New 11-Inch iPad Case Found at Target as Rumors Swirl About Upcoming Refresh

With rumors swirling about an upcoming iPad Pro refresh, which may be announced as part of an alleged Apple Event on Tuesday, March 23, it appears that at least one accessory maker has already started preparing.

speck 2021 ipad pro image
A photo shared on Reddit today shows what appears to be a Speck folio that is listed as being compatible with an as-yet-unannounced 2021 model of an 11-inch iPad, in addition to the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 10.9-inch iPad Air. The user who submitted the photo said they found the folio on the shelf at Target, but when they attempted to purchase it, the checkout system said the item cannot be sold until April 6.

The packaging does not explicitly mention that the new 11-inch iPad is a Pro model, but that is almost certainly the device this would be referring to, as no other upcoming iPad is rumored to sport an 11-inch display. The ninth-generation iPad, for example, is rumored to feature a 10.5-inch display like the third-generation iPad Air.

While it is hard to draw any firm conclusions from photos like these, it is possible that Speck has learned that the next 11-inch iPad Pro will have very similar to identical dimensions as the current model. This wouldn't be too surprising, as there haven't been any rumors of a major redesign for the next iPad Pro, with key new features expected to include a Mini-LED display, faster A14X chip, and 5G support on cellular models.

We wouldn't read too much into Target's alleged April 6 on-sale date for the Speck folio either, but it's at least within the ballpark of the late March to early April timeframe for the next iPad Pro update that was reported by DigiTimes earlier today.

Interestingly, most rumors have only mentioned a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro and not an 11-inch model, but the devices are usually updated simultaneously. March is a common month for Apple to announce new or updated products, with other rumored products including the long-awaited AirTags, a new Apple TV, new AirPods, and more Apple silicon Macs.

Apple last updated its iPad Pro lineup in March 2020 with a marginally improved A12Z chip, an Ultra Wide camera, a LiDAR Scanner, and better sounding microphones.

(Thanks, Greg!)

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

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Top Rated Comments

Veeper Avatar
56 months ago
iPad. Not pro. Even the pic says iPad. :)
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ElBerserko Avatar
56 months ago

Wait, it just says new iPad 11" 2021. It didn't indicate Pro.

So my guess is Apple will streamline the design, making the base iPad the same design as the iPad Air 4. It fits the whole lineup with the iPhone 12 as well.
This has to be for the Pro. Why would the "entry level" iPad be 11 inches when the Air is 10.9? What a confusing lineup that would be... They all have the same body, but the Air is 10.9 inches with an A14 and the "NEW iPad" is 11 inches and has an A14X? A12X? A12? Not to mention they already refreshed the base iPad recently.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
efktd Avatar
56 months ago
2021 is going to be expensive!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Veeper Avatar
56 months ago

When was the last time Apple didn't release new iPad Pros in March?
This March. :D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zwida Avatar
56 months ago
It seems to suggest a new 11" iPad, but unless I'm missing something on the packaging, the only reference to the iPad Pro 11" is for the 2018-2020 model.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
56 months ago

Why would a product be on the floor if it can’t be sold for almost another month?
That part of the story seems made up.
Silly that it can't be sold when it also works for the iPad Air 2020 and iPad Pro 11" (2018-2020).

Whatevers.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)