Leaked iPad Air 3 Case Images Suggest the Device Will Share iPad Pro’s Most Loved Features

If the photos your about to feast your eyes on are accurate, then you just might happen to be looking directly at an actual case, manufactured in China, reported to be exclusive to Apple’s impending iPad Air 3. That’s the buzz on the streets, at least, according to the popular Japanese Blog Macotokara.

A case (err, cases) allegedly designed and manufactured according to the specifications of a new, 9.7-inch iPad were the showcase of Macotokara on Sunday afternoon. Sporting a design boasting the physical connections and cut-outs to accommodate a smaller iPad Pro, the case appears to feature support for several of the larger iPad’s most intuitive bells and whistles — most notably, the company’s new ‘Smart Connector’, which could be a tell tale sign of the tablet’s ability to pair with devices such as 3rd party keyboards and accessories.

Oddly enough (though not disappointing in the slightest) the case also appears to feature 4 cut-outs for the same, iPad Pro style speaker configuration, as well as a groove underneath the rear camera module, which could suggest the inclusion of an LED flash module for the device for the first time ever. This would be a completely new, though needless to say, welcome addition, as the iPad line has historically suffered from the perils of low image quality due to the absence of flash.

Aside from the aforementioned tweaks to the case’s design, its physical structure remains relatively consistent with the iPad Pro — boasting the 4-grille speaker configuration, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack port, power button up top, and also, the inclusion of the company’s Smart Connector port.

Apple is all but certain to pull the wraps off a 3rd generation iPad Air, known as the ‘iPad Air 3’, within the first-half of the year; most likely at an upcoming event in March where the company is also rumored to showcase a new 4-inch iPhone, in addition to a slew of new Apple Watch styles and bands.

Apple is also expected to introduce a refreshed line of MacBooks in the first-half of the year, boasting impressive internals along the lines of Intel’s latest and greatest ‘Skylake’ processors.

Learn More: Apple to Launch iPhone 5se and iPad Air 3 in the First-Half of 2016

What do you think? Would you like to see these features included in the iPad Air 3?

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]