A new report seemingly confirms that Apple is working on a 12-inch plus iPad that will boast a feature set aimed at professional users, including a pressure-sensitive Bluetooth stylus, Force Touch input technology, a USB-C connector and more.

Rumors of a larger-screen iPad, dubbed the iPad Pro or iPad Air Plus, have been doing the rounds for some time. Originally expected in April, more recent rumors have suggested Apple may only release the iPad Pro in September due to supply chain issues involving the display.

Now, someone said to be familiar with Apple’s plans for the iPad has revealed to AppleInsider that the company is working on a 12.9-inch iPad that will include all-new features not seen before on iPads.

According to the source, Apple’s new 12.9-inch iPad will feature an NFC radio. It’s unlikely, notes the report, that tap-to-pay functionality will be supported, but built-in NFC capability could mean that the iPad Pro could be used as a payment-receiving terminal for Apple Pay.

The 12.9-inch iPad will also feature a new touchscreen with improved touch latency, claimed the source. This will supposedly improve the user experience when used with Apple’s new Bluetooth stylus.

Patents could indicate a stylus for new iPad

News that Apple was working on a stylus for its upcoming 12-inch plus iPad first surfaced in January when AppleInsider obtained a report citing several Apple patent filings from Ming-Chi Kuo, a KGI Securities analyst known for his accurate Apple product predictions.

Further supporting this rumor, AppleInsider’s source said that Apple’s new stylus will connect to the iPad Pro via Bluetooth and feature pressure-sensitive input.

Introduced in the latest MacBook and Apple Watch, Apple’s Force Touch technology will reportedly also make it into the 12.9-inch iPad. Force Touch senses and distinguishes between variable finger pressures and performs specific actions based on the amount of force applied.

As for ports, the source claimed that the iPad Pro will feature a USB-C port but did not say whether this will be a second port – in addition to Apple’s standard Lightning connector – or if it will be the sole port on the larger iPad. Recent images of cases designed using leaked iPad Pro designs show two port openings, which may indicate a USB-C port and Lightning connector.

With a larger screen and intended for use by professionals, the 12.9-ich iPad will also get an all-new “next-generation” A-series processor to beef up performance.

Photo credit: Cheon Fong Liew | Flickr