Moving to 4K would only make the iPad cost even more which a lot won't be too thrilled about
Given what they charge for products such as the Pencil I wouldn't put it past them.I don't really understand the logic behind this reasoning. Apple has never increased the base price of new iPads. Sure, they added a new category of 128GB that was more expensive, but even when they moved from the non-retina iPad 2 to the retina iPad 3, which represents a 4x increase in the number of pixels, the launch prices were exactly the same.
The iPad 3 launched at a base price of $499.
The iPad 2 launched at the exact same base price of $499.
Moving to 4K (3840 x 2880 in 4:3) from the current 2048x1536 represents an increase of ~3.5x pixels. Even less reason to increase the price than iPad 2 -> iPad 3.
I don't understand why people "need" 4K on a small screen device. 4K on mobile devices is the new megapixel, where it has become a number on spec sheet for marketing purposes only. Retina is already great, and performance would be awesome with the A9X. I don't need extra resolution just to have a checkmark on paper.
I kind of disagree. While resolution on the screen is literally megapixels the real issue with the camera debate was the sensor versus the number of (less important) megapixels. There is no question that upping the resolution improves the screen quality. However, if Apple continues to sacrifice battery life for thinness then it will be a problem. A few years ago people were saying the same thing about 720p vs 1080p being 'a number on a spec sheet for marketing purposes only'. Where are those people now? I personally don't think the iPad Air 3 needs 4K but it would sure look nice. Saving it for the 4 when they hopefully have better battery technology is likely a better idea.
Performance. Have we not learned anything from the iPad 3? The move to retina was great, but performance was hugely sacrificed. Now we have reached retina res with great performance. I don't need 4K just because some people want to win an e-penis competition of having a larger number, while battery life and real performance suffers. I rather have a retina screen that is already excellent, and have a blazing performance.I kind of disagree. While resolution on the screen is literally megapixels the real issue with the camera debate was the sensor versus the number of (less important) megapixels. There is no question that upping the resolution improves the screen quality. However, if Apple continues to sacrifice battery life for thinness then it will be a problem. A few years ago people were saying the same thing about 720p vs 1080p being 'a number on a spec sheet for marketing purposes only'. Where are those people now? I personally don't think the iPad Air 3 needs 4K but it would sure look nice. Saving it for the 4 when they hopefully have better battery technology is likely a better idea.
Same size, same screen res.
Some form of bumped up processor, maybe a cut-down A9X.
Smart Connector.
Pencil Support.
Maybe increased base storage to 32GB.
That's it. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept Pencil support to the Pro though.
My usual rule for new stuff is three, four at most new features to point at.
What you describe is a 9.7" iPad Pro. I doubt Apple will do that. I can't see them doing pencil support and the smart connector, especially this early. Now if a whole bunch of accessories come out to support the smart connector, I could see them maybe giving pencil support to more iPads because there would still be a differentiator, but barring that, I don't see it happening. I would look at the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air (or MacBook) lines as an indicator of what to expect for differentiation.
Same size, same screen res.
Some form of bumped up processor, maybe a cut-down A9X.
Smart Connector.
Pencil Support.
Maybe increased base storage to 32GB.
That's it. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept Pencil support to the Pro though.
My usual rule for new stuff is three, four at most new features to point at.
I'm shocked that anyone is shocked by the 4K rumor. The 9.7 inch iPad has had the same 264 ppi resolution for 3 1/2 years--an eternity in the tech world. You have to periodically upgrade specs, it's how the game is played to induce people to buy the new one. Whether it has practical benefits is almost beside the point. Apple is a marketing company and higher resolution is a selling point--whether the benefits are real of merely perceived.
ipad air 3 if it will be release in march will have A9 chip
if it will be released in oct 2016 along with the ipad pro, it will have a9x and ipad pro will have a10x
No chance of any of this except possibly 3d touch.
-Faster: obviously
-Apple Pencil: definitely
-3D touch: maybe
-Better battery: hopefully
-4k? No chance.
I dont know about the smart connector (mainly for the reason that the iPad Air is too small for a full sized keyboard), but the Pencil HAS to come to the iPad Air. The iPad Pro is awesome but for many it is just too big (also for me). I almost bought one but just couldn't bring myself to do it because I would mainly need it for lectures at university and for that it is just too much.
The main differentiator between the Pro and the Air will be the size and the performance. The Air line hasnt been updated for over a year and they shouldnt hold pencil support back.
The Pencil support is EXACTLY what many, many current Air user or students need.
The iPad has struggled lately. The last thing Apple can allow itself to do is holding back features.
That would be really stupid because giving the pencil support for the most popular iPad would actually add value to both products, because developers would be more likely to make pencil compatible apps.Pencil I could see Apple trying to keep it exclusive with the iPad Pro.
That would be really stupid because giving the pencil support for the most popular iPad would actually add value to both products, because developers would be more likely to make pencil compatible apps.
Not when you want to make a reason to sell iPad pro's. Never said my actual opinion on it but just thinking that is a possibility...
I understand the size as a differentiator argument, but performance may be pushing it. I mean who is lacking performance from their iPad mini/Air? They will need more than that to continue to differentiate the Pro from the rest.
Here is another thought. It is very possible Apple feels you need the size of the Pro to use the pencil. They may have a philosophical point of view that anything smaller than the Pro is not suited for Pencil support. I think the connector, Pencil, and processor will be what continues to separate the Pro from the Air and mini. $200 is already pretty steep for those things. Take any of them away, and it starts to get pretty tough to justify the expense.
Well , if Apple is really serious about making iOS a platform for productivity performance will always be a diffentiator. There is a lot you can do for example up the RAM, higher clock speed, etc.
Holding back the Pencil Support is just a stupid move for apple simply because the size differences are THAT significant. Yes - they can upsell a few people to an iPad Pro. But ultimately Apple will just end up with frustrated users. It will also slow the progress of the apps itself since the user group of the pencil will be limited.