Next month Apple is going to announce its new iPad models: a 10.5 inch iPad, a 9.7 inch iPad, and a 12.9 inch iPad. The addition of this new size, the 10.5 inch, confused me at first because I thought the last thing the iPad lineup needed was to be more crowded. But it occurred to me that this wouldn't necessarily mean adding another model to the lineup. My analysis of the three sizes is that Apple is bumping up the size of the smaller Pro model by a small .8 inches, and essentially releasing an Air 3 in the 9.7 inch size that will NOT have the Pro line's Smart Connector or Pencil abilities but will get an A9 chip and some other spec bumps. This makes the most sense because it means the entire Pro lineup has a larger screen size (even if it's minimal) than the Air.
As for pricing on the updated models, I anticipate the Air 3 will start at 399, the Pro 10.5 will start at 699+ (yes, this is going to be a high-end device), and the 12.9 will start at 799. If you missed Target's 150 off on the 9.7 Pro, the release of the 10.5 will likely create some pretty fantastic deals - that is if you don't mind the .8 inch difference and A10X processor.
As for real revolutionary changes to the iPad lineup, you're going to have to wait for 2018. Apple plans on keeping the iPhone at the helm of innovation, and that includes edgelessness and OLED which we should not expect from iPad until next year. The 10.5 model will have drastically reduced bezels, but count on some bezel and a Taptic home button.
UPDATES:
- Apple have released an "Air 3" equivalent but I got the name wrong. They are simply calling it "iPad." The device starts at 329, 70 dollars less than I anticipated.
- March has passed without release of any new Pros, and suppliers and an aggressive ad campaign suggest a later than expected release. So, I got the release date wrong.
- Apple is calling their new "iPad" the fifth generation, counting out both Air models.
- The 10.5 inch Pro has been released. It does have bezels and a home button and is more expensive than its predecessor, starting at 650.
- No iPad Mini was released, indicating the mini line may indeed be through.
As for pricing on the updated models, I anticipate the Air 3 will start at 399, the Pro 10.5 will start at 699+ (yes, this is going to be a high-end device), and the 12.9 will start at 799. If you missed Target's 150 off on the 9.7 Pro, the release of the 10.5 will likely create some pretty fantastic deals - that is if you don't mind the .8 inch difference and A10X processor.
As for real revolutionary changes to the iPad lineup, you're going to have to wait for 2018. Apple plans on keeping the iPhone at the helm of innovation, and that includes edgelessness and OLED which we should not expect from iPad until next year. The 10.5 model will have drastically reduced bezels, but count on some bezel and a Taptic home button.
UPDATES:
- Apple have released an "Air 3" equivalent but I got the name wrong. They are simply calling it "iPad." The device starts at 329, 70 dollars less than I anticipated.
- March has passed without release of any new Pros, and suppliers and an aggressive ad campaign suggest a later than expected release. So, I got the release date wrong.
- Apple is calling their new "iPad" the fifth generation, counting out both Air models.
- The 10.5 inch Pro has been released. It does have bezels and a home button and is more expensive than its predecessor, starting at 650.
- No iPad Mini was released, indicating the mini line may indeed be through.
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