Apple's Smaller Dock Connector Reportedly Coming to Entire iOS Device Lineup Including iPad This Fall

iMore, which was the first source to report that Apple will be moving to a smaller dock connector with the launch of the next-generation iPhone, now claims that Apple will be moving its entire lineup of iOS devices to the new connector later this year. This includes the current 9.7-inch iPad, which was just updated in March.

iMore has learned that Apple intends to update their entire lineup of iOS device products to support the new, miniaturized Dock connector, and to do it as early the rumored September 12 special event this fall. This would include the new iPhone 5, the the new iPod nano and iPod touch, the rumored 7-inch iPad mini, and an updated version of the current 9.7-inch iPad.

iMore notes that the source of the new information is the same person who originally shared word of Apple's move to the new dock connector, and with numerous other mainstream news reports and parts leaks supporting the original claim, the source does appear to have accurate information.

Apparently, Apple believes consistent Dock connectors across the line, and other improvements they're able to make to the new iPad this point, are more important than sticking to yearly release schedules.

newdock
Case openings for dock connectors on iPhone 4S (left) and claimed next-generation iPhone (right)

iLounge last week hinted at some changes for the fourth-generation iPad with the suggestion that the device could launch with the smaller dock connector later this year, but iLounge expressed skepticism about that possibility given the relatively short time since the last update to the device.

Tag: iMore

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Monday March 31, 2025 11:27 am PDT by
Apple today released new firmware updates for all AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 models. The new firmware is version 7E93, up from the 7B21 firmware that was installed on the AirPods Pro 2 and the 7B20 firmware available on the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC. It is not immediately clear what new features or changes are included in the new firmware, but we'll update this article should we find ...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.4 With Mail Categorization and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.4, the fourth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched in September. macOS Sequoia 15.4 comes two months after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.3. Mac users can download the ‌‌macOS Sequoia‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run macOS 15. With...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...

Top Rated Comments

WildCowboy Avatar
165 months ago
Wow. Stating the bleeding obvious.....

It was obvious they'd be updating the iPad just six months after the last update?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deannnnn Avatar
165 months ago
Hope it's MagSafe!
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tibi08 Avatar
165 months ago
Wow. Stating the bleeding obvious.....
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
basesloaded190 Avatar
165 months ago
I still don't believe they will have another update for the iPad this year.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
makingdots Avatar
165 months ago
That's not what I am says. I'm saying it's weak that Apple didn't implement this in March. Else, they should have waited until March.

The newer dock was just recently finalize. If it was implemented on 3rd-gen iPad, you will rant probably why they didn't implement it on iPhone 4S? it's just out you know, bla bla
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mad Mac Maniac Avatar
165 months ago
I still don't believe they will have another update for the iPad this year.

but now they have a reason to update it. I think this makes a lot of sense (especially with apple removing the naming convention entirely). Apple can simply say "now we have updated our iPad to use this new dock connector.... and we have also managed to get improved battery life!"

It's a perfect excuse for a mini-update. From now on we will refer to the products as iPad (early 2012), iPad (late 2012), the same as we do for the Mac lineup. Makes sense. ALSO, I predict the iPad mini will simple be called "iPad" but will be a difference size variant. Same as how the Macbook Air comes in 11" and 13", but you don't call one the "Macbook Air Mini" or any other such nonsense.

And now this gives Apple the liberty to update products according to their own timeline... not some abitrary "1 year" timeline. It's all coming together now... There is a method to their maddness.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)