A fresh leak claims the next iPad, the so-called iPad Air 3, could have the same keyboard connector port as the iPad Pro, according to Japanese Apple blog Mac Otakara.
According to Mac Otakara's report, a case purportedly designed for the iPad Air 3 that's on sale on Chinese ecommerce site Alibaba shows a cut out section along the left edge where you'd find the connection point, called the Smart Connector.
The Smart Connector is basically three small rings that connect the iPad Pro to a keyboard. The Smart Connector is also magnetic, which ensures a secure fit between the iPad and keyboards with Smart Connectors.
Chinese case manufacturers have been accurate predicting future Apple gadgets in the past. For example, we saw a leaked case for the iPad 2 back in 2011 before the device was officially announced.
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One of the main benefits of using a Smart Connector keyboard over a Bluetooth keyboard is that the iPad powers the keyboard too. That means you don't need a charging cable for the keyboard's battery.
The case also appears to have cut-outs for speaker grills on the top edge. That reinforces earlier rumors that the iPad Air 3 could come with four speakers (two on the bottom and two on the top edge) for stereo sound, like the iPad Pro.
The report also points out that the camera cut out on the leaked case is slightly bigger than usual, which also strengthens claims that the iPad Air 3 would come with a camera flash.
Adding a flash for an iPad's camera would help with taking photos indoors, as indoor lighting is relatively dim and notoriously tough for mobile cameras to manage.
Apple is expected to announce the next iPad at a launch event in March.
