish I could think of something else. I know some are hoping for 240Hz. Another RAM bump? I doubt that, but who knows. The addition of a notch? J/k. It would be cool if it could do actual phone calls and texting, but that's a pipe dream.

There's the rumors of wireless charging (so a glass back). Something else will happen that I'm not thinking about.

 

[Crow_Servo]

Also, to add a bit more, I am thinking about getting the 2022 Pro. I have the 2020 Air, and although it works perfectly fine, I'd rather have quad speakers, ProMotion and the added RAM and processing power that a Pro model offers. Are these added elements a necessity? Absolutely not, but I use my iPad so constantly that I would prefer to have the top-of-the-line model, and not the trickle-down-edition.

That doesn't mean it's a certainty that I will get the next Pro. If it does little to impress me (considering Center Stage already impresses me, I'm sure something will catch my attention), I'll stick to my Air a bit longer.

If iPadOS 16 looks to be more-of-the-same, there's little need for me to move up to the Pro right this moment (but I'll admit that none of it is a need, since the Air is already more than sufficient). If the 2022 Pros get some exciting exclusive features or OS exclusives, it would be too enticing to pass up.

It might not take much to convince me to upgrade to next year's Pro, though. I've now had 2 Airs and 2 Minis, but never a Pro. I'm fairly eager to make the jump to the Pro in the not-too-distant future, so bring it on, Apple.

 

[Ludatyk]

I disagree with TheRealAlex about Apple skipping 2022. The only reason they skipped 2019 is because the 2018 release was in the fall, and as it's been noted, the Pros usually have a gap of over a year, around 18 months (give or take a few months).

You disagree with @TheRealAlex, but you do understand that Apple have a 18 month gap between releases. If recognizing and knowing that, why disagree? Because of seasons Apple releases product? Apple will release products whenever they deem ready to be released (other than flagship iPhones), that’s always been my view on Apple.

What we do agree on is that the M1 probably doesn't need an upgrade anytime soon on the iPad, but that hasn't stopped Apple before from refreshing a product. We'll very likely see some sort of performance upgrade in 2022, not that it will be immediately useful for most users (unless iPadOS 16 is a game changer that can make use of the iPad's power more than it does now).

True, it hasn’t stopped Apple from refreshing a product… the 2020 iPP is the definition of that, because 2018 iPP was a slight upgrade to 2020 models. Now that Apple has the M1 chip in the iPPs and we have countless videos on how iPadOS in it’s current form can’t take advantage of the M1 chip. Then why would iPadOS 16 be a factor for 2022 iPP.

 

[Crow_Servo]

You disagree with @TheRealAlex, but you do understand that Apple have a 18 month gap between releases. If recognizing and knowing that, why disagree? Because of seasons Apple releases product? Apple will release products whenever they deem ready to be released (other than flagship iPhones), that’s always been my view on Apple.


True, it hasn’t stopped Apple from refreshing a product… the 2020 iPP is the definition of that, because 2018 iPP was a slight upgrade to 2020 models. Now that Apple has the M1 chip in the iPPs and we have countless videos on how iPadOS in it’s current form can’t take advantage of the M1 chip. Then why would iPadOS 16 be a factor for 2022 iPP.

I disagree that Apple will skip 2022 because the 2021 release was in the spring, so the fall of 2022 is the next logical time for another release. So I’d say the 18 month gap puts the next release next year. Pretty simple.

Forum members here thought iPadOS 15 would introduce exclusive Pro features that would cater to the M1 iPad, so some might hope for the same thing next year with iPadOS 16. One could argue that the M1 iPad Pros would handle any new OS features alongside a proposed M2 iPad Pro. Eventually, I suppose the entire lineup of iPads will be capable of being computers, so who knows how iPadOS will change.

I wouldn’t say the M1 iPad Pro has any shortcomings, but I got my Air last year, so it felt way too soon to upgrade to the Pro. That’s really why I’m waiting for the next Pro. Not because I think next year’s Pro is more worthy or something. But I guess since it’s the next Pro it’ll automatically be even better.

 

[sparksd]

Not me. I was waiting on significant iPadOS improvements but gave up and now I'm Waiting for Godot - better odds on an appearance.

 

[TheRealAlex]

Not me. I was waiting on significant iPadOS improvements but gave up and now I'm Waiting for Godot - better odds on an appearance.

Respect for working in a reference with Waiting for Godot.

I gave Up and went MacBook Pro 14” M1 Max because it has everything and can use all that Performance.

My 2018 iPad Pro side by side to a 2021 M1 iPad Pro you can not tell any Performance difference.

So it’s really a waste of an upgrade.

 

[MBX]

They can't really add much more to the hardware if the software doesn't follow.

M1 is already very powerful and iPadOS can't really take advantage of it as there's not enough pro apps. Unless Apple brings pro apps and triple-A games and not just the "kids games" of Arcade. Otherwise a M2 is just over the top, more so than already with the M1 + 16GB Ram.

A 15''-16'' iPad Pro "Max" screen option would justify an upgrade in 2022 however.

 

[TheRealAlex]

#1. 3nm M2 CPU
#2. LPDDR 8GB RAM
#3. WiFi 6e
#4. Touch ID
#5. 20,000 MiniLED display

Ill wait.

 

[nicetriangles]

I'm gonna hold onto the 2021 I got for a while as the processor, memory, and storage tier I went for have a lot of headroom for future proofing. For me the main thing I'd like to see is faceid moved to what would be the top center when used in landscape mode. Some updated functionality for the Apple Pencil would also be cool. A lot of the rest of my gripes are software related.

That being said, one thing that would be a day 1 upgrade purchase for me regardless of when it happens is a larger size as I use mine for illustration. I'm not getting my hopes up for that at all but a 16in iPad Pro would be phenomenal for what I do.

 

[nStyle]

Hardware specs are becoming meaningless numbers all across the spectrum whether we're talking about phones, laptops, or tablets.

Apple is betting dearly that people will have enough FOMO to continue to want the "fastest" and "best" even if the consumer knows damn well they'll never use it or really care.

The keynotes lately have been damn near depressing. Zero soul and meaningless spec bumps.

 

[rui no onna]

Hardware specs are becoming meaningless numbers all across the spectrum whether we're talking about phones, laptops, or tablets.

Alas, true (at least for my usage). Across Apple's product lines, I think what I'm looking forward to most is an Apple Watch with built-in non-invasive glucose monitoring. Now that would be a day one upgrade for the entire family.

 

[Rafterman]

I won’t be upgrading my M1 Pro until 2025 at the earliest, but meaningful improvements would be:
- Front facing camera on the right side, so the camera is centred when device is held in landscape
- Two Thunderbolt ports, one on each side
- Both Face ID and Touch ID, to have the convenience of both

In regards to the chipset, who knows what that will be like. They could give it an M1 Pro, or perhaps a bespoke M1X that has extra GPU cores, but not has many as the M1 Pro or Max, perhaps something based on the A16 chip.

Two ports? You'll be lucky if Apple gives us even one port by 2025.

 

[nicetriangles]

The keynotes lately have been damn near depressing. Zero soul and meaningless spec bumps.

The company in the last year debuted literally some of the most game changing hardware we've seen in computing in a while and you're calling this stuff meaningless spec bumps. Absolutely ridiculous.

Sure if you just use your devices for watching tiktok videos this stuff doesn't matter (and in that case what are you expecting them to offer you, exactly?), but what they're doing right now is transformative for industries like mine.

 

[Chaparral02]

The only hardware part am waiting for is a Mini Led for HDR and far better black levels on the 11"

For the software side of things i love to be able to play AAA games on my M1 ipad

 

[ericwn]

Two ports? You'll be lucky if Apple gives us even one port by 2025.

Based on the trajectory of the new MacBook Pro models that might change soon.

 

[nStyle]

The company in the last year debuted literally some of the most game changing hardware we've seen in computing in a while and you're calling this stuff meaningless spec bumps. Absolutely ridiculous.

Game changing? Slightly faster processors and slightly brighter screens? Enlighten me.

Yes the Apple silicon chips are great but still not really game changing. They're not going to make or break someone's business. iPad has had Apple-exclusive silicon since day one. M1 is only an iterative improvement and the iPad can't even take advantage of it.

 

[Sullivan0930]

with how apple treats iPadOS the M1 will be solid for 8+ years.

 

[nicetriangles]

Game changing? Slightly faster and slightly brighter screens? Enlighten me.

It's like you somehow missed that Apple Silicon is a thing and likewise have no idea what it means for their computers.

Also you didn't answer my question. What are you expecting from Apple that they're not giving you?

 

[Falhófnir]

I was waiting for the mLED model, so I could have bought the current 12.9" quite happily... I wanted to hang on for the MBPs though as I don't want to splurge on both in one year. I thought I was only going to be waiting to WWDC before I had to decide between them ? Guess I'm in for the wait now as well, though it sounds like the M2 might only appear at the end of next year with the MBA so it might be quite a long one ? All the better to save up though, I guess?