It is already expected that Apple will release an iPad Pro follow-up next year. Speculations suggest that the upcoming iPad Pro 2 will be a full lineup, with at least three versions launching. In addition, the lineup may adopt the iPad Air 3 as its entry-level slate.
Reportedly, there are industry followers who believe that Apple will add another variant in the iPad Pro 2 lineup. Aside from the original 12.9-inch slate, as well as the 9.7-inch refresh, the Cupertino-based tech giant will supposedly launch a new, 10.5-inch version of the iPad Pro 2. Noted Apple observer Ming-Chi Kuo has been quoted as saying: "If the iPad comes in a larger size, such as a 10.5" model, we believe it will be helpful to bid for tenders within the commercial and education markets. As a result, we expect Apple to launch a 10.5" iPad Pro in 2017."
Meanwhile, aside from a full lineup, the iPad Pro 2 is also rumored to include the much-awaited iPad Air 3 as its entry-level slate. While the 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 may seem to be the base version of the series, it is still expected to come out with flagship-level specs like an A10X chipset and at least 3 GB of RAM, along with major design improvements like an updated Apple Pen.
This makes it highly likely that for an entry-level slate, Apple will have to release the iPad Air 3 as a co-launch early next year. The much-anticipated slate is expected to be part of the revamped Apple tablet lineup, with rumored specs and features like an A9X processor and at least 2 GB of RAM.
Although Apple has yet to confirm its schedule plans for its 2017 releases, a simultaneous release for the iPad Air 3 and iPad Pro 2 is expected, since the former has been reportedly delayed a number of times. According to rumors, the iPad Air 3 was supposed to be released in late 2015, as a yearly upgrade cycle for the iPad Air 2 (which launched in October 2014).
