New Case Supports Rumors of Imminent 9.7-Inch iPad Pro With Smart Connector

New Case Supports Rumors of Imminent 9.7-Inch iPad Pro With Smart Connector

Less than two weeks before Apple's rumored March 21 media event, where the company is expected to announce a new 9.7-inch iPad, more aftermarket cases for the iPad Air 2 successor have appeared on Chinese commerce website Alibaba.

The case below, like others before it, has openings for a Smart Connector, four speakers, and a LED camera flash, lending credence to rumors claiming the tablet once tentatively referred to as "iPad Air 3" will instead be a miniaturized iPad Pro.

<img src="

" alt="9.7-inch-iPad-Pro-case" width="630" height="493" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-492729" /><center>Aftermarket case for new 9.7-inch iPad (Image: iGeneration)</center>

A dummy insert provides a closer look at how the ports could be aligned on the new iPad, including a power button, 3.5mm headphone jack, and two speakers on the top; Lightning connector and two speakers on the bottom; volume buttons and a microphone on the right side; and a Smart Connector on the left side.

Multiple reports have claimed the new 9.7-inch iPad will have a faster A9X processor, Smart Connector, four speakers, and a LED flash, while a sketchier rumor from DigiTimes said the tablet could have a 4K display and up to 4GB of RAM. The tablet is expected to have both Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support.

<img src="

" alt="9.7-inch-iPad-Pro-case-2" width="631" height="372" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-492728" />

Apple is expected to issue press invites soon for its March 21 event, where a new 4-inch "iPhone SE" and minor Apple Watch updates are also anticipated. There is also a slim possibility that refreshed Macs could be announced at the event, as the time is right for updates, but there have been no rumors confirming that is the case.

<div class="linkback">Related Roundup: iPad Air 3
Tag: Smart Connector
Buyer's Guide: iPad Air (Don't Buy) </div>
Discuss this article in our forums

<div class="feedflare">
<img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img>[/url] <img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=6W8y8wAjSf4" border="0"></img>[/url] <img src="[url]http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MacRumors-Front?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"></img>[/url]
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MacRumors-Front/~4/oSg2f3AtAcU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>

Source: New Case Supports Rumors of Imminent 9.7-Inch iPad Pro With Smart Connector