Analyst Says 2018 iPad Pro Models Might Ditch Lightning Connector For USB-C

Apple’s annual iPhone event is just a day away and a new batch of predictions and speculations have surfaced online. An analyst has claimed that Apple’s new 2018 iPad Pro might ditch the Lightning connector in favor of a USB Type-C charger.

TF international Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently released a new research note providing additional details about Apple’s new iPad Pro, MacBook, Apple Watch Series 4 and the 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. Kuo predicted that Apple will be replacing the Lightning connector with a USB-C interface for the 2018 iPad Pro models. He also said that the new iPad Pro models will come with an 18W power adapter in the box, according to MacRumors.

This seems a little farfetched since Apple is known for sticking to its proprietary ports on its mobile products. Perhaps Kuo is simply referring to a USB-C charger, but the 2018 iPad Pro itself will still have a Lightning port. Kuo’s wording is a bit vague, so it can go either way.

“In addition to Face ID support, we expect the new iPad Pro models' main upgrade to include replacing Lightning with a USB-C interface and bundling with a new unibody design 18W power adapter, which cancels the removable plug design…,” Kuo said in his research note.

Apple is also expected to release a new entry-level MacBook model during the 2018 iPhone event and Kuo has some additional information on that. Kuo said that the lower-priced MacBook will be replacing the current 12-inch MacBook. The new 2018 MacBook will also allegedly arrive with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, but it won’t have the Touch Bar, which will remain exclusive to the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models.

For the Apple Watch Series 4, Kuo said that all models of the smartwatch will come with ceramic backs, 9To5Mac has learned. This will be a bit of a change from the Series 3, which arrived with GPS models that have composite backs. Kuo also said that the Series 4 models will have support for electrocardiography (ECG/EKG), which is a feature that allows the device to record the electrical activity of the user’s heart.

Lastly, Kuo also provided some more information on the availability of the 2018 6.1-inch LCD iPhone. The analyst believes that the handset will launch in late September or early October. He said that the delay is due to issues related to assembly and the device’s display.

In a separate report, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that the 6.1-inch 2018 iPhone might ship in “limited quantities initially.” One of Gurman’s sources also said that Apple has considered calling the LCD model the “iPhone Xr.” The popular rumor that’s going around, however, is that the handset might be called the iPhone Xc.

Apple’s special press event will happen tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET in the company’s Cupertino headquarters. The event will be available to live stream on Apple’s website.