10.5-Inch iPad Pro 3D Renderings Include Three Microphones and Thinner 7mm Side Bezels

[MacRumors]

After posting a few images yesterday that claimed to show cases for the upcoming 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, Benjamin Geskin has now shared a few CAD images, dummy models, and renderings of the 10.5-inch iPad model. The first set of computer-aided design drawings are based on the model that case manufacturers have received from the factory, which Geskin said is "already in mass production."

The new iPad images align with all of the port cutouts seen in yesterday's wooden accessory case, including a device that has four speakers, a Lightning port, camera with vertically-aligned flash, side volume rockers, and a Smart Connector.

Yesterday's case images also revealed a new microphone slot located at the top rear of the case, similar to where it's located on the current 9.7-inch iPad. The new images confirm that microphone slot on the 10.5-inch iPad, along with two additional microphones sitting atop the device in between the speaker grilles, pointing towards three microphones total for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

Last year it was rumored that the new iPad model with smaller bezels -- which fluctuated between 10.1-inch, 10.5-inch, and 10.9-inch display sizes -- could get four microphones.

Geskin has also shared a case manufacturer's dummy mockup of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, which continues showing the same ports for volume buttons, 3.5mm headphone jack, speaker grilles, Lightning port, SIM card tray, and Smart Connector. All of the images support the rumors that the new iPad will pack in a 10.5-inch display into the same form factor and nearly identical size of the 9.7-inch iPad.

In a series of images shared with iDropNews, Geskin designed a rendering based on the recent rumors to show how the bezels on the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro might look. Since the device will keep roughly the same footprint of the 9.7-inch iPad, the rendering boasts a device with small 7mm bezels on the left and right sides of the device and around 19mm bezels on the top and bottom.

The upcoming 10.5-inch iPad (left) compared to the current 9.7-inch iPad (right)​

This would make the display space big enough for the new 10.5-inch screen, while allocating enough room for the traditional Home Button, which Apple isn't expected to do away with yet on the upcoming iPad Pro. The 10.5-inch device is also expected to be slightly taller than the current 9.7-inch iPad, while potentially being slightly thicker than the 9.7-inch iPad's 6.1mm thickness.

A rendering of the 10.5-inch iPad​

In regards to a release date, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently said that there is a greater than 70 percent chance of Apple debuting the 10.5-inch iPad at WWDC in June. Although WWDC keynotes are traditionally the home of software announcements, even updates to the MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air are rumored to be coming at the event this year.

Article Link: 10.5-Inch iPad Pro 3D Renderings Include Three Microphones and Thinner 7mm Side Bezels

 

[Appleaker]

It will be 6.4mm thick, and I wouldn't be too sure of the bezel size. I am hoping for this but based off my information, it would be more like this:


They originally planned to have 4 microphones, but the original designs kept current microphone positions while adding the new microphone array (as per my post a few months ago). This design with 2 on the top is much cleaner and I that's what we'll see.

 

[Sunny1990]

Wait!! it still includes a "headphone jack" i am in

 

[jacobh101]

If this thing ships with a headphone jack I am going to flip out.

 

[izyreal]

I don't see a use case for an iPad anymore. I can get a laptop's functionality in a device nearly the same size.

 

[Oohara]

Comparison shot with the 12.9 iPad Pro would be cool!

 

[rudychidiac]

I expected a more drastic redesign (I wish they would get rid of the chamfered edges)

 

[Tapiture]

I had a feeling it wouldn't be bezel-less. Looks good though, can't wait to see what they do with the new size in 2018. Not worth upgrading from a 9.7 pro though.

 

[Wiesenlooser]

The problem with the iPad is not the hardware. The iPad is great as it is. The problem is the sofware and a new shiny device is not going to fix that.

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt either. But they have to invest the same amount of energy into the software.

 

[MrGimper]

So, new Smart Keyboard and covers required then.....

 

[jamesrick80]

if it looks like that...thats not redesigned enough for my taste.....

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Weight is going to be the X factor here. Apple needs to trim it back down to the original Air's weight. Would love it to go down to the Mini's weight.

I don't see a use case for an iPad anymore. I can get a laptop's functionality in a device nearly the same size.

Yes, but you can't use a laptop during takeoff or landing -- those periods can be 20 min on both sides of the flight. Especially significant for short flights of 2hr or less which is many on the east coast. Also kind of awkward to curl up with a laptop a sofa or bed to read or browse. And downright silly to use a laptop as a remote control. Also, at least for now, "hey sir" doesn't work with Mac and Siri on Mac doesn't work with HomeKit.

There are plenty of other use cases for the iPad too. Maybe none apply to your own workflow, but Apple still sells as nearly as many iPads as it does Macs. There is a use for them. They are not a Mac laptop subsitute or vice versa.

 

[Eggtastic]

As good as this looks, as cool as it is to use an iPad, I still prefer my 2016 rMB.

 

[JamesDo]

Normal iPad with smaller bezels and crap lcd display, the revolution.

 

[motulist]

Larger screen with a faster processor is exactly what I've been hoping for. My iPad pro 9.7 has been great, but I need more CPU power and screen real estate.

 

[LordQ]

I expected no bezels at all and no home button. Pass.

 

[_Refurbished_]

"....while potentially being slightly thicker than the 9.7-inch iPad's 6.1mm thickness."

I'll pass.

I'm waiting for a razor thin, super light iPad....not a bigger iPad with reduced bezels. While the iPad Air/2/Pros of the world are not "thick" by any means, they can stand to call 1-800-94Jenny. I'll be sticking with my iPad Air for a few more years if this is true.

This must be karma for all those years that I complained about Apple's attachment to "thinness" .

 

[jamesrick80]

Weight is going to be the X factor here. Apple needs to trim it back down to the original Air's weight. Would love it to go down to the Mini's weight.




Yes, but you can't use a laptop during takeoff or landing -- those periods can be 20 min on both sides of the flight. Especially significant for short flights of 2hr or less which is many on the east coast. Also kind of awkward to curl up with a laptop a sofa or bed to read or browse. And downright silly to use a laptop as a remote control. Also, at least for now, "hey sir" doesn't work with Mac and Siri on Mac doesn't work with HomeKit.

There are plenty of other use cases for the iPad too. Maybe none apply to your own workflow, but Apple still sells as nearly as many iPads as it does Macs. There is a use for them. They are not a Mac laptop subsitute or vice versa.

With your logic, just purchase a Kindle Fire then....same use cases.....

 

[Appleaker]

"....while potentially being slightly thicker than the 9.7-inch iPad's 6.1mm thickness."

I'll pass.

I'm waiting for a razor thin, super light iPad....not a bigger iPad with reduced bezels. While the iPad Air/2/Pros of the world are not "thick" by any means, they can stand to call 1-800-94Jenny. I'll be sticking with my iPad Air for a few more years if this is true.

Are you joking? It will of course be thinner than the Air, but thicker than the Air 2. Not enough to refuse considering it in my opinion.
[doublepost=1495546856][/doublepost]

So, new Smart Keyboard and covers required then.....

Yes but that's a good thing as it means they can improve the keyboard which is currently quite cramped (in terms of getting all keys on there) on the 9.7" model.

 

[xgman]

No wonder ipad sales are declining. If it looks like this it won't do much to change that. Apple is afraid to go bold. It's getting boring.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

With your logic, just purchase a Kindle Fire then....same use cases.....

With my logic? I think it's your's that isn't thinking it through. I only named a few uses. You can't edit a short video on a Kindle. You can't modify a PDF on a Kindle. Drawing complex graphics not possible on a Kindle. Editing photos in the bush or anywhere else not happening on a Kindle.

So broaden your imagination a bit and when other say to the effect "there are other use scenarios they didn't list" for brevity think that out before bringing out the carving knife. You'll look smarter in the end.

 

[_Refurbished_]

Are you joking? It will of course be thinner than the Air, but thicker than the Air 2. Not enough to refuse considering it in my opinion.
[doublepost=1495546856][/doublepost]
Yes but that's a good thing as it means they can improve the keyboard which is currently quite cramped (in terms of getting all keys on there) on the 9.7" model.

I am not joking. I don't want a bigger iPad. I want a redesigned, smaller iPad with the same screen size. Enough to refuse consideration, as I'm quite happy with my Air. Moving along...

 

[Tapiture]

if it looks like that...thats not redesigned enough for my taste.....

I don't know why people expected this to be some radical redesign. Apple doesn't do that anymore. They slowly update design to stretch out updates. 2018 iPads will be more of a change. Unfortunately I think a lot of people have a hollow feeling after holding off on buying a 9.7 IPP.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

No wonder ipad sales are declining. If it looks like this it won't do much to change that. Apple is afraid to go bold. It's getting boring.

Agree to a degree. But we don't know the functionality of the iOS that will run on this. It might very well be Apple pre-announces this at WWDC to give devs a head start because of a reimagined OS for iPad. Not saying it will happen, but we can't make a conclusion one way or another.

But if it is the same old OS and just a bigger screen, lovely as it may be. That will be a hard case to upgrade unless you have an older iPad. That won't save iPad sales from further dips though, correct. Apple does need to make a leap from being a more advanced iPhone to something more between the iPhone and Mac.

I'm not "bored" with the iPad -- I have specific uses for mine which are indispensable. It's a tool just like a drill. Drills are not exciting either, yet important. But how often do you need to buy a new drill? Once ever decade maybe?

 

[Appleaker]

I am not joking. I don't want a bigger iPad. I want a redesigned, smaller iPad with the same screen size. Enough to refuse consideration, as I'm quite happy with my Air. Moving along...

I understand the issue of size but you said you wanted a thinner iPad. I think in the future we'll see that in order for the 9.7" to take over the space of the mini.
I feel the same way for the iPhone, I think a 4.7" iPhone with no bezels would be great for SE and 7 users.
The 10.5" screen makes more sense from an iPad pro perspective as the width is the same as the iPad mini screen height, as is the resolution - resulting in 326ppi.