Fresh from unveiling the new iPhone 7, speculations suggest that Apple is planning another press event to launch new product lineups. However, the rumored iPad Pro 2 series will not be one of them.
Instead, it is said that the Cupertino-based tech giant is thinking of unveiling the new MacBook lineups, including the 2016 editions of the Pro and Air, next month. In addition, the much-awaited iPad Air 3 may also debut in the October launch.
As for the iPad Pro 2, it may be that Apple is thinking of an early 2017 release for the new lineup. A March press event is likely, given that rumors suggest the new lineup will add another iteration to the series. Apple will then need the whole 2017 cycle to market the three new iPad Pro 2 versions.
According to reports, Apple will add a 10.5-inch variant to the upcoming iPad Pro 2 lineup. This will be a mid-size expansion to the expected 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro 2. Allegedly, adding a new variant to an existing lineup will adjust the release for the series, "confirming" that the iPad pro 2 will indeed have a 2017 release.
Adding the new variant will make the iPad Pro 2 a complete lineup. Apparently, the new 9.7-inch variant will serve as the entry-level iPad Pro 2, carrying a current-gen A9X processor. On the other hand, the 10.5-inch will replace the smaller iPad Pro's place as the above-average version, and together with the original 12.9-inch dimension, serves as the top-tier lineup for the iPad Pro 2. Both versions will reportedly carry the newer A10X chipsets.
With the early 2017 release of the three iterations for the iPad Pro 2, rumors also suggest that Apple is shifting is focus on its tablet lineup. Allegedly, with the addition of the new iPad Pro 2 variant, the Cupertino-based tech giant will make the iPad Pro 2 the all-encompassing tablet series for the company, and will discontinue the iPad Air series.
