Photos of Claimed 'iPad 3' Dock Connector in White Surface

Taiwanese site Apple.pro has posted [Google translation] photos of what is claimed to be the dock connector and ribbon cable for the next-generation iPad.

ipad 3 dock connector 1
While the part is a proprietary but relatively standard one that provides no specific insight into the device's specs, one interesting observation is that the actual connector portion is white rather than the black color seen on the iPad 2. The dock connector on the iPad 2 is embedded in the curved aluminum shell of the iPad 2 and not the black or white bezel, and is in fact black on all models.

Consequently, it is possible that this white dock connector portends a modified case design in which the dock connector itself would be preferred to be white, as is found on white iPhone 4 models. The dock connector on the original iPad was white, however, despite the fact that the device came only in black and the connector was similarly embedded in the aluminum shell.

ipad 3 dock connector 2
There are of course no guarantees that the part depicted in the photos is indeed a genuine dock connector for the iPad 3 as claimed, but the part carries a very similar form factor to the existing part and a part number updated from 821-1180-A in the iPad 2 to a newer 821-1259-06. The tail end of the ribbon cable also makes a 90-degree turn in the new part, whereas the iPad 2's dock connector ribbon cable is entirely straight.

Apple has been rumored to be introducing some sort of updated iPad in the fall timeframe, with most sources suggesting that it should be considered a "pro" or "plus" version of the existing iPad 2 carrying a higher-resolution display rather than a full-fledged iPad 3. But it is unclear from these posted photos whether the part is indeed claimed to be from the rumored "iPad 2 Pro" or an iPad 3 that would presumably make its debut in 2012.

Apple.pro has in the past posted photos of genuine Apple parts, most notably last year in the case of a small touchscreen that made its way into the redesigned iPod nano a few months later.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

What to Expect From the 'Apple Launch' Next Week

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:48 am PST by
Apple has yet to announce any new devices this year, but that could change starting next week. Apple CEO Tim Cook today said to "get ready" for a "launch" on Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," said Cook, in a social media post. The post includes an #AppleLaunch hashtag, along with a short video featuring an animated Apple logo inside of a circle....
apple launch feb 2025

Tim Cook Teases an 'Apple Launch' Next Wednesday

Thursday February 13, 2025 8:07 am PST by
In a social media post today, Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an upcoming "launch" of some kind scheduled for Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," he said, with an #AppleLaunch hashtag. The post includes a short video with an animated Apple logo inside a circle. Cook did not provide an exact time for the launch, or share any other specific details, so...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

'New' iPhone SE Product Listing Appears on French Website

Wednesday February 12, 2025 6:49 am PST by
As the wait continues for Apple's long-rumored, fourth-generation iPhone SE, French electronics retailer Boulanger has prematurely published a product listing for a "new" model of the iPhone SE. The placeholder page says the device is "coming soon," but it offers no further information, and the price shown is obviously not real. The listing was spotted by a reader of the French technology...
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro With All-New Camera Bar Design Allegedly Revealed

Thursday February 13, 2025 5:49 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro will feature three rear cameras arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but the cameras will be housed in an all-new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners, according to YouTube channel Front Page Tech. iPhone 17 Pro camera design render created by Asher for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser said the camera ...
M4 Mac mini Apple Video

Apple's Refurbished Mac Mini Pricing Has a Problem

Thursday February 13, 2025 6:20 am PST by
Apple this week began selling refurbished Mac mini models with the M4 chip for the first time, but this has led to a pricing conundrum. In the United States, Apple is offering a refurbished Mac mini with the base M4 chip, 256GB of storage, 16GB of RAM, and Gigabit Ethernet for $509, down from $599 new. This is the standard 15% discount that Apple offers on refurbished Macs. The issue is...
iPhone 16 Apple Store

iPhone 17 in New Sizes This Year: What to Know

Thursday February 13, 2025 2:45 am PST by
Last year, Apple tweaked iPhone 16 Pro screen sizes to make them bigger than 2023's iPhone 15 Pro models, and this year we are also expecting a change in the size of the displays in the iPhone 17 lineup. Here's what we know. Standard iPhone 17 Apple could introduce a new display size for the standard iPhone 17 model in 2025. The iPhone 17 could measure in at 6.3 inches, up from 6.1 inches,...
iphone air concept weis

iPhone 17 Air Could Look Like This in Real Life

Friday February 14, 2025 3:41 am PST by
There have been several alleged leaked details of the iPhone 17 Air, Apple's rumored new slim iPhone, but images have been limited to grainy shots taken in component factories. However, this hyper-realistic concept created by WEIS Studio gives us the best idea yet of what Apple's thin device might actually look like. The concept design is inspired by recent leaks indicating that the device...
Apple Ad on X

Apple Resumes Advertising on X

Wednesday February 12, 2025 2:18 pm PST by
Apple this month started advertising on X for the first time in more than a year. The company had stopped advertising on the social media platform in November 2023 following controversial remarks made by its owner Elon Musk. For example, the @Apple account is running an ad promoting Safari's privacy features. The ad was spotted by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The @AppleTV account has a...

Top Rated Comments

Caharin Avatar
177 months ago
Wow. A dock part.

I agree with this comment and have nothing substantial to add to it.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cowbellallen Avatar
177 months ago
Happy Birthday, Liv!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Blindroad Avatar
177 months ago
Wow. A dock part.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WildCowboy Avatar
177 months ago
it will probably turn out to be an iphone 5 connector or some other device that's not ipad3 lol

The ribbon cable is far too long in the horizontal direction for an iPhone.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reel2reel Avatar
177 months ago
Happy Birthday, Liv.

You're not getting older, you're getting better!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
theSeb Avatar
177 months ago
Ahh. This is the new iPad PRO with the new PRO ribbon device to connect to dot-matrix printers.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)