In the quiet evolution of how we power our devices, Apple is said to be reimagining the iPad Pro with a glass back that would, for the first time, bring wireless charging to its tablet line — and potentially allow the iPad to give energy to other devices in return. Still in early development as of mid-2021, this effort reflects a broader human desire for seamless, cable-free connection between the tools we carry. Whether it reaches consumers in 2022 or dissolves into the long list of features that never were, it signals a moment where Apple is reconsidering the boundaries between its devices.
Apple Testing Wireless Charging for Next iPad Pro, Bloomberg Reports
Reverse wireless charging would be entirely new to Apple's ecosystem
Mark
So Apple is building an iPad that charges wirelessly. That's the headline, right?
Mimi
That's part of it, but the bigger story is reverse wireless charging—the iPad would charge your iPhone or AirPods. That's never been on any Apple device before.
Luke
Hold on. Bloomberg says it's early in development. How early? Are we talking prototype, or are we talking "we've decided this is happening"?
Mimi
Early enough that plans could change. Apple could delay it or scrap it entirely. That's what Bloomberg reported.
Mark
Why would Apple put a glass back on an iPad? That seems fragile.
Mimi
Glass is necessary for wireless charging to work. The signal has to pass through the material. It's the same reason iPhones have glass backs.
Luke
But iPhones are phones—people expect them to be premium and fragile. iPads are tools. Do people want a glass-backed iPad?
Mimi
That's the question Apple's probably asking itself right now. It's a tradeoff between functionality and durability.
Mark
When would this actually ship?
Mimi
The report suggests 2022, but that's not locked in. Apple changes timelines all the time.
Luke
And reverse wireless charging—has Apple actually shipped that on anything yet?
Mimi
No. It's been rumored for years, even back to the iPhone 11 days. It never happened. So this would be the first time.
Mark
Why would they put it on an iPad first instead of an iPhone?
Mimi
Maybe because an iPad is bigger and can hold more battery. More power to share with other devices. It's speculation, but it makes some sense.
The Pulse
- For years, wireless charging has lived on iPhones but remained absent from iPads — a gap that has quietly frustrated users seeking consistency across Apple's ecosystem.
- A glass back, the key structural change under consideration, would unlock both standard wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, a capability no Apple device has ever offered.
- Apple is also testing MagSafe-like magnetic alignment technology for the iPad, which could bring a new generation of snap-on accessories to the tablet world.
- The project is fragile — still early, with no committed launch date, and subject to the engineering, supply chain, and strategic pressures that have quietly killed Apple features before.
- If it lands, the iPad Pro could shift from peripheral device to ecosystem hub, capable of topping up an iPhone or AirPods without a cable in sight.
In the quiet evolution of how we power our devices, Apple is said to be reimagining the iPad Pro with a glass back that would, for the first time, bring wireless charging to its tablet line — and potentially allow the iPad to give energy to other devices in return. Still in early development as of mid-2021, this effort reflects a broader human desire for seamless, cable-free connection between the tools we carry. Whether it reaches consumers in 2022 or dissolves into the long list of features that never were, it signals a moment where Apple is reconsidering the boundaries between its devices.
Apple is reportedly developing a new iPad Pro built around a glass back — a design shift that would bring wireless charging to the iPad for the very first time. The project, surfaced by Bloomberg in mid-2021, remains in early stages, and Apple has made no firm commitments; the effort could be delayed or quietly shelved if development proves too difficult.
The current iPad Pro, refreshed in April 2021 with an M1 chip and mini-LED display, relies entirely on wired charging. The new model would change that in two directions: users could charge the iPad on a standard wireless mat, and the iPad could reverse that flow — wirelessly powering an iPhone or AirPods placed nearby. Reverse wireless charging has never appeared in any Apple product, despite years of rumors surrounding the iPhone line.
Apple is also exploring MagSafe-like technology for the iPad, which would use magnets to align the device for charging and anchor new accessories — extending the ecosystem logic that MagSafe introduced with the iPhone 12 in 2020. The visual design would echo the angular aesthetic Apple adopted for the iPad Pro in 2018, pulling the tablet's look closer to the iPhone family.
A 2022 launch has been floated, but Apple's hardware roadmap shifts often in response to components, manufacturing realities, and internal priorities. For users, the promise is simple convenience. For Apple, it is something larger — a chance to make the iPad a true hub within its device ecosystem, capable of giving as much as it receives.
Apple is working on an iPad Pro that could fundamentally change how the company thinks about charging its tablets. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant has begun development on a new model featuring a glass back—a design choice that would enable wireless charging for the first time on an iPad. The project is still in its early stages, and Apple has not committed to a timeline; the company could delay the launch or abandon the effort entirely if development hits obstacles.
The current iPad Pro, unveiled in April 2021 with an M1 chip and mini-LED display, does not support wireless charging. This new model would mark a significant departure from that approach. The glass back would serve a dual purpose: it would allow users to charge the iPad by placing it on a charging mat, similar to how iPhones work today, and it would enable reverse wireless charging—a feature that would let the iPad itself power other devices like iPhones or AirPods wirelessly.
Reverse wireless charging would be entirely new to Apple's product ecosystem. Even the iPhone 12 series, released in 2020, does not support this capability, despite earlier rumors suggesting Apple might introduce it with the iPhone 11. The technology has been rumored for years but has never materialized in any Apple device. If Apple does bring it to the iPad Pro, it would represent a notable shift in the company's approach to device interoperability.
Apple is also testing MagSafe-like wireless charging technology for the iPad, according to the Bloomberg report. MagSafe, which debuted on the iPhone 12 lineup, uses magnets to align devices for charging and to attach accessories. Bringing a similar system to the iPad would create consistency across Apple's product line and potentially open new possibilities for magnetic accessories designed specifically for tablets.
The design itself would echo changes Apple made to the iPad Pro in 2018, when the company introduced a more angular, modern aesthetic. A glass back would bring the iPad Pro's design language closer to the iPhone's, creating visual and functional harmony across the company's mobile devices. However, glass backs introduce durability considerations and add weight and thickness to a device—tradeoffs Apple would need to weigh carefully.
The timeline for this new iPad Pro remains uncertain. Bloomberg's reporting suggests a potential 2022 launch, but that date is not firm. Apple frequently adjusts its hardware roadmap based on component availability, manufacturing challenges, or strategic priorities. The company has shown willingness to delay or cancel features if they do not meet its standards or if market conditions shift.
For iPad users, wireless charging would be a convenience feature—no more hunting for a Lightning cable or USB-C connector. For Apple, it represents an opportunity to deepen the integration between its devices and to create new revenue streams through accessories. Reverse wireless charging, if it works reliably, could make the iPad a hub device in the Apple ecosystem, capable of topping up other gadgets when needed. Whether that vision reaches consumers depends on whether Apple's engineers can solve the technical challenges ahead.
Notable Quotes
Launch plans could change. Apple could delay the launch and even scrap its plans if it sees fit.— Bloomberg reporting on Apple's development status
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