Rumor: Apple's new 9.7" iPad will carry premium $599 starting price for 32GB
In a move that will perhaps further emphasize the anticipated "Pro" branding, Apple's new 9.7-inch iPad is rumored to carry a starting price of $599 for 32 gigabytes of capacity, a $100 increase over the traditional new iPad entry point.

Since the first iPad was launched in 2010, Apple has stuck to an entry-level price of $499 for 16 gigabytes of capacity. That's set to change with the new 9.7-inch iPad, according to 9to5mac, which claims the device will start at $599 for 32 gigabytes.
Wi-Fi-only 32-gigabyte models have always cost $599, so the move would not technically be a price increase. But, if true, it does signal that the entry-level 16-gigabyte capacity is on the way out, at least for the latest flagship 9.7-inch model.
Like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the new iPad is also expected to come in a 128-gigabyte capacity.
Apple would seem unlikely to abandon the $499 price point, which could signal that the iPad Air 2 will remain available at that price. The company also currently sells the 2013 iPad Air for $399 -- the same price point as the iPad mini 4.

Rumors have suggested the new 9.7-inch iPad will be branded as an iPad Pro, following the lead set by Apple's jumbo-sized 12.9-inch model that launched last fall. Apple's mid-size iPad Pro is expected to feature many of the capabilities of the larger model, including the magnetic Smart Connector, a four-speaker array, and support for the Apple Pencil.
With Smart Connector support, Apple is also expected to unveil a more compact Smart Keyboard accessory for its new iPad. And in an upgrade over the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, leaked schematics have suggested the rear camera on the 9.7-inch model will feature an LED flash.
All will be revealed on Monday, when Apple is set to host an event to unveil new products. In addition to a new iPad, the event is also expected to mark the debut of a new 4-inch iPhone, rumored to be called the "iPhone SE," featuring an A9 processor and support for Apple Pay.
With many specs rumored to be equivalent to the iPhone 6s series, pricing on the iPhone SE also remains a question heading into Monday's keynote. The new 4-inch iPhone is rumored to take the place of the low-end $449 iPhone 5s, but an A9 processor would make it more powerful than the mid-range iPhone 6 series, which starts at $549.
Apple's "Let us loop you in" presentation kicks off Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. AppleInsider will be there live and will provide full coverage of the event and hands-on impressions with Apple's latest devices.

Since the first iPad was launched in 2010, Apple has stuck to an entry-level price of $499 for 16 gigabytes of capacity. That's set to change with the new 9.7-inch iPad, according to 9to5mac, which claims the device will start at $599 for 32 gigabytes.
Wi-Fi-only 32-gigabyte models have always cost $599, so the move would not technically be a price increase. But, if true, it does signal that the entry-level 16-gigabyte capacity is on the way out, at least for the latest flagship 9.7-inch model.
Like the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the new iPad is also expected to come in a 128-gigabyte capacity.
Apple would seem unlikely to abandon the $499 price point, which could signal that the iPad Air 2 will remain available at that price. The company also currently sells the 2013 iPad Air for $399 -- the same price point as the iPad mini 4.

Rumors have suggested the new 9.7-inch iPad will be branded as an iPad Pro, following the lead set by Apple's jumbo-sized 12.9-inch model that launched last fall. Apple's mid-size iPad Pro is expected to feature many of the capabilities of the larger model, including the magnetic Smart Connector, a four-speaker array, and support for the Apple Pencil.
With Smart Connector support, Apple is also expected to unveil a more compact Smart Keyboard accessory for its new iPad. And in an upgrade over the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, leaked schematics have suggested the rear camera on the 9.7-inch model will feature an LED flash.
All will be revealed on Monday, when Apple is set to host an event to unveil new products. In addition to a new iPad, the event is also expected to mark the debut of a new 4-inch iPhone, rumored to be called the "iPhone SE," featuring an A9 processor and support for Apple Pay.
With many specs rumored to be equivalent to the iPhone 6s series, pricing on the iPhone SE also remains a question heading into Monday's keynote. The new 4-inch iPhone is rumored to take the place of the low-end $449 iPhone 5s, but an A9 processor would make it more powerful than the mid-range iPhone 6 series, which starts at $549.
Apple's "Let us loop you in" presentation kicks off Monday at 10 a.m. Pacific, 1 p.m. Eastern. AppleInsider will be there live and will provide full coverage of the event and hands-on impressions with Apple's latest devices.
Comments
At $499 the current iPad pricing is already firmly in the premium segment, there is no real justification for the increase.
There's nothing surprising about the pricing of the 9.7" iPad Pro (if true).
I don't expect them to lower the price and rush to the bottom, but increasing the price seems like a bad move to me.
But hey, I'm not the CEO and I am sure they have done their research.
You are looking at the iPad Air 2's specs and price, as it stands now, and saying "Yep, I'd pay $100 more for all of the features of the new one", but only someone who lives under a rock would walk to a shop today and pay $499 for an iPad Air 2.
You are looking at the specs and features and feel it is more than a refresh, me I see the see the specs and features and see it as an expected refresh.
1. Pencil and smart connector support (Optional extras that Apple makes a tidy sum out of)
2. Much faster CPU/GPU (iPad Air 2 had the A8X vs the A7 and a much faster GPU)
3. 4 Speakers (About damn time, long awaited feature in the iPad line)
4. More Ram (iPad Air 2 doubled the amount in the iPad Air)
5. More Storage (Severley over due, yes I know there is a vocal minority who think the 16gb is fine)
6. Higher refresh screen (Which is needed to sell the heavily marked up Apple pencil)
So to me, this is simply a refresh. The specs on every iPad upgrade (short of the iPad 3 which should never have been released) have always been a big step up on the previous generation.
Very nice, so now let's hope for Apple to keep this pattern for years to come.
Every product refresh cycle, just increase a price by $100 compared to a previous one to justify new features.
Uh, it will be identical to the iPad Pro features, except slightly smaller, for a full $200 less. How the fuck is that "arrogant"? It's the exact same price as the current, non Pro 32GB iPad. You get more for your $$ with Apple products today than you ever did in the entire company's history, and thats obvious by the sales they're achieving.
I swear the trolls here get worse every day. That's the only shame.