Oliver Haslam on June 3, 2020, 9:33 pm

iPad Air 4 To Use USB-C Port While iPad mini 6 To Continue With Lightning Port [Report]

The next iPad Air might be moving to USB-C and away from Lightning for the first time, according to a new report.

Supply chain outlet Macotakara reports that the fourth generation iPad Air will use USB-C for connectivity and charging just like the iPad Pro lineup. The tablet will also reportedly feature a larger screen according to the report, moving to a design similar to the 11-inch iPad Pro.

iPad Air (3rd generation) was developed based on iPad Pro (10.5-inch), iPad Air (4th generation) may be developed based on iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) by downgrading the rear camera features.

The same outlet also reports that the next iPad mini will grow to as much as nine inches in terms of screen size. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also believes that a larger 10.8-inch iPad is in the works as well.

TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects the iPad 10.8-inch to appear in the second half of 2020, with a new iPad mini with a screen size of 8.5 inches to 9 inches to appear in the first half of 2021.

The current round of iPad rumors is less than clear to say the least with supply chain analysts offering conflicting claims on what will be part of the next round of tablets. A lot will likely depend on whether Apple ditches the Home button or not – larger screens will also mean larger chassis otherwise. And that isn’t something Apple is normally happy to do.

Apple will hold its 2020 WWDC event online later this month and it’s possible we’ll learn more then. Beta versions of iOS and iPadOS will be released during the event and it isn’t unheard of for details about unreleased products to appear in those updates.