Second Source Claims Apple Will Launch 10.5-inch iPad in 2017

[MacRumors]

A report from the Taiwanese supply chain emerged overnight claiming Apple will release a 10.5-inch "education and enterprise" tablet as part of its iPad line-up next year (via DigiTimes). The 10.5-inch iPad is said to be equipped with Apple's A10X processor, also expected in next year's refreshed line-up, with production slated to begin next month.

Apple is launching the 10.5-inch iPad mainly because 10-inch and larger tablets have been popular among enterprises and the education sector in the US, the sources said. Its existing 9.7-inch iPad may be too small and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro too expensive for such procurement, the sources indicated.

A number of claims have emerged recently suggesting Apple plans to extend its iPad line-up with a new tablet dimension in the 10-inch range. Earlier this month, Barclays analysts claimed Apple will release a bezel-free 10.9-inch model alongside refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPads, citing its own supply chain sources, while in October Japanese website Mac Otakara said a new 10.1-inch iPad Pro would launch in early 2017.

However, today's report marks the second independent source to suggest Apple plans to introduce a 10.5-inch mid-tier iPad. In August, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the same thing and earmarked the same A10X processor for the tablet, suggesting there may be more substance to this particular rumor.

In addition, Kuo claimed Apple will also launch lower-price versions of the 9.7-inch iPad. Today's sources corroborate that claim also, citing Apple's apparent intention "to compete with Android models".

Shipments of the rumored 10.5-inch iPad are expected to reach two million units in the first quarter of 2017 and may reach 5 to 6 million units in the year, DigiTimes sources said.

More "revolutionary" changes to iPads, including a switch to OLED displays, are expected in 2018, according to Kuo's earlier report.

Article Link: Second Source Claims Apple Will Launch 10.5-inch iPad in 2017

 

[Chicane-UK]

EXCELLENT. We just don't have enough iPads available already. Well worth sidelining the Mac Pro and other desktop Macs for this. Good work, Apple.

That's sarcasm by the way.

 

[rudychidiac]

So the 10.5" iPad will have a new form factor with bezel-less design? I hope other iPads get that too

 

[AdonisSMU]

Good that the iPads are finally taking over where the MacBooks left off.

 

[Mr. News]

A report from the Taiwanese supply chain emerged overnight claiming Apple will release a 10.5-inch "education and enterprise" tablet as part of its iPad line-up next year (via DigiTimes). The 10.5-inch iPad is said to be equipped with Apple's A10X processor, also found in the current 12.9-inch iPad Pro, with production slated to begin next month.

A number of claims have emerged recently suggesting Apple plans to extend its iPad line-up with a new tablet dimension in the 10-inch range. Earlier this month, Barclays analysts claimed Apple will release a bezel-free 10.9-inch model alongside refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPads, citing its own supply chain sources, while in October Japanese website Mac Otakara said a new 10.1-inch iPad Pro would launch in early 2017.

However, today's report marks the second independent source to suggest Apple plans to introduce a 10.5-inch mid-tier iPad. In August, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the same thing and earmarked the same A10X processor for the tablet, suggesting there may be more substance to this particular rumor.

In addition, Kuo claimed Apple will also launch lower-price versions of the 9.7-inch iPad. Today's sources corroborate that claim also, citing Apple's apparent intention "to compete with Android models".

Shipments of the rumored 10.5-inch iPad are expected to reach two million units in the first quarter of 2017 and may reach 5 to 6 million units in the year, DigiTimes sources said.

More "revolutionary" changes to iPads, including a switch to OLED displays, are expected in 2018, according to Kuo's earlier report.

Article Link: Second Source Claims Apple Will Launch 10.5-inch iPad in 2017

Correction: The iPad Pro 12.9" is equipped with the A9X SOC.

 

[oldmacs]

Ok Apple - I want to buy a new iPad next year. All I ask for is A) around the same size as a 9.7 inch iPad B) The same specs in RAM/GPU/CPU as the Pro 12.9 C) A proper home button and D) Headphone port. C is probably the least important given I use the multitasking gestures most of the time.

If not.. Maybe I can stretch my iPad 2 into 2018???

 

[Mikkis]

As long as the OS is what it is the new hardware is quite irrelevant.

 

[Shirasaki]

Well done.
9.7", 12.9", 10.5" iPad.

Next year we will also see 4.7", 5.5", 5.8" iPhone.

Wait, 12.9" is too expensive? Yeah, but how 10.5" can be cheaper?

 

[taptic]

So there will be four sizes? Really Apple?

 

[Matt Leaf]

By too expensive they mean "nobody wants an iPad Pro".

 

[timmyh]

Correction: The iPad Pro 12.9" is equipped with the A9X SOC.

Thanks, that was meant to say next year's 12.9-inch iPad. Edited.

 

[timber]

I could see this 10,5 replacing the 9,7 (they could probably make them the same or similar exterior size)

The 9,7 retina has being going for several iPad generations, Apple may change it or make it the same as the 12 as they did with the Mini and the 9,7.

 

[caskin8a]

This is pretty much the nightmare headline for the anti-IBM Apple loyalists from years gone by.

Apple putting out tailored versions for enterprise needs all to protect this unsustainable growth. Kinda sad.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

I want an updated 12.9 inch iPad Pro. Come to pappa...

 

[Nimrad]

Pro, regular and Mini. That's enough. Feel free to change the sizes, but simplicity is NOT achieved through segmenting.

 

[dilbert99]

Apple is launching the 10.5-inch iPad mainly because 10-inch and larger tablets have been popular among enterprises and the education sector in the US, the sources said. Its existing 9.7-inch iPad may be too small and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro too expensive for such procurement, the sources indicated.

What 10"+ tablets have they been buying?

 

[sofila]

OS is the key. There's plenty of horsepower already. And whatever improving (already good) battery life any further.

 

[redheeler]

Yet another move that would make Apple's current lineup more reminiscent of the 90's than ever. My suggestion is replace the 9.7" with a 10.5" + slimmed bezels, make it a lower price, and stop the crazy fragmentation.

 

[zombierunner]

oh no .... rip ipad mini

 

[oldmacs]

Yet another move that would make Apple's current lineup more reminiscent of the 90's than ever. My suggestion is replace the 9.7" with a 10.5" + slimmed bezels, make it the same price, and stop the crazy fragmentation.

The only reason that there is a 10.5 inch iPad and a 9.7 inch is so that Apple can have higher margins. They used to be able to offer the best specs in the normal 9.7 inch model, now they only offer it in the Pro and charge more.

 

[576316]

Hmm, this seems like it was unnecessarily fragment the iPad line up. I use an iPad mini 4 for all my lecture notes, as it's always been the most comfortable size of iPad for me - having also owned a 9.7" iPad in the past. Honestly, even 9.7" feels too big and the two Pro variants are too expensive for most students. Can't see how this would fit the student market any better.

Although I can see them discontinuing the iPad mini at some point, which is sad. As I said, it's always been the best size in my eyes.

 

[elmaco]

Let me guess, it will be outrageously priced. That's the real problem - not the size.

I can buy a Smart TV with a 32" screen from Best Buy for $190, but this 10.5" iPad will probably cost $700.

It would be nice with a light weight and larger iPad that can be used for reading magazines and newspapers, but Apple need to drop the price in half, $350 and include 12 month subscription to Readly. It would be a nice Christmas Gift.

The first iPad cost $500 when the dollar was weak (2010-2011). $700 and a strong dollar is basically twice as much. You expect prices to drop over time for electronics. In Apple's case, it seems only the margins increase.

Jobs understood that at least one of the products needs to be cheap, so people get to try the Apple ecosystem, which will drive sales of other products.

 

[Aussi3]

I really like the 12.9 heaps better then 9.7 I wouldn't be able to get any less anymore lol

 

[redheeler]

The only reason that there is a 10.5 inch iPad and a 9.7 inch is so that Apple can have higher margins. They used to be able to offer the best specs in the normal 9.7 inch model, now they only offer it in the Pro and charge more.

I was mainly referring to the iPad Pro line. Having 7.9" iPad mini + 9.7" iPad Air + 9.7" iPad Pro + 12.9" iPad Pro is already very fragmented; but if the smaller Pro is made slightly larger and iPad Air is given a refresh but stays the same screen size, that would at least stop things from getting worse.

 

[oopsroger]

Dear Apple,
Changing size won't matter.
Your loyal customers

In all seriousness, when the new 9.7 iPad came out, I had some urge to get it, cos my old iPad (see signature) is just painfully slow. At the end of the day, I did not get one. Life is uninterrupted. The old iPad just gets phased out. Although sometimes the iPad works better than the laptop or iPhone, it is not essential.