New Case Supports Rumors of Imminent 9.7-Inch iPad Pro With Smart ConnectorLess 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:
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Smart Connector Buyer's Guide:
iPad Air (Don't Buy) </div>
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Source:
New Case Supports Rumors of Imminent 9.7-Inch iPad Pro With Smart Connector
