Mark Gurman, writing about new iPad Pros which could come “as early as April:”
The devices will have an updated processor that is on par with the faster M1 chip in the latest MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Apple designs these processors itself and typically has them made by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Apple is also looking to include a Mini-LED screen with at least the larger model, which would be brighter and have improved contrast ratios.
In testing, the new iPad Pros have used a Thunderbolt connector, the same port on the latest Macs with custom Apple processors. The port doesn’t require new chargers, but it would enable connectivity with additional external monitors, hard drives and other peripherals. It’s also faster at syncing data than the USB-C technology used in the current models.
I can count on one hand the times I’ve plugged anything other than a charger into my 2018 iPad Pro. I don’t expect Thunderbolt to really change that, but this is a feature they already support with the Apple silicon Macs, so why not bring it to the iPad Pro? It opens up new opportunities for people who really push their iPad Pro, and it gives the Pro some breathing room to distance it from the USB-C enabled iPad Air.