Apple Discontinues 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Following Launch of Lower-Priced 10.5-Inch iPad Air

[MacRumors]

Apple has stopped selling the second-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro, originally released in June 2017, after launching a new 10.5-inch iPad Air today.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro had remained available from $649 following the release of 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in October 2018, but it has been replaced by the 10.5-inch iPad Air with a cheaper starting price of $499.

The new iPad Air features a 10.5-inch Retina display, A12 Bionic chip, and Apple Pencil support and is available to order on Apple.com starting today.

Apple also released a new iPad mini with an A12 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil support today. The 9.7-inch iPad was not updated.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Following Launch of Lower-Priced 10.5-Inch iPad Air

 

[Jakewilk]

This is actually a surprisingly generous upgrade, considering the fact that it used to cost $649

 

[Jerion]

Makes sense. Nice price drop & feature tweak for the lineup.

 

[Caliber26]

This is actually a surprisingly generous upgrade, considering the fact that it used to cost $649

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

 

[oldmacs]

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

You also loose better camera and camera flash. Keep in mind that the 10.5 Pro had the A10X, and the new Air has an A12 (non x) - also the 10.5 Pro had 4GB of ram and I'm doubting this one does, though I could be wrong.

 

[Merkie]

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

I'm confused. What is the difference between the $329 iPad and new iPad Air then? Laminated screen, slightly bigger screen, faster CPU. What else?

 

[DrJohnnyN]

What a messy lineup.

Apple has stopped selling the second-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro, originally released in June 2017, after launching a new 10.5-inch iPad Air today.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro had remained available from $649 following the release of 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in October 2018, but it has been replaced by the 10.5-inch iPad Air with a cheaper starting price of $499.

The new iPad Air features a 10.5-inch Retina display, A12 Bionic chip, and Apple Pencil support and is available to order on Apple.com starting today.

Apple also released a new iPad mini with an A12 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil support today. The 9.7-inch iPad was not updated.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Following Launch of Lower-Priced 10.5-Inch iPad Air

 

[Jakewilk]

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

And it costs $150 less, which is a good deal imo

 

[partsofspeech]

IiPad naming may not be confusing for everyone but the that product line has certainly lost focus.

Pro 12.9”, iPad 10.5” (from the new Air), and Mini 7.5” form a team that is mean and lean.

 

[Silver Idaten]

Everybody with a bright spot on their 10.5 Pro just got screwed even more.

 

[The Samurai]

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

People actually thought Apple were being generous.

 

[oldmacs]

People actually thought Apple were being generous.

It's just Apple moving the average selling price of the iPad up again....

 

[Jerion]

I'm confused. What is the difference between the $329 iPad and new iPad Air then? Laminated screen, slightly bigger screen, faster CPU. What else?

And Smart Keyboard?

That’s pretty much it.

 

[macduke]

From the average consumer’s point of view, the iPad is probably the most difficult Apple product to buy. People know I’m an Apple guy and I get the most questions about it. They really needed to simplify the lineup, and instead we got more complication. At least it has a good price to performance ratio.

So glad those 10.2” rumors were wrong and they didn’t fragment things even more.

I’m hoping this means they’re saving AirPods and AirPower for the event, but I won’t hold my breath. Also doubt we’ll see the iMac updates now before WWDC.

 

[Ferc Kast]

Keep in mind that this update drops ProMotion as well as the quad speakers in favor of stereo speakers.

So you gain a better processor but lose 2 features from the previous 10.5" model.

Slight correction; it lost 3 features: ProMotion (120GHz refresh rate), flash for the back camera, and the quad speakers.

Potentially downgraded the RAM too, but we'll have to wait for a teardown or a Geekbench test to be sure.

 

[dsraj]

Lost: Quad speakers, ProMotion, 4K video shooting

Gained: A12 (previously A10X), 13 grams lighter

Price drop: $150

I think this is a really good deal. Processor bump is huge and a meaningful one that keeps it running and supported for years to come. $499 was the standard price point for a 9.7” iPad Air for a long time. Same price for a 10.5” Air with Pencil support and latest processors is sweetspot!

 

[natemac]

What a messy lineup.

Agreed. Comparing the differences between iPads has become a headache. Doesn’t make sense. Should be easier than this. Love Apple but they lost direction here.

 

[Falhófnir]

I guess the previous pro was so close in price to the new 11" it wasn't really doing a lot in the lineup, this will appeal to people who don't want to pay pro pricing but do want a laminated display on the 9.7" iPad. Just a slight repositioning of the model in the line to lose a couple of the more shiny bells and whistles, but get a big price reduction and a bump in power. (I wonder if this is going to be a battery champ, given the A10X presumably drew more power?)

 

[motorazr]

I assume you mean the iPad? Presuming yes, the article incorrectly states it’s size as 10.5”. The iPad remains at 9.7” .

Apple has stopped selling the second-generation 10.5-inch iPad Pro, originally released in June 2017, after launching a new 10.5-inch iPad Air today.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro had remained available from $649 following the release of 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models in October 2018, but it has been replaced by the 10.5-inch iPad Air with a cheaper starting price of $499.

The new iPad Air features a 10.5-inch Retina display, A12 Bionic chip, and Apple Pencil support and is available to order on Apple.com starting today.

Apple also released a new iPad mini with an A12 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil support today. The 9.7-inch iPad was not updated.

Article Link: Apple Discontinues 10.5-Inch iPad Pro Following Launch of Lower-Priced 10.5-Inch iPad Air

 

[genovelle]

It's just Apple moving the average selling price of the iPad up again....

How do you move the selling price up by adding a cheaper model and removing one that was $150 more.

 

[Falhófnir]

I assume you mean the iPad? Presuming yes, the article incorrectly states it’s size as 10.5”. The iPad remains at 9.7” .

No, they mean the just-launched 10.5" iPad Air (replacing the 10.5" pro at a cheaper price point) - it's front and centre on Apple's website if you missed it

How do you move the selling price up by adding a cheaper model and removing one that was $150 more.

More people buying the $799 iPad pro 11" rather than the $650 10.5", and some people who would have bought the $329 ipad now buying the $499 iPad Air.

 

[oldmacs]

How do you move the selling price up by adding a cheaper model and removing one that was $150 more.

You push more people onto the new iPad Pros as Pro Motion, an AX processor, presumably 4GB of ram, quad speakers, better camera, camera flash are only on the new Pros, and instead of spec bumping the iPad 9.7 like they did last year, you push more people onto a more expensive model to get something with recent specs.

 

[coolkid93]

Generous but lost quite a few things
Just when I was gonna get the 10.5” Pro now I don’t know which one to get ...

 

[vnrwka]

You also loose better camera and camera flash. Keep in mind that the 10.5 Pro had the A10X, and the new Air has an A12 (non x) - also the 10.5 Pro had 4GB of ram and I'm doubting this one does, though I could be wrong.

sad to see promotion & quad speakers go away, but who cares about cameras on ipads? I'd be happy to pay less and give up a camera.

 

[Falhófnir]

Generous but lost quite a few things
Just when I was gonna get the 10.5” Pro now I don’t know which one to get ...

I guess if the features like ProMotion and quad speakers appeal to you and you don't mind spending the extra then get the 11" pro, or if you can live without those things you now won't have to part with as much cash? Alternatively you might still be able to find a 10.5" pro from a third party retailer if that really hits the sweet spot for you?