Apple's 'iPad Air 3' to Be Branded as an iPad Pro With Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil Support

[MacRumors]

Apple's next-generation 9.7-inch iPad has been presumed to be dubbed "iPad Air 3," in line with the last several generations of the device, but according to a new report from 9to5Mac, Apple will instead be branding the new device as part of the iPad Pro family when it is introduced at the company's rumored March 15 media event.

The smaller iPad Pro will have nearly identical features and specifications as the bigger model, bringing along the A9X processor and RAM upgrades from the 12.9-inch model. It will also include the 12.9-inch model’s updated display technology to support the Apple Pencil.

Other features being carried over from the larger iPad Pro include the Smart Connector and the Smart Keyboard, with the latter being made available in a smaller size to fit Apple's mid-sized tablet form factor.

Apple is also reportedly winding down production on iPad mini 2 and original iPad Air models, allowing the company to simplify its tablet lineup to include the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and 7.9-inch iPad mini 4 as its main devices, with the iPad Air 2 likely remaining available as an entry-level model at the middle size.

Article Link: Apple's 'iPad Air 3' to Be Branded as an iPad Pro With Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil Support

 

[akfgpuppet]

Coming next year, the iPad Mini Pro!

 

[DotCom2]

I sure hope they don't get rid of the Mini line.
It's perf for kids!

 

[eac25]

Coming next year, the iPad Mini Pro!

... versus the iPad Pro Mini ...?

 

[Z400Racer37]

Awesome, I was holding out for the "iPad Air 3" hoping for apple pencil support. Love the Pro now, but its just too massive...

 

[KPOM]

Great news if true. 9.7" is a much better size for many.

 

[yossi]

Holding out for the iPad Mini Pro Air-SE

 

[docwisdom]

Awesome, I was holding out for the "iPad Air 3" hoping for apple pencil support. Love the Pro now, but its just too massive...

Thats a serious first world problem

 

[dwman]

Makes sense to do this since this is already being done with their laptop line.

 

[nymetsfan25]

Just wait for it, $699 for 16GB.

 

[nunes013]

If it stays at the current price point of the 9.7 inch line, I'll sell my 2012 rMBP for this and a new iMac.

 

[garirry]

Here's a better option: Don't call the iPad Pro "pro".

 

[mxmgodin]

This is making me fear a Pro price-tag, though...

 

[stephen1108]

Interesting, they're making it similar to how the MacBook line is named.

 

[yaxomoxay]

Thats a serious first world problem

without first world problems there would be no MR.

 

[Rogifan]

How do they give the 9.7" iPad a full size keyboard. Going to be pretty cramped, no?

 

[pgiguere1]

I don't know how I feel about this.

On one hand, odds of it having 4GB RAM are a lot better.
On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if it started at more than $499.

 

[Grolubao]

Don't care for the price, if the specs are the same it's slam dunk!

 

[definitive]

"Same iPad, new price - $200 extra!"

 

[nightcap965]

I shall be very surprised if this rumor pans out. But I have been wrong before.

 

[thekeyring]

So there will be iPad Pro in two sizes, and iPad mini? These actually makes a lot of sense.

iPad mini is for people who want a cheap (relatively, for Apple) tablet. The 9.7" and 12.9" iPads are actually the future of Apple's tablet: More powerful, getting developers on board for more productive apps, and tweaks to iOS like split-screen, PiP, etc...

 

[lightmyway]

Wow, this is surprising, but I guess they want to really communicate that work can be done on iPads. For those who use their iPads for mainly games and Netflix, there is no real need to upgrade (hence declining sales). This could give Apple a higher price point for the 9.7 inch iPad.

I'm ok with it if it has 4GB of RAM. I don't want the giant Pro - seems too unwieldy to be a good tablet, but I'd like to use an iPad for more work than my Air 1 is capable of now.

 

[PFKMan23]

iPad Pro Max, iPad Pro and iPad Mini.

 

[bigcstyle4]

This is making me fear a Pro price-tag, though...

If they try and push this past $499, I'm out. Especially since we all know that will buy you 16GB.

 

[Rogifan]

I don't know how I feel about this.

On one hand, odds of it having 4GB RAM are a lot better.
On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if it started at more than $499.

Hmm...so I wonder if this means mini will be the only cheaper iPad. Or maybe Apple is saying screw it iPad will never get back to 2011-2012 sales levels plus there's nothing we can really do with the current Air other than make it like the Pro so that's what we're going to do.

If they try and push this past $499, I'm out. Especially since we all know that will buy you 16GB.

Except the current iPad Pro starts at 32GB.