Apple May Release Backlit Smart Keyboard With Scissor Switches Alongside 2020 iPads [Updated]

Apple may release a Smart Keyboard with a scissor switch design for its next-generation iPad or iPad Pro models, suggests Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, although full details are not available yet.

A paywalled preview of the report vaguely claims that "Apple's next-generation iPad series reportedly will feature a scissor switch keyboard," which is presumably referring to an accessory rather than a built-in hardware keyboard. The full report should be released tomorrow with more details.

ipad pro smart keyboard
In July 2019, reputable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed that iPad keyboards would stick with a rubber dome design rather than scissor switches in 2020-21, adding further uncertainty to this report.

Apple switched to a butterfly mechanism for its MacBook Pro keyboard in 2016, and after years of issues with sticky or unresponsive keys, it finally returned to a scissor switch design with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro last October. Kuo expects the 13-inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air to follow suit in 2020.

We'll update this post when the full report is released.

Update: The full report claims that Apple will likely release new iPads with "glowing" scissor switch keyboards in the second half of 2020, which presumably means a backlit Smart Keyboard. The report also reiterates that a 13-inch MacBook Pro with a scissor keyboard will be released in the first half of 2020.

Related Roundups: iPad Air , iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

Nimrad Avatar
69 months ago
Always felt I was one of the few to actually love the Smart Keyboard. I welcome better scissor switches, but for me the main issue is LED backlights.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skika Avatar
69 months ago
Backlight and more angles please.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
reallynotnick Avatar
69 months ago
I just wish they could get these under $100, I think ~$150 for a keyboard/case is crazy expensive especially if you want to pair it with the 10.2" iPad.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
69 months ago
Apple is the world's leader in horrible keyboards & mice
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sledgehammer89 Avatar
69 months ago
Smart Keyboard for iPad Pro is the best Keyboard for mobile devices ever.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrumApple Avatar
69 months ago
That would be amazing. The material and sound of the current keyboard case is repulsive.

But more importantly, how about some hotkeys like media control? Logitech has them beat.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)