iPad Pro 3 2018 release date, features, specs rumors: Next high-end tablet to be announced at Apple's educational event on March 27

The two size variants of 2017 iPad Pro with Apple PencilApple website

Apple has still to confirm the development of a brand new iPad Pro, but the rumors are rife that a major hardware refresh is about to drop as early as this month. The iPad Pro 3 was first rumored to be released later in 2018, possibly at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) to be held in June. However, the Cupertino-based tech giant may announce the next-gen iPad Pro during its educational event on March 27.

According to the latest reports, Apple is set to hold a spring event on March 27th, which will be focused on education. The press invitations sent out last week confirm this, although the purpose of the event is somewhat vague as even the company's current tech can be used in the educational field. With this, the company could take this event as an opportunity to unveil its next batch of gizmos, including the iPad Pro 3 2018. 

Regarding the possible specs and features of the iPad Pro 3 2018, it is getting more likely that the next-gen tablet will adapt the iPhone X design. MacRumors reported that the upcoming iPad Pro will sport an all-screen display with minimized bezels along the sides. This time around, the bezels on the top and bottom display will be further reduced to achieve an immersive, full screen view. The iPad Pro 3 2018 is likely to ditch the home button as the bottom bezel becomes razor thin.

With the absence of the home button, the iPad Pro 3 2018 is expected to lose the Touch ID feature as well. The tablet will still need a reliable biometric scanning technology for security and that is why the iPad Pro 2018 could receive the iPhone X's Face ID system. The tablet will use the same TrueDepth camera technology to perform a reliable facial recognition, and the required sensors will be placed at the iPhone X-like notch.

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo first predicted that the iPad Pro 3 2018 would undergo the same design overhaul as the iPhone X. The earlier build of the iOS 11.3 beta also supported the idea of a "modern iPad," as teased by a certain block of code in the firmware beta update. To note, Apple used to describe the iPhone X as the "modern iPhone" before it was officially announced last September.