Yes, I was beginning to suspect that myself. It would make some sense of the rumours, as it would seem very odd to have a bezel-free 10.5" Pro model plus an updated 12.9" Pro model with bezels.
Some have speculated that the supply chain largely only knows about components and much less about the size of the slab of aluminium and therefore a 10.5" iPad (in the existing 9.7"-iPad body size) could be accompanied with a 12.9" iPad with reduced bezels as well.
Who needed two different 9.7" iPad models (as they have existed since the release of the 3rd-gen iPad)? What Apple is doing here is to differentiate the two price points per size class more by updating both price points and a small size difference instead of just keeping last years model around. Already before the recent update, the price differential between between the two 9.7" iPad offerings had widened from $100 to $200.
Limited, staggered release, wide-spread rumours about a March event that don't materialise would be consistent with production issues that changed/delayed plans.
If, yes, if. But not when it gets an A10X. Do you remember the story that the 12.9" iPad was supposed to ship before the iPhone 6s and was thus planned to have an A8X. But as the 12.9" iPad ship date slipped, the chip design group was given the task/challenge to get an A9X ready for October/November 2015. This switch of processor is an officially confirmed story.
And looking at the bezels, the iPad mini already has noticeably thinner bezels than the 9.7" (or 12.9") iPad.
The Steve would not approve is old now, and how would you know? Did you revive him from the grave to ask him?
The Pro range are niche products. I suspect we'll see a 2-3 year update cycle. The more mass market iPad ranges will probably stick to a 12-18 month upgrade cycle.
Oh, don't be silly now. How will the current Apple include FREE AirPods when they are still nickeling and diming every single bloody dongle?
