Sometimes reliable publication DigiTimes says the new 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad models that are expected to debut at a March Apple event won’t hit store shelves until May or June. A new 9.7-inch model is expected to ship soon after the event.
… sources said that they are now more certain that both of the planned two large-size models will not come until May-June, thereby affecting first-quarter sales of supply chain makers.
Stocks of 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have continued to fall in recent weeks. Shipping estimates now show as 2 to 3 weeks in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and a number of other countries. Although this can be an indicator of new models being on the way, the delays could also be due to supply constraints.
Refresh Rumors
A refresh for the iPad lineup has been rumored for awhile now. Reports claim an all-new 10.5-inch Pro model with slimmer bezels may debut in March. (Or the second half of the year, depending on who you listen to.)
Reports claim that the top of the device will still include a bezel, to allow for the front-facing FaceTime camera. However, the size of the bottom bezel will be greatly reduced. The rumored 10.9-inch iPad Pro will have the same overall footprint as the current 9.7-inch model.
The new device is said to be thicker than the current smaller Pro, at 7.5mm, the same as the original iPad Air. (The current 9.7-inch Pro measures in a 6.1mm thick.) The report indicates a new 12.9-inch Pro will come in at 7.2mm, 0.3mm thicker than the current big Pro.
A number of rumors have indicated a new iPad in the 10-inch range is on the way. However, details have varied with each report. Both KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and publication DigiTimes have claimed a 10.5-inch iPad Pro is on the way. An earlier report from Mac Otakara indicated the device would come in at 10.1 inches.
As far as other changes to Apple’s “Pro” tablet lineup, previous predictions from Kuo indicate an OLED display might be on the way for some models as soon as 2018.
Apple CEO Tim Cook indicated a refreshed iPad lineup is on the way during the company’s latest earnings call. “We’ve got some exciting things coming on iPad and I’m optimistic about where things are headed,” said Cook.
