Allegedly Leaked 2021 iPad Pro CAD Images Suggest Few Design Changes

Tech blogs 91mobile and MySmartPrice on Tuesday posted a series of allegedly leaked factory CAD images of Apple's upcoming fifth-generation 11-inch iPad Pro.

ipad pro 2021 mysmartprice cad
Rumors suggest Apple plans to announce two new ‌iPad Pro‌ models in both 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions, and today's images offer perhaps the clearest indication yet that Apple's next-generation iPad Pros will have minimal, if any, external design changes.

According to MySmartPrice, the the fifth-generation 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ will be the same thickness, but Apple will "shave off some millimeters from the length and breadth." The device may also exhibit changes to the internal speaker system, by potentially reducing the number of speakers grilles and relocating them.

Previous rumors about the next-generation ‌iPad Pro‌ models indicate no changes to the display size or housing, but A-series chip performance is expected to be "significantly improved."

According to one rumor, the rear cameras are said to protrude less in the new ‌iPad Pro‌ models. Specifically, the camera bump will remain, but the protrusion of the individual camera lenses will not be required.

ipad pro 2021 cad mysmartprice
There is also the suggestion that Apple will release standard ‌iPad Pro‌ 11-inch and 12.9-inch updates, while also making a separate high-end mini-LED 12.9-inch model, which could be about 0.5mm thicker to accommodate the higher spec display.

DigiTimes believes Apple is working on a 5G iPad with mmWave support, which would be positioned as a high-end ‌iPad Pro‌, and 5G support could be released alongside the new mini-LED display.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that a mini-LED ‌iPad Pro‌ launch is expected in the first half of this year, while DigiTimes also believes a mini-LED ‌iPad Pro‌ will launch in early 2021, as does Korea's ETNews.

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

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Top Rated Comments

Marbles1 Avatar
58 months ago
The camera bump is so annoying when you're using the iPad flat on the desk.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danbalsh Avatar
58 months ago
Would be amazing if they change the 'default' orientation to landscape and moved the front facing camera.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NotTooLate Avatar
58 months ago

Wish Apple address the durability of the iPad with this design, big reason for me not to buy it. Carrying such expensive device that can broke/bend easily even with a care.
having the IPP 12.9 used by the entire family including a 3yo & 6yo kids (we have it around 2 years now) , aside from some scratches on the exterior housing due to falling off the couch or kids wielding it like paper to realize its not and ram it into a wall :( , everything is great , still great battery , still great performance , no bending here FYI.

Could you bend it if you try ? I guess so , but if the reason you are not getting one is durability then you've been reading too much forum posts (ppl usually post on their problems) , this is a non issue in the real world for MOST folks , get one , you won't regret it !!
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnomeisland Avatar
58 months ago
I hope they’d don’t shave off just enough to make it no longer compatible with the current magic keyboard!
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rikscha Avatar
58 months ago
Wow incredible design. This changes everything
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bazooka-joe Avatar
58 months ago
I will hold off from updating my 2018 11 inch pro until there are some significant updates
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)