Rumor says 10.2- & 10.5-inch iPads in the works, launching separately
Apple is not only working on 10.2- and 10.5-inch iPads, but planning to ship them at separate times, a reputable leaker claimed on Wednesday.
Known publicly as "CoinX," the leaker didn't offer any other details, such as features or narrower launch windows. He did refer to the 10.2-inch iPad as the "iPad 7" however, and said the 10.5-inch model isn't a Pro. 2018 iPad Pros come in 11- and 12.9-inch sizes.
CoinX's record includes predicting that one of the 2018 iPad Pros would be 5.9 millimeters thick, and most notably exposing the names of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Casting doubt on the latest rumor is that based on Apple's history, it's unlikely Apple would launch two iPads in such similar dimensions. Apple is rumored to be replacing its 9.7-inch "budget" iPad with a 10.2-inch model, yet it already has a 10.5-inch option in the form of 2017's iPad Pro, still on sale.
Conceivably Apple could position an updated 10.5-inch model in the mid-range, with superior performance to the "budget" line but without some Pro perks.
Apple has also been rumored as planning a fifth-generation iPad mini. That product is mostly expected to be an internal spec upgrade, in which case it would have to keep a 7.9-inch display.
New iPads could make an appearance at a March 25 press event. The focus, though, should be on a video streaming service and Apple News Magazines.
Known publicly as "CoinX," the leaker didn't offer any other details, such as features or narrower launch windows. He did refer to the 10.2-inch iPad as the "iPad 7" however, and said the 10.5-inch model isn't a Pro. 2018 iPad Pros come in 11- and 12.9-inch sizes.
CoinX's record includes predicting that one of the 2018 iPad Pros would be 5.9 millimeters thick, and most notably exposing the names of the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR.
Casting doubt on the latest rumor is that based on Apple's history, it's unlikely Apple would launch two iPads in such similar dimensions. Apple is rumored to be replacing its 9.7-inch "budget" iPad with a 10.2-inch model, yet it already has a 10.5-inch option in the form of 2017's iPad Pro, still on sale.
Conceivably Apple could position an updated 10.5-inch model in the mid-range, with superior performance to the "budget" line but without some Pro perks.
Apple has also been rumored as planning a fifth-generation iPad mini. That product is mostly expected to be an internal spec upgrade, in which case it would have to keep a 7.9-inch display.
New iPads could make an appearance at a March 25 press event. The focus, though, should be on a video streaming service and Apple News Magazines.
Comments
LOW - iPad 6: $329
MID - 2017 10.5 iPad Pro: $649
HIGH - 2018 11 iPad Pro: $799
7.9 mini
9.7 -> 10.2 budget?
10.5 pro
12.9 pro
I’d rather see the 9.7 become the mini size without the bezels. If the 10.2 becomes the same size as the old 9.7 with reduced bezels that would be a nice budget machine.
The 9.7 could actually be more expensive than the 10.2.
The 7.9 mini seems a waste with the larger iPhones...
I think with today’s durability you might be able to get away without a case. The 9.7” would be amazingly small and light. It would also feel modern without the bezel. It might be a Pro device with Pencil support....
so if it's 10.2...I think it's to retire the Ipad pro 10.5 and the 9.7 AND lightning AND Pencil 1.
(and likely either a A12Fusion or A12/A11 chip to get a neural engine)
My guess is FaceID is 'cheaper' to deploy than touchID . (less home button breakage).
to 'NonPro-ify' it... they keep it at 32GB and lower RAM. Keep 2 speaker (maybe 3 speaker for landscape?).
Price: Less than $499 (either $429 or $399)
as for a 10.5" That looks like a false flag... I can't see a 'cheaper' (less than $399) big iPad that isn't the biggest (like the iPhone XR).
Too many options in the 10.2 11 and 12.9 range now (especially if they keep selling the 10.5 and 9.7 for a few months to get rid of inventory).
- Geoff
My immediate reaction is that Apple would not release a 10.2" and a 10.5" model in the same year. Maybe they have a 10.2" model they can get out this year, and then plans to get a 10.5" out next year. Or possibly they're considering both, and will only release the 10.2" model if they can't get the 10.5" model done this year. There just isn't enough of a difference to justify having two units so close in screen size.
Unless one of them is OLED and the other LCD, but even then it seems odd to have such a minor difference in size. Also, I would expect an OLED iPad to be absurdly expensive.
This is, of course, assuming the reports are in any way accurate. Until we hear from other sources, it's hard to really say. I'd want verification from at least another source for something like this, but I don't run a news site so my opinion is...well just that - my opinion.
this would make a perfect line up:
Low end, Touch ID, lightning connector, Pencil 1, 2-3GB RAM, A12, introduced in Spring 2019
Mini $299 32GB, $399 128GB (7.9 inch, same physical dimensions)
iPad $329 32GB, $429 128GB (10.2 inch, same 9.7 physical dimensions)
Mid range 10.5 inch (9.7 inch physical dimensions) Face ID, USB-C, Pencil 2, A13, 4GB RAM introduced Oct–Nov 2019
iPad R $599 64GB; 256GB $699
High end A13X, 6–8 GB RAM, introduced Oct–Nov 2019
iPad Pro 11 inch 128GB $799; 512GB $899; 1TB $1049
iPad Pro 12.9 inch 128GB $999, 512GB $1099; 1TB $1249
I would buy this model
If iPad 7 is 10.2”, then the 10.5” they’ve heard about is probably a modest update to the existing 10.5” Pro. Possibly even a silent update like has happened with iPad models (like iPad 2) many many times.
The 10.5” Pro is larger than the 9.7” model. If they are going with a 10.2” display, it’s because they don’t want to change the physical size for cost and manufacturing reasons.
The 10.5” model is likely an unremarkable update to the existing 10.5” Pro. And at most, a spec bump.
Get away with? I’ve never used a case on any of my iPads in my life. Nor on my Watch.