10.5-Inch and 12.9-Inch iPads May Not Ship Until May or June

[MacRumors]

The 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPads that Apple is expected to debut at a March event aren't expected to ship until May or June, supply chain sources tell DigiTimes. An entry-level 9.7-inch iPad, however, is expected to ship within close proximity of the March event.

In January, DigiTimes reported that the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPads were expected to enter mass production in the Q2 of 2017 while the 9.7-inch iPad would enter mass production in Q1 2017. The potential release dates partly line up with a recent report from Mac Otakara, which said the 10.5-inch iPad may not be ready to ship until May. However, that report said the three other iPad models rumored to debut at the March event, new 7.9-inch, 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPads, are expected to ship in March.

12.9-inch iPad shipments have been drying up around the world in recent weeks, slipping to shipping estimates of 2-3 weeks in the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany and Japan. While increasing shipping times are a sign of an impending refresh, in this case it seems to be a supply issue.

During Apple's latest earning call, CEO Tim Cook said that the company underestimated iPad demand in the past quarter and had an issue with one of its suppliers. Cook said the issue would probably not be resolved this quarter, likely leading to shriveling 12.9-inch iPad stock. Similarly, the supply issue could keep the refreshed 12.9-inch iPad from shipping before May.

The new 10.5-inch model is expected to be the flagship model in Apple's new iPad lineup, sporting an edge-to-edge display on the same footprint as the current 9.7-inch iPad. Alongside new iPads at a March event, Apple is also expected to debut a 128 GB iPhone SE and red iPhone 7 and 7 Plus color variations.

Article Link: 10.5-Inch and 12.9-Inch iPads May Not Ship Until May or June

 

[farewelwilliams]

"DigiTimes"

ugh...I rather read the "Tim Cook moving to Apple Park" article again.

 

[TSE]

If true, that will be really, really disappointing.

 

[btrach144]

iPad is dead

 

[dumastudetto]

I could not be more excited to get my hands on these new iPads. They will all be incredible.
[doublepost=1487914364][/doublepost]

iPad is dead

If iPad is dead, then computing is dead and we'll all be doing something else. iPad is without doubt the future of computing and Macs and Windows PC's as we know them will cease to exist soon.

 

[potatis]

couldn't there just be one iPad which can transform into all sizes

 

[cardfan]

Not exactly in a rush to go grab one. Sources say that may be a demand issue and probably won't be resolved this quarter..

 

[adamneer]

That's fine, I'm waiting for the 11.7" iPad, which is really the sweet spot in screen sizes.

 

[itsmilo]

I could not be more excited to get my hands on these new iPads. They will all be incredible.
[doublepost=1487914364][/doublepost]

If iPad is dead, then computing is dead and we'll all be doing something else. iPad is without doubt the future of computing and Macs and Windows PC's as we know them will cease to exist soon.

Hi Tim, is it you?

 

[MH01]

Tim seriously focus on your products and stop playing Apple's version of celebrity big brother winner.

It's not s Mac Pro.....you are announcing and launching 2-3 months later....it's an iPad....your bread and butter. Stop making political statements and make some business statements to your teams to get their act together and hit delivery timelines .

 

[Douglas B]

Good to know so we don't get our hopes up.

Even if the 10.5 is not ready it's good for Apple to announce it along with the other refreshed iPads. Otherwise people might buy a refreshed iPad and then only two months later a fancy 10.5 comes out - they'd feel pretty annoyed.

 

[coolbreeze]

Whew, gives me time to sell my 12.9" Pro before the "normies" realize there is a new model on the market.

Haven't used it much since getting a travel 12" rMacbook.

 

[MH01]

If iPad is dead, then computing is dead and we'll all be doing something else. iPad is without doubt the future of computing and Macs and Windows PC's as we know them will cease to exist soon.

Google trucks and cars, Steve jobs.

You sir just need a car, does not mean others do not need trucks. Steve knew this very well, This is beyond Tim...so he just "tries" to simplify the situation, though is very wrong. Macs and PCs are going nowhere.

 

[ErikGrim]

The new 10.5-inch model is expected to be the flagship model in Apple's new iPad lineup, sporting an edge-to-edge display on the same footprint as the current 9.7-inch iPad.

This is really looking to be the sweet spot for me to upgrade my original Air.

 

[Pbrutto]

Replace "may not ship" with "supply constraints at launch" and it's every Apple product released in the last 5 years. From airpods, to Apple Pencil, to beats X, to iPhone!

 

[5105973]

I could not be more excited to get my hands on these new iPads. They will all be incredible.

You plan on getting ALL of them?

I haven't decided yet. I need to see the final specs and be certain they all can work with the Apple Pencil.

Usually I stick with minis and probably will continue to do so if the specs are good. I have a Surface so I don't really need a huge iPad.

There is the possibility I won't upgrade at all.

 

[ThisBougieLife]

The iPad mini doesn't make sense anymore with the increasing sizes of the phones. Four iPad sizes is just goofy.

 

[jonnyb098]

iPad is dead

Selling tens of million every year.....over 200 million total.....sounds dead to me.

 

[dannyyankou]

The 10.5 inch iPad Pro doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over the 9.7 inch, besides having an edge to edge screen and being less than an inch bigger.

 

[kjvmartin]

The iPad mini doesn't make sense anymore with the increasing sizes of the phones. Four iPad sizes is just goofy.

Wife loves her mini and also has an iPhone 7. Doesn't want a 7 Plus, since it's too big for a pocket. Wants an iPad mini for travel, kids entertainment at restaurants/car, etc. The mini is the only iPad we would buy.

 

[MacDarcy]

I want to upgrade my iPad mini 3 to an iPad Pro. Hoping the rumors of a mini Pro are true. If not, I'll get the 10.5" when it comes out. March or May. It's all good. Just a couple months.

 

[citysnaps]

And life goes on for most

Still, many here will predictably get all frothed up with a major case of the shakes. Wah...

 

[pika2000]

Really itching to upgrade my aging mini 2. If Apple continues to treat the mini as a stepchild, I'll keep my mini 2.

 

[julesme]

Here's how you know the 10.5" is not close to release: No part leaks. I assume that it would leak quickly after production since anyone on an assembly line can tell it's a new physical design.

 

[44267547]

This is really looking to be the sweet spot for me to upgrade my original Air.

Agreed. I plan on upgrading my Air 2. Even if it means a little bit longer to release, I'm fine with waiting. I'm looking forward seeing what they have to bring in March.