Three New iPads Said to Launch in March, Including Bezel-Free 10.9-Inch Model

[MacRumors]

Apple will launch a trio of new iPad Pro models in March, including refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions and an all-new bezel-free 10.9-inch model, according to Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O'Malley, and Jerry Zhang, citing sources within the company's Asian supply chain.

In a research note obtained by MacRumors, the analysts said the 10.9-inch model's borderless design will allow for it to be the same physical size as the current-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro. That means the display itself will need to have an edge-to-edge design, possibly signaling the removal of the Home button.

Multiple rumors have claimed Apple is developing a new iPad in the 10-inch range, but the exact screen size has varied in each report. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro will launch in 2017, while Japanese website Mac Otakara said a new 10.1-inch iPad Pro will launch in early 2017.

Barclays, like Kuo, expects the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro to be a "low-cost" model alongside the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which the analysts do not believe will be refreshed alongside the larger tablets. Instead, the research note said Apple will continue to produce and sell the iPad mini 4, released in September 2015.

Mac Otakara previously said the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature a True Tone display like its current 9.7-inch counterpart, using advanced four-channel ambient light sensors to automatically adapt the color and intensity of the display to match the light in the surrounding environment.

That report said all three new iPad Pro models will gain quad microphones, compared to the current dual setup, and retain 3.5mm headphone jacks.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also said to gain the 9.7-inch model's same 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and True Tone flash.

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

Article Link: Three New iPads Said to Launch in March, Including Bezel-Free 10.9-Inch Model

 

[japanime]

And they'll all undoubtedly be priced $150 higher than the current models.

 

[SMIDG3T]

Are we really supposed to believe bankers? I can think of another word they are more known by...

 

[Solomani]

3 models, easy to remember tiers:

Mini

Midi

and the MaxiPad

 

[vseera]

And they'll all undoubtedly be priced $150 higher than the current models.

Sorry, no. In the UK, they will be priced higher than £300 over the current iPads.

 

[boast]

What about non-Pro? I would prefer a cheaper one with no pencil support.

 

[magicschoolbus]

my air is feeling slow..

torn between a new iPad or the macbook.

 

[Eggtastic]

my air is feeling slow..

torn between a new iPad or the macbook.

Same here. However the coolness of the bezeless might wear off compared to having macOS.

 

[Born Again]

it's just not innovative. Unless apple has an ipad version of iOS many of us will sit these new versions out.

we just dont need a big iphone.

 

[awer25]

What about non-Pro? I would prefer a cheaper one with no pencil support.

Apple no longer follows user preferences. There will only be a Pro model, and it will be $150 more.

 

[Andres Cantu]

What about the Mac mini and Mac Pro? They're in desperate need of updates!

 

[44267547]

I'll wait until March before upgrading. I was interested in the 9.7 Pro. If Apple can implement 3D Touch into one of the models, consider me sold.

 

[Gorms]

I'm fairly certain these analysts are literally just repeating the rumours they've read on this site. There is absolutely new information in either of these posts.

No chance the home button goes on these if released in March though. It would be very strange for Apple to release something with such huge developer facing changes literally weeks before WWDC

 

[nwcs]

Maybe they'll surprise us with an iPhone SE2 since they did that last year? iPads are interesting but the novelty has worn off for me for the most part. If they did a bezel-less iPad mini retaining the same screen but reduced bezel that would be nice. I'd like one to be closer to a Kindle Voyage size. And, for pete's sake, Apple can't you come up with a design that makes the iPad comfortable to actually hold for any length of time. Reading on an iPad is torture unless you have something to prop it up for you.

 

[BMcCoy]

I always laugh at any story about Apple products that suggests a "low-cost" model..!

 

[Dwalls90]

Do we really need 4 different iPad screen sizes? Not to mention, we have 3 screen sizes now, but 5 iPad models to choose from, before considering 3/4 colors, 3 capacities, and 2 connectivity options.

It's starting to seem a lot like Android devices, except with hardware, not software, fragmentation.

 

[ike1707]

it's just not innovative. Unless apple has an ipad version of iOS many of us will sit these new versions out.

we just dont need a big iphone.

I will assume you meant macOS..?

 

[JustaTecho]

What about non-Pro? I would prefer a cheaper one with no pencil support.

Ah geez, now the pro's are gonna start complaining again... Lol sorry pro's feel free to commence as needed.

 

[LordQ]

I'm all in for a bezel-free, continuous pill-shaped iPad.

 

[dantastic]

Oooh, nice. Wonder how many dongles you'll need for it

 

[vseera]

And, for pete's sake, Apple can't you come up with a design that makes the iPad comfortable to actually hold for any length of time. Reading on an iPad is torture unless you have something to prop it up for you.

Jony Ive: "So are you saying...that the iPad...is not thin enough?" *runs off to cut away all the battery and functionality of an iPad and releases a sheet of aluminium*

 

[richpjr]

I guess they only have so much courage as the new iPads, just like the new MBPs, still have a headphone jack.

 

[WRChris]

it's just not innovative. Unless apple has an ipad version of iOS many of us will sit these new versions out.

we just dont need a big iphone.

Agreed, but it's closer to a blown up iPod touch. It needs full OS X support. I'm not calling it macOS ever.

 

[fokmik]

Wtf?!? An 10.9"bezel free is like the 9.7" shape wih no bezels. It could be the same product

 

[Fall Under Cerulean Kites]

It’ll be interesting to see how Apple handles inadvertant touches along the edges of the device. With no bezel, there’s not “safe” place to grip the device while holding it. The OS will have to determine what’s a deliberite touch vs indiscriminate touch.