Do you think we will see an iPad Air 3 released this year with basically the same internals as the Pro but with no pencil or smart connector support?
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iPad Air 3 (same as Air Pro but without pencil or smart connect)?
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Umm the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro IS the "Air 3" the difference is they just changed the names from Air To Pro because the word "Pro" sounds so so much more appealing and attention grabbing to people and will be more of a money earner to Apple then the word "Air" just like they changed the names from the iPad 4 to the iPad "Air" couple years ago!
So there won't be a iPad "Air" 3 as it IS the new 9.7 inch iPad Pro, basically just think of the new 9.7 Pro is the "Air 3"!!
it seems Apple has realized the 9.7" iPads have been "too cheap" from the beginning ... they had a much smaller profit margin than iPhones
too bad for customers...
too bad for customers...
I'm thinking we'll see an iPad Air refresh with an A9 chip in the fall. I think the regular air will follow the same upgrade cycle as the mini -- receiving older iterations of the processor and other hardware feature. The iPad lineup is looking similar to the laptop lineup with the various screen sizes, price points and hardware.
The iPad Pro will continue to get the newest processors and hardware.
My only reasoning is that Apple obviously wants to maintain a diverse product line, with entry at various price points. They created a $399 price bracket for the 9.7 iPad. I don't see them pricing the iPad Pro (9.7) to fill this price point in the future. This leads me to believe the regular 9.7 will see a refresh in the future, most likely with an older processor (A9x).
Possible future lineup:
iPad mini 4/air 3 $399
iPad Pro 9.7 $499
iPad Pro 2 (9.7) $599
iPad Pro 12.9 $699
iPad Pro 2 (12.9) $799
The iPad Pro will continue to get the newest processors and hardware.
My only reasoning is that Apple obviously wants to maintain a diverse product line, with entry at various price points. They created a $399 price bracket for the 9.7 iPad. I don't see them pricing the iPad Pro (9.7) to fill this price point in the future. This leads me to believe the regular 9.7 will see a refresh in the future, most likely with an older processor (A9x).
Possible future lineup:
iPad mini 4/air 3 $399
iPad Pro 9.7 $499
iPad Pro 2 (9.7) $599
iPad Pro 12.9 $699
iPad Pro 2 (12.9) $799
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Man that is a convoluted lineup
How about they have:
iPad Mini $399
iPad (Essentially iPad Air 3. Maybe just include a A9 and make it thiner/lighter) $499
iPad Pro's $599+
My guess is that they drop the "Air" moniker across all product lines:
iPad Mini > iPad > iPad Pro
iPhone SE > iPhone # > iPhone # Pro
MacBook > MacBook Pro
Mac Mini > iMac > Mac Pro
iPad Mini > iPad > iPad Pro
iPhone SE > iPhone # > iPhone # Pro
MacBook > MacBook Pro
Mac Mini > iMac > Mac Pro
They're not going to get rid of the 9.7 entry price. Something will replace the current $399 iPad Air 2.
They will still make the iPad air 2 but it will just be the old model at the cheaper price. I am just talking about the new top of their line devices. The whole thing is getting very complex
Judging by how long the iPad 2 stayed in the line-up (and at $399, mind you), I see the iPad Air 2 staying in its place for quite a while. Apple will put all those comments of the iPad Air 2 being the new "longevity" model to the test! (which I agree to, by the way).
What I do see for the Fall is an A9 iPad mini 5 at $399, the iPad mini 4 at $299, and the discontinuation of the iPad mini 2. Of course, I could see Apple pulling an iPad 4 and bringing back the iPad mini 3 at $299 instead of the iPad mini 4, but that would be evil!
As far as the iPad Pro, I think they'll save the second generation for Spring 2017 to go along with the second generation 9.7" model.
What I do see for the Fall is an A9 iPad mini 5 at $399, the iPad mini 4 at $299, and the discontinuation of the iPad mini 2. Of course, I could see Apple pulling an iPad 4 and bringing back the iPad mini 3 at $299 instead of the iPad mini 4, but that would be evil!
As far as the iPad Pro, I think they'll save the second generation for Spring 2017 to go along with the second generation 9.7" model.
I agree that the iPad Air moniker might disappear. I also agree that the "new" iPad will use a non X Apple SOC, like the original iPad (A4) and the iPad Air (A7).
My guess is that the iPad mini and air will be updated in November with a different name, just iPad (7.9" and 9.7") and with the new A10. Simplifying lineup and saving money for Apple as motherboard will be the same for both iPads and similar to iPhone boards. Pricing may change to $349 and $449 respectively.
After reading about the A9X fast/rushed development I don't think the A10X will be ready by November. Most likely Apple will wait for a full year to update the iPad Pro, i.e. one will have to wait til April 2017 for newer versions.
I like this--it would make total sense and would basically mimic the Mac lineup.
I think they're gonna keep the Pro models at a higher price point. My guess is if Apple releases an Air 3 later this year, the line-up will be as follows:
mini 2 $299
mini 4 $399
Air 2 $399
Air 3 $499
Pro 9.7 $599
Pro 12.9 $799
Weird with the mini 4 and Air 2 being the same price. Would be interesting to see them get aggressive with the mini and push it to 249/349 or even 199/299.
Smart Connector isn't a feature, it's a proprietary port and the $99 Pencil is a revenue monster because I'd wager 75% of Pencil Owners don't actually use it. So removing these specs would be a negative to both Apple and the consumer.
And regarding the "Air 3". Think about it. What exactly would an Air 3 look like? The Pro 9.7 used the exact same Air chassis so how odd would it be to say "This new looking product is the Air 3 and that product that looks like an Air is the Pro. So my bet is that the Air name (in both macs and iPads) are done.
My hopes is that when the Mini gets its pencil/smart connector update then the Pro 9.7 gets renamed to just "iPad". It happened with "The New iPad" (iPad 3) and "iPad Mini with Retina Display" (iPad Mini 2) so why not rename the equally confusing "iPad Pro 9.7" to simply iPad.
I think the Air line is gone. If tablet sales have been on the decline and do not look to be rebounding significantly, the last thing you want to do is create more and more skus/models.
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