Home Technology Apple could be preparing three new iPads for 2017

Apple could be preparing three new iPads for 2017

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Apple revealing three new ipads

Apple has been facing an uphill battle in recent years with keeping the iPad relevant amid increasingly varied and powerful iPhones. The iPad Pro was a step in a different direction, with more powerful internals and a stylus that just screamed for artists to pick it up and play. But it was also incredibly expensive, which could explain why Apple is aiming to launch a trio of new products in the line this year.

The news comes way of Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo at KGI Securities (via 9to5Mac), who has a relatively good track record with making predictions for Apple throughout the year. He states that the company is preparing three new iPads to launch this year – each a different size and with different performance under the hood to help appeal to a variety of markets. The gist of his new predictions are as follows:

  • The three new iPads will come in three sizes: 9.7 inches, 10-10.5 inches and 12.9 inches.
  • The 12.9-inch version will be a second generation iPad Pro, with a new A10X chip powering it.
  • The 10-10.5 inch model will also use the A10X chip, but be fitted with a much sleeker design and narrow bezel
  • The 9.7 inch version will be a cheaper model, equipped with the A9 chip first found in the iPhone 6S back in 2015.
  • Despite this, iPad sales will still drop this year.

There’s no word then of a new iPad Mini, easily the most precariously placed product now that Apple has seen success in pushing out iPhones with larger and larger displays in recent years. The less powerful 9.7 inch model could bridge that gap a little, but it’s still evident that Apple doesn’t really know if these are even necessary anymore. Is there a reason consumers need a much larger version of an iPhone that boasts two-year old processing power? Perhaps not.

An iPad Pro replacement, however, still brings viability to the market, especially for those enamoured with Apple’s new tablet that crave just a little more power. Whether these three models stand throughout the year until reveal is still up in the air, but for now Apple doesn’t seem intent on letting this line disappear just yet.

Last Updated: January 10, 2017

9 Comments

  1. Ottokie

    January 10, 2017 at 09:32

    Incoming mindless fandroids xD

    Reply

  2. PurplePariah

    January 10, 2017 at 09:45

    But does it have a headphone jack?

    Reply

  3. Guild

    January 10, 2017 at 09:52

    I use my iPad mini every day so hopefully they never stop the iPad line. Was hoping a newer version would be available this year. That said I’m content to get the 10.7 inch model.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      January 10, 2017 at 09:58

      Finally getting a bigger unit eh?

      Reply

      • Guild

        January 10, 2017 at 10:26

        Meh maybe. I’m content with the mini but my son keeps using mine so might need another one

        Reply

  4. Admiral Chief

    January 10, 2017 at 09:57

    iWon’t buy

    Reply

  5. Matthew Holliday

    January 10, 2017 at 10:00

    Apple trying to make the 12″ tablet work?
    Or did the 12″ tablets not work befor because they werent apple?

    Reply

  6. Magoo

    January 10, 2017 at 11:47

    I don’t think I will ever understand.

    Reply

  7. Gavin Mannion

    January 10, 2017 at 12:20

    My wife’s iPad 2 is still going strong and I think that’s the problem for Apple.

    She’s had 3 iPhones in the same time that her iPad has been going and even now she has no interest in upgrading it..

    Reply

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