Rumor: 10.5" iPad Pro with 'A10X' CPU to ship in first quarter of 2017
A fourth screen size is coming to Apple's iPad lineup in early 2017, supply chain rumors continue to reiterate, with the latest report claiming it will run a faster version of the A10 chip found in the iPhone 7.
Production of the rumored 10.5-inch iPad will begin in December, according to DigiTimes, ahead of a first-quarter 2017 launch. The new form factor is expected to be slightly larger than the 9.7-inch display that has been on Apple's flagship iPad model since it first debuted in 2010.
While DigiTimes has an unreliable track record on Apple hardware rumors, this week's report is just the latest in a series of claims suggesting a new 10.5-inch iPad will arrive early next year. The new larger, model is expected to be a high-end "pro" version, while a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad will also be introduced, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities.
In addition, Apple is also expected to launch a third, 12.9-inch iPad Pro update for its 2017 iPad lineup. According to DigiTimes, both the 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models will feature an "A10X" processor.
Alleged "A10X" benchmarks appeared online back in October, showing performance levels significantly higher than the A10 chip found in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. In years past, Apple has added "X" differentiators to iPad chips with more horsepower, intended to drive their larger displays and aided by beefier batteries.
Supply chain sources expect the new 10.5-inch iPad will see shipments of 2 million units in the first quarter of 2017. Total shipments for the year may reach as many as 5 million to 6 million units.
Production of the rumored 10.5-inch iPad will begin in December, according to DigiTimes, ahead of a first-quarter 2017 launch. The new form factor is expected to be slightly larger than the 9.7-inch display that has been on Apple's flagship iPad model since it first debuted in 2010.
While DigiTimes has an unreliable track record on Apple hardware rumors, this week's report is just the latest in a series of claims suggesting a new 10.5-inch iPad will arrive early next year. The new larger, model is expected to be a high-end "pro" version, while a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad will also be introduced, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities.
In addition, Apple is also expected to launch a third, 12.9-inch iPad Pro update for its 2017 iPad lineup. According to DigiTimes, both the 10.5- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models will feature an "A10X" processor.
Alleged "A10X" benchmarks appeared online back in October, showing performance levels significantly higher than the A10 chip found in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. In years past, Apple has added "X" differentiators to iPad chips with more horsepower, intended to drive their larger displays and aided by beefier batteries.
Supply chain sources expect the new 10.5-inch iPad will see shipments of 2 million units in the first quarter of 2017. Total shipments for the year may reach as many as 5 million to 6 million units.
Comments
Personally im going for the 12.9" model. I've said it before but I've been waiting for V2. The pending update rumor is good enough for me.
Steve Jobs would have seen it already long time ago.
If they won't produce 11,3" model, Apple is doomed.
Sure hope so. Something like this would be easier to understand for consumers:
iPad - 7.9" & 9.7"
iPad Pro - 10.5" & 12.9"
E.g., I cannot fathom why the iPad has not got a native Weather and Calculator app. These are actual very useful apps. Should their absence be understood as a lack of commitment? There's an explanation out there, but I am not sure if this story is to believed: http://www.cultofmac.com/421893/why-the-ipad-has-never-shipped-with-a-calculator-app/
>:x
E.g. For me, I'd like to have a white border, while others would prefer an edge to edge display, expanding the screen of the iPad to 10.5 inch.
I can also imagine others with a gold iPad to want to have a black border. This would all be possible because the border is customisable. I'd imagine there would be four focus mode options in system preferences: no border, black, white and silver.
>:x
Good change this will be the case.
The iPad mini has the same resolution as the original iPad but has 326 ppi compared to 264 ppi for the 9.7". The 12.9" iPad Pro has the same 264 ppi as the 9.7" iPad but with a higher resolution. If this resolution is used with a 326 ppi display it will be 10.47". So, both Pro's will have the same higher resolution.
Simple lineup:
- 12.9" iPad Pro (2732 by 2048 resolution)
- 10.5" iPad Pro mini (2732 by 2048 resolution)
- 9.7" iPad (Air) (2048 by 1536 resolution)
- 7.9" iPad (Air) mini (2048 by 1536 resolution)
- 7.9" iPad Mini
- 10.5" iPad Standard
- 12.9" iPad Plus (matching iPhone branding)
What we will probably see is a new IGZO-backed 10.47" with the new wide color gamut and either a new thinness or an extention of battery life, or both. Should be a fantastic display.
I also think this is late to production, because Tim Cook had said earlier this year that iPad would return to revenue growth by the end of 2016.
And the "Hello Agsin" event was a bit truncated, as if something was missing. IGZO production devilment strikes again, maybe.
calculator? what do you need? the built in one works great for me.
I'd be soooo happy with an iPad form factor that runs MacOSX. You can put an Ax processor in it; I don't care, just give me that form factor and the ability to dock to keyboard, mouse, big 30" monitor, hardwired networking and external hard drive storage.
wish wish wish wish wish.... :-(
Going the other way you have a Core i3 running MacOS which will beachball a lot even if you get everyone to recompile for Arm.
A better padOS could take the shackles off the iPad pros and really expand up into the space below the Mac and be a real post-pc.