Roundup: What to expect from Apple’s spring iPad refresh
Anticipation is building for spring which is when many anticipate Apple will update their range of iPad hardware, introducing an all new 10.5-inch tablet as well as updating their existing line of iPad Pro models with internal upgrades and a possible price reduction. With reports from analytics firms claiming to of sighted up to 40 new iPad devices running early builds of iOS 10.3 and iOS 11 in the Cupertino area, here’s what we expect from Apple’s spring iPad refresh.
Updated 12.9-inch & 9.7-inch iPad Pro:
Recent reports have suggested Apple is readying a range of new ‘iPad Pro 2’ hardware to launch in late March or early April, bringing mainly internal enhancements which shall build from the success of the current iPad hardware. Apple is said to be updating the tablets with their A10X processor, which will allow for improved speed and graphics performance, a step up from the A10 processor found in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Currently, Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro is somewhat ahead of the original 12.9-inch model, with the smaller tablet packing an 12MP rear camera while the larger 12.9-inch device only has a 8MP camera as well as differences between the front facing camera and the lack of an LED flash on the rear. The update to Apple’s iPad Pro line is expected to unify the two devices, making them both equal apart from their obvious display size difference.
New 10.5-inch iPad model:
The star of Apple’s spring iPad refresh will be their new 10.5-inch device, something reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo amongst others have been reporting on for months. It’s believed that the new edition to the iPad range will truly standout from the crowd, launching with a groundbreaking design which will feature a near bezel-less display with the same physical footprint as the 9.7-inch iPad model and virtual Home button.
Considering how close the new 10.5-inch tablet is to launching we haven’t seen very much leak from Apple’s supply chain, meaning we’re going into the unknown with this one but it’s expected that the device will feature an LCD panel, as opposed to OLED displays which is reportedly coming to the iPad lineup sometime in 2018, but not this year.
When, where and how much?
Many different dates are currently flying around for the launch of Apple’s next generation iPad hardware, some believe the company will hold off until April when Apple will be in a position to launch the range at the Steve Jobs Theatre at Apple Park where as others speculate Apple will quietly launch the two new iPad Pro models online without an official media launch, leaving the 10.5-inch iPad to appear at WWDC in June.
It’s believed Apple will launch a “budget” 9.7-inch iPad this spring to help Apple combat the ongoing decline in iPad sales. It’s uncertain if this will be coming into effect alongside the updated 9.7-inch iPad Pro of if Apple’s iPad Air will see small internal upgrades and a price reduction instead. The lower priced iPad Pro will feature the same A9X processor that the current iPad Pro to keep cost down and boost popularity in the education sector according to reports.