Apple iPad Pro with USB-C rumored

Apple

• Apple could shift from the Lightning port to USB-C for
  its upcoming iPad Pro, according to Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo,
  who has reliably predicted Apple hardware in the past.
• It would be a significant change for Apple’s iPad Pro
  lineup, potentially giving it much better compatibility with
  external hardware and accessories. 
• It could even make the iPad Pro a more tempting device
  as a laptop replacement. 

A new and upcoming iPad Pro could come with a USB-C port instead
of Apple’s proprietary Lightning port, according to Apple
analyst Ming Chi Kuo, who has a great track record with Apple
device predictions.

We first saw the report on 9to5Mac.

Apart from adopting a more universal standard, it’s not clear
exactly why Apple could be giving USB-C ports to its iPad over
the traditional Lightning port.

One clear benefit from the change would be the ability to charge
the iPad Pro with a USB-C cable, which is becoming more and more
ubiquitous with device charging. Namely, Apple’s own MacBook and
MacBook Pro laptops use USB-C for charging.

Apple

In relation to charging, Kuo predicts that Apple will include an
18-watt charging brick and USB-C cable to charge the upcoming
iPad Pro. 

An iPad Pro with USB-C could also be a massive step towards iPads
that could realistically replace your computer, as per Apple’s
marketing that claims iPads can replace traditional computers
like laptops. 

For one, giving USB-C to iPad Pros means users could potentially
plug in a much wider variety of devices and accessories than they
could with Apple’s standard Lightning port. 

For example, you might have the option to plug in an external
hard drive, which could be enormously useful to professionals
with massive photo or video files to edit on apps like Photoshop
or iMovie. A music professional could plug in music hardware that
they’re used to plugging into computers, like MIDI devices,
thanks to USB-C. 

Apple

Essentially, USB-C could give the iPad Pro a lot more use as a
primary standalone device rather than just a tablet that
accompanies a computer. 

Kuo also predicts that the new iPad Pro will come with the iPhone
X’s Face ID facial recognition system for unlocking the device
and making mobile payments. 

That said, these are all rumors, and my examples are purely
speculative. We still don’t know what Apple’s plans are for USB-C
on an iPad Pro, assuming that’s happening. Kuo has proven to be a
reliable source of predictions, but it’s still not a guarantee.
Whether Apple will announce new iPad Pros during its September 12
event is also uncertain, and possibly unlikely. The company is
said to be announcing three new iPhones during its September
event, so we might see the iPads coming later during an event in
October.