Apple is said to be planning to add another iPad Pro model and will be releasing it by spring next year. It is rumored that these new models will be water-resistant.
According to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Cupertino-based tech giant is planning to add another model to its iPad Pro lineup, one with a 10.5-inch display screen. This will be the mid-range for the series, with the 9.7-inch model at the lower end and the 12.9-inch at the opposite side of the price spectrum, reported by Mac Rumors.
Kuo added that the new iPad Pro model would be targeting "commercial and educational markets." The next 12.9 and the new 10.5-inch tablets could possibly arrive with the 10 nm FinFET A10X processor, while the affordable 9.7-inch may arrive with the A9X chip. Both chips are exclusively manufactured by TSMC.
Additionally, he also predicted that by 2018, the community can expect a redesigned iPad lineup, wherein Apple might start using a flexible AMOLED screen panel for the new tablets. Additional features and a new form factor is also expected from the new devices which could provide new selling points. Tech Radar added the next generation will have an additional protection against liquid spills and splash, but will not include a 3.5 mm headphone port, similar to the iPhone 7.
Kuo also suggested that the company will continue to experience slowdown in terms of sales of the iPad due to lack of models and will continue until next year. However, it will not only be Apple that will be affected with declining sales. It is for the general tablet market.
In other news, Apple has phased out its 16GB storage variants for several of its iPad models. These include the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4, at the same time taking out the 64 GB option as well. The storage capacity for the two models now stands at 32GB and 128GB, as shown in the comparison chart from the company. Additionally, the company also modified the pricing of its iPad Pro models. It is US$50 less for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro for both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular variants, while the 256GB models receive a US$100 discount.
The Apple iPad Pro 2 is speculated arrive by spring 2017.
