10.2-Inch iPad Said to Launch in the Fall as Successor to 9.7-Inch iPad

[jerryk]

What sense does it make to drop the Air? You don’t see any room for something in between a $299 budget model and a spare-no-expense $799 iPad Pro? Interesting.

How is that—in any way whatsoever—a good thing for iPad buyers? If you don’t have 800 bucks to drop your stuck with a bottom of the line iPad with a budget screen?

Yikes, no thanks. Good/better/best at $299/499/799 is a much better lineup. $299/799 would be a disaster.

Nope put the A12 (now an older chip process and likely getting max yields so costs are lower) into the 10.2 iPad and a new small (7-8") iPad. Kill off the production line for the A10 chip and enjoy the costs savings of shutting down a line.

Kill off the iPad Air line in the same way the MacBook line was killed off for more costs savings. An alternative could be rebrand the systems running the A12 chips as "Air" and kill off the iPad alone name leaving you with the exact same naming convention for iPads and MacBooks. That is, "Air" means for consumers. "Pro" means for professionals "cough, cough".

Pricing could be 349-99 for the new 10.2 iPad (Air) and then a price gap to the "Pro" models.

 

[ghanwani]

Are bent iPads still "by design"? Will they be using the same design?

 

[ryanwarsaw]

So we’ll have a 10.2 inch iPad, 10.5 inch iPad, 11 inch iPad, and 13 inch iPad. Not confusing at all.

When you add prices to the list it is much less confusing.

 

[iAssimilated]

I am surprised they want to keep it at all, as iPad Air 3 (10.5”) offers a much better price/quality solution, imo.

As stated before, the entry level iPad is for school districts (or users on a budget). If Apple got rid of this model they would kiss K-12 classroom purchases good-bye. Which they are not going to do. Or to put it in terms of dollars: $329 vs. $499 (and I am not even including the educational discount).

 

[ryanwarsaw]

Right, so let’s give Apple a pass (& let them become mediocre) because of yearly price increases which you know are coming anyway.

Also, this doesn’t just apply to the iPad - it’s all their products - coming in different sizes... different colors. These are cosmetic changes. What about all new products? You could say Apple Watch was their latest product, but that is 5 years ago... What is sickening is to see Apple kill off products in development - like the Apple Television and the charging mat (am I forgetting one?)...and maybe the car next?

I don't think Apple becoming better or mediocre is with in your spear of influence or what you type here. Whether you give a pass or not Apple is going to Apple.

 

[Footynutguy]

If this really is the year of accessibility updates then please add wireless charging.

 

[sracer]

So we’ll have a 10.2 inch iPad, 10.5 inch iPad, 11 inch iPad, and 13 inch iPad. Not confusing at all.

When the 10.2 inch iPad is released, they will discontinue the Air 3.

 

[nutmac]

And thus cannibalise the iPad Pro range...

Why on earth would they do this?

If people are spending more than twice as much for iPad Pro ($329 vs. $799), there has to be more compelling reasons than USB-C and support for Apple Pencil 2, such as the need for higher performance, Face ID, larger and better screen, speakers, and compatibility with Smart Keyboard.

 

[smulji]

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A small and a big standard iPad, then a bigger and bigger again Pro model, makes sense to me, so long as they drop the 10.5” model.

In this context, it would make sense

 

[gnomeisland]

You forgot the 7.9” iPad mini.

In all seriousness, they should make it a clear lineup:

iPad (10.2”)
iPad Air (7.9”, 10.5”)
iPad Pro (11”, 12.9”)

Maybe a bit much, but 3 models with some choices aren’t all that bad. From low cost, to thin and light, to more powerful with newest features.

But seriously why the distinction between 10.2 and 10.5? That seems so arbitrary and creates unnecessary fragmentation. The screen size itself isn't enough of a differentiator so there must be something else going on here.

My *guess* is the 10.2" iPad is actually a 10" (rounded down) OLED iPad (Pro?). Hear me out: One thing we know for certain is that Apple owes Samsung for a OLED screens it never needed/used for iPhones. We also know that Samsung has a 10" OLED screen they are using in their own iPad competitor. Ergo, Apple is buying these iPad sized screen to settle their agreement with Samsung. I'm just not sure where/how such a model would be positioned. Going by the Samsung specs, the resolution is different, the size is different, and it would lack ProMotion. Would it be a "pro" or an alternative to the Air?

 

[smulji]

I do agree that the 10.5" is out of place considering we have an 11" and 12.9" sizes.

Apple should streamline the consumer models to the following and keeping it whole:

Consumer iPad 8" and 10"

Pro iPad 11" and 13"

The consumer 8" and 10" will replace the present Mini and budget iPad with a 2" display size difference and the Pro line offers a 11" and 13" with the same 2" display size difference. A Pro iPad Mini makes no sense as it is too small to be a productive device. What would be welcomed is FaceID on all devices and just drop the "Pro" designation for tablets, what next a "Pro" iPhone.

This is a much better way of going about it.

 

[fhall1]

PSA! That insignificant screen size increase from 9.7 to 10.2 means you give up free Microsoft Office.

Came here to say exactly this...

 

[PastaPrimav]

So we’ll have a 10.2 inch iPad, 10.5 inch iPad, 11 inch iPad, and 13 inch iPad. Not confusing at all.

Who exactly is confused by it?

Not any consumer actually buying the products, that's for sure. Only people on the internet thinking they need to memorize these dimensions.

 

[ondert]

I expect A12 chip because the mini uses A12 too and the 2018 model has A10 chip when the A11 was the high end one, also fully laminated screen in quite similar chassis. Laminated screen should come now ffs, even iPad mini 4 from 2015 has the laminated screen. These two must be feasible with the current price tag I guess.

 

[JohnWhitesideii]

I just want a non pro iPad with FaceID and smaller bezels.

 

[manu chao]

What yearly price increase? The $2,399 MBP that hasn’t had a price increase in three years? The $1,799 or $1,299 MBP that also haven’t had any increases in three years? Same with iMacs. Maybe you mean the $50 price increase for a much better Mac mini?

When there have been 'yearly' price increases, Apple has often added new, cheaper models below it. The base price for 'the most current' iPad did increase from $499 (2010 through 2014, ie, up to the iPad Air 2) to $599 (2016, 9.7" iPad Pro), to $649 (2017, 10.5" iPad Pro), to $799 (2018, 11" iPad Pro) but Apple added the base iPad 9.7" for $329 in 2017 and the 10.5" iPad Air for $499 in 2019 below it.

Of course, even before, they sold the iPad 2 for several years at a reduced price (2012 through 2014) and the 4th gen iPad for one year (2013 to 2014) and the iPad Air (2014 to 2016) and Air 2 (2016 to 2017).
[doublepost=1564681627][/doublepost]

But seriously why the distinction between 10.2 and 10.5? That seems so arbitrary and creates unnecessary fragmentation. The screen size itself isn't enough of a differentiator so there must be something else going on here.

And the distinction between 10.5" and 11" isn't arbitrary (iPad Air vs iPad Pro)?

Well, the reason it isn't arbitrary is that the space needed for TouchID (and a symmetrical top bezel) is what makes the new Air's screen smaller (with the chassis size somewhat fixed by the keyboard case size) than that of the 11" iPad Pro.

 

[QCassidy352]

My wish for this product is fairly modest:

• 10.2-inch screen
• Bump to A11 or A12 processor
• Replace Lightning with USB-C
• Support for Apple Pencil 2

1) yes
2) yes
3) no, Apple has said they consider that a pro feature, and it would put the entry level model ahead of the Air, which is more expensive
4) again, not on the Air so can’t see it on the base model at 2/3 the price

 

[gnomeisland]

When there have been 'yearly' price increases, Apple has often added new, cheaper models below it. The base price for 'the most current' iPad did increase from $499 (2010 through 2014, ie, up to the iPad Air 2) to $599 (2016, 9.7" iPad Pro), to $649 (2017, 10.5" iPad Pro), to $799 (2018, 11" iPad Pro) but Apple added the base iPad 9.7" for $329 in 2017 and the 10.5" iPad Air for $499 in 2019 below it.

Of course, even before, they sold the iPad 2 for several years at a reduced price (2012 through 2014) and the 4th gen iPad for one year (2013 to 2014) and the iPad Air (2014 to 2016) and Air 2 (2016 to 2017).
[doublepost=1564681627][/doublepost]
And the distinction between 10.5" and 11" isn't arbitrary (iPad Air vs iPad Pro)?

Well, the reason it isn't arbitrary is that the space needed for TouchID (and a symmetrical top bezel) is what makes the new Air's screen smaller (with the chassis size somewhat fixed by the keyboard case size) than that of the 11" iPad Pro.

You . . . just made a counter point and your own rebuttal? Exactly, the move to 11 from 10.5 wasn't arbitrary. Likewise the move from 9.7 to 10.5 wasn't (totally) arbitrary as they wanted to keep the same size chassis (keyboard/usability reasons) but with newer tech they could make the screen bigger. My point is that the iPad sub-ecosystem is already very fragmented what would be gained by creating a screen that splits the already small difference between 9.7 & 10.5? Especially considering Apple's commitment to that overall device size?

If the screen is an LCD what is the gained by not increasing the screen .3"? No consumer is going to notice that difference and it create more hassle for developers in and outside of Apple. Of course it isn't impossible that Apple is creating another iPad screen size to segment the market, but it seems more probable the screen size is a function of some other design/supply constraint. Like OLED.

 

[rumz]

This seems very questionable. One of Apple's primary market for their low cost iPads is Education. Well, Education has already bought their iPads for the 2019-2020 school year. It won't be until early 2020 that they start looking at their next purchases. That is why the low cost iPads have typically been released in the March/April time Fram.

Partly I agree. On the other hand, it's good timing if they want to move these during the holidays.

 

[diamornte]

Right, so let’s give Apple a pass (& let them become mediocre) because of yearly price increases which you know are coming anyway.

I don't think Apple becoming better or mediocre is with in your spear of influence or what you type here. Whether you give a pass or not Apple is going to Apple.

That's what you think.
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What yearly price increase? The $2,399 MBP that hasn’t had a price increase in three years? The $1,799 or $1,299 MBP that also haven’t had any increases in three years? Same with iMacs. Maybe you mean the $50 price increase for a much better Mac mini? I guess you’re not talking about the price cuts for the HomePod or MacBook Air.

Since the innovative iPhone and then iPad, Apple’s introduced the innovative AirPods, Watch and HomePod. New product categories come when they come. Apple killing off the AirPower is sickening? Ummm, ok. So take some Pepto Bismal, take a couple weeks off school and spend it in bed. You’ll get get over it eventually... probably.

You sound like someone who only started to like apple over the past 3 years.... Their price increases have been incremental, and unseen to those with short attention spans.

 

[manu chao]

You . . . just made a counter point and your own rebuttal? Exactly, the move to 11 from 10.5 wasn't arbitrary. Likewise the move from 9.7 to 10.5 wasn't (totally) arbitrary as they wanted to keep the same size chassis (keyboard/usability reasons) but with newer tech they could make the screen bigger. My point is that the iPad sub-ecosystem is already very fragmented what would be gained by creating a screen that splits the already small difference between 9.7 & 10.5? Especially considering Apple's commitment to that overall device size?

If the screen is an LCD what is the gained by not increasing the screen .3"? No consumer is going to notice that difference and it create more hassle for developers in and outside of Apple. Of course it isn't impossible that Apple is creating another iPad screen size to segment the market, but it seems more probable the screen size is a function of some other design/supply constraint. Like OLED.

There two ways to see this, your way and the way that like the change to from 9.7" to 10.5" and from there to 11" had good reasons, the change to 10.2" will also have good reason, we just don't know them yet.

 

[PickUrPoison]

You sound like someone who only started to like apple over the past 3 years.... Their price increases have been incremental, and unseen to those with short attention spans.

Instead of insulting me, why not present a counter argument?

You’re the one who was whining about “yearly price increases which you know are coming”. I gave you many examples of products that didn’t have yearly price increases, now it’s your turn. Prove your point.

 

[smulji]

But seriously why the distinction between 10.2 and 10.5? That seems so arbitrary and creates unnecessary fragmentation. The screen size itself isn't enough of a differentiator so there must be something else going on here.

My *guess* is the 10.2" iPad is actually a 10" (rounded down) OLED iPad (Pro?). Hear me out: One thing we know for certain is that Apple owes Samsung for a OLED screens it never needed/used for iPhones. We also know that Samsung has a 10" OLED screen they are using in their own iPad competitor. Ergo, Apple is buying these iPad sized screen to settle their agreement with Samsung. I'm just not sure where/how such a model would be positioned. Going by the Samsung specs, the resolution is different, the size is different, and it would lack ProMotion. Would it be a "pro" or an alternative to the Air?

"Would it be a "pro" or an alternative to the Air?"

Interesting theory which could work if it is a REPLACEMENT to the current iPad Air.

 

[Icaras]

I think this whole iPad mess is going to burst soon. Too many models to sustain. Somethings got to give at this point.

And for that, I would like to see the iPad and iPad Air lines merge and become one product line. The 10.2” size is the perfect medium between the two to do just that. They could also interchange the prices between the iPad mini and the new iPad Air for cleaner distinction between product lines. So basically:

$329 iPad mini
$399-$429 iPad Air
$699-$799 iPad Pro

Simple. Clean. Streamlined.

 

[akfgpuppet]

Hopefully the price stays the same.