Apple will debut three new iPads as soon as April says noted KGI Securities analyst Min-Chi Quo. The new iPads are expected in the second quarter of 2017 – and, interestingly, it looks like Apple hasn’t quite decided on the final size of the middle model quite yet.
Here’s the detail from the report:
“The new models will come in 12.9”, 10-10.5” and 9.7” versions. We note the 12.9” model will be the second generation of the existing 12.9” iPad Pro, the 10-10.5” model will be the high-end model equipped with a narrow bezel design, and the 9.7” model will be the low-priced option. The former two models will have an A10X chip manufactured by TSMC (2330 TT, NT$183.5, N), while the latter comes with an A9 chip made by Samsung LSI. Although we estimate iPad shipments in 2017 will drop again YoY to 35-37mn units, we except the decline to narrow to 10% from 2016’s roughly 20%, given that the 10-10.5” model may see more demand from commercial/ enterprises and tender markets, while the low-priced 9.7” model may have a greater shipment contribution and likely account for 50-60% of total shipments of new iPads.”
The key points here are that the 10-10.5″ model is the one that will likely bring a new design to the range. We’ve reported before on Apple’s possible plan to remove the bezel on a forthcoming iPad model, though at that time it was believed the screen might be as large as 10.9-inches.
Elsewhere, it’s intriguing to see the 9.7-inch iPad becoming the entry-level, cheaper model, despite its previous generation sporting the same Pro moniker and specs as the 12.9-inch iPad pro.
It’s also good news for Apple that the contraction of the tablet market appears to be slowing, at least for Apple’s devices.
Source: 9to5Mac