Apple's Smaller Dock Connector Reportedly Coming to Entire iOS Device Lineup Including iPad This Fall

iMore, which was the first source to report that Apple will be moving to a smaller dock connector with the launch of the next-generation iPhone, now claims that Apple will be moving its entire lineup of iOS devices to the new connector later this year. This includes the current 9.7-inch iPad, which was just updated in March.

iMore has learned that Apple intends to update their entire lineup of iOS device products to support the new, miniaturized Dock connector, and to do it as early the rumored September 12 special event this fall. This would include the new iPhone 5, the the new iPod nano and iPod touch, the rumored 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the current 9.7-inch iPad.

iMore notes that the source of the new information is the same person who originally shared word of Apple's move to the new dock connector, and with numerous other mainstream news reports and parts leaks supporting the original claim, the source does appear to have accurate information.

Apparently, Apple believes consistent Dock connectors across the line, and other improvements they're able to make to the new iPad this point, are more important than sticking to yearly release schedules.

newdock
Case openings for dock connectors on iPhone 4S (left) and claimed next-generation iPhone (right)

iLounge last week hinted at some changes for the fourth-generation iPad with the suggestion that the device could launch with the smaller dock connector later this year, but iLounge expressed skepticism about that possibility given the relatively short time since the last update to the device.

Tag: iMore

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Shows Off a Key Reason to Upgrade to the iPhone 17

Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie. "Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says These 7 U.S. States Plan to Offer iPhone Driver's Licenses

Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

New MacBook Pros Could Now Arrive in March

Sunday February 8, 2026 6:02 am PST by
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Apple Expected to Launch These 10+ Products Over the Coming Months

Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more. Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...

Top Rated Comments

WildCowboy Avatar
176 months ago
Wow. Stating the bleeding obvious.....

It was obvious they'd be updating the iPad just six months after the last update?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deannnnn Avatar
176 months ago
Hope it's MagSafe!
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tibi08 Avatar
176 months ago
Wow. Stating the bleeding obvious.....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
basesloaded190 Avatar
176 months ago
I still don't believe they will have another update for the iPad this year.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
makingdots Avatar
176 months ago
That's not what I am says. I'm saying it's weak that Apple didn't implement this in March. Else, they should have waited until March.

The newer dock was just recently finalize. If it was implemented on 3rd-gen iPad, you will rant probably why they didn't implement it on iPhone 4S? it's just out you know, bla bla
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
176 months ago
I still don't believe they will have another update for the iPad this year.

but now they have a reason to update it. I think this makes a lot of sense (especially with apple removing the naming convention entirely). Apple can simply say "now we have updated our iPad to use this new dock connector.... and we have also managed to get improved battery life!"

It's a perfect excuse for a mini-update. From now on we will refer to the products as iPad (early 2012), iPad (late 2012), the same as we do for the Mac lineup. Makes sense. ALSO, I predict the iPad mini will simple be called "iPad" but will be a difference size variant. Same as how the Macbook Air comes in 11" and 13", but you don't call one the "Macbook Air Mini" or any other such nonsense.

And now this gives Apple the liberty to update products according to their own timeline... not some abitrary "1 year" timeline. It's all coming together now... There is a method to their maddness.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)