Analytics pick up four new iPad models out in the wild, running early builds of iOS 10.3 and iOS 11 in the Cupertino area
Just as supply chain sources claim Apple is gearing up to launch new iPad hardware as soon as next week, Analytics firm Fiksu is reporting that four new iPad models have been spotted out in the wild, with the devices running early builds of iOS 10.3 and iOS 11 in the Cupertino area.
The report details model identifiers: iPad 7,1; iPad 7,2; iPad 7,3 and iPad 7,4, spotting traces of 40 devices which are believed to be pre-releases and ex-testing hardware given to engineers and top level executives, the data shows that the iPads have been using a range of popular applications, including games, music, real estate and weather.
While the prospect of four new iPad models sounds exciting, it doesn’t necessarily mean the company has four new individual devices ready to ship, cellular iPads have different device identifiers than WiFi-only versions; as such, the most likely conclusion is that these 4 identifiers represent 2 new iPad models.
The new hardware was seen running iOS 10.3 and iOS 11, further adding to rumours that the 10.3 software will be released to the public within a matter of weeks. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has previously suggested that Apple is readying a 10.5-inch iPad Pro with a bezel-free edge-to-edge display that allows Apple to fit a larger screen in the same 9.7-inch form factor as well as a a lower-cost 9.7-inch tablet.
Supply chain sources claim Apple is ready to launch new products as soon as next week. https://t.co/VgL1nXQ9vB
— The Apple Post (@TheApplePost) March 13, 2017