The September Apple event came and went without any mention of the iPad Pro models that had been the stars of so many rumors. But there’s still hope! Buried deep in the just-released iOS 12.1 beta 1 is a clear reference to an iPad on the docket for this fall.
So be patient. The redesigned tablets we’ve heard so much about could be coming soon.
Apple released the first beta of iOS 12.1 today. Guilherme Rambo from 9to5Mac went digging around in the code and turned up a mention of “iPad2018Fall.” Sometimes references to upcoming devices hidden in iOS betas are obscure, but not this time. Code snippets don’t get much clearer than that.
Of course, this doesn’t mean Apple is definitely releasing the iPad Pro models that were the subject of so many leaks. But it’s now hard to dispute that the company is going to introduce an iPad in the fall of 2018.
More about the 2018 iPad Pro
According to numerous unconfirmed reports, the next-generation iPad Pro tablets will follow the design cues of the 2018 iPhones: no Home button, slim bezels and Face ID. And there’s a slight possibility the iPad Pro line will finally get a USB-C port.
But not everything is changing. Multiple unconfirmed reports indicate these models will keep the same 12.9- and 10.5-inch screen sizes, but shrinking the bezels will allow them to be smaller overall.
Don’t miss our 2018 iPad Pro rumor roundup to get all the details.
It’s possible these iOS tablets will be unveiled at an Apple press event next month. A redesigned and improved 2018 MacBook Air and Mac mini Pro could be revealed at the same time.
