Apple's colorful mainstream flagship, starting at $749.
Apple Reportedly Targeting Late Q3 2014 for 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' Launch
As outlined in our feature highlighting Apple's possible product plans for 2014, a number of rumors have suggested Apple may be working on a 12.9-inch iPad model that could launch later this year. The company is allegedly accelerating development on this device in response to Samsung's introduction of two competing 12.2-inch tablet models, with market sources cited by Digitimes claiming that Apple is now prepping the so-called "iPad Pro" for a late Q3 2014 launch at the earliest.
Mockup of 12.9-inch iPad next to iPad Air and iPad mini
The claim that Apple's timeline is motivated by a perceived need to match Samsung's recent introductions seems doubtful given that Apple has routinely taken its time coming to market even in the face of competitors rushing to beat Apple to its own rumored products, but at a minimum the claimed launch target offers one more data point for those trying to predict a release. Some sources have predicted a launch as soon as early this year but such a timeline seems very unlikely given the absence of part leaks and other substantiating evidence.
Earlier reports suggested the 12.9-inch iPad Pro could be a hybrid device that would appeal to enterprise customers looking for a machine that bridges the gap between tablet and notebook. Based on display panels currently under development in the supply chain, research firm DisplaySearch believes that the iPad Pro could ship with a 12.9-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 and 265 ppi.
Besides the iPad Pro, Digitimes' sources unsurprisingly also claim Apple is working on new 7.9-inch and 9.7-inch models to replace the current Retina iPad mini and iPad Air. These models will likely debut in Q3 2014, keeping with Apple's current late fall release schedule for the iPad. Demand for the iPad is expected to be strong again in 2014 with the company selling between 80 and 90 million units over the course of the year.
The claim that Apple's timeline is motivated by a perceived need to match Samsung's recent introductions seems doubtful given that Apple has routinely taken its time coming to market even in the face of competitors rushing to beat Apple to its own rumored products, but at a minimum the claimed launch target offers one more data point for those trying to predict a release. Some sources have predicted a launch as soon as early this year but such a timeline seems very unlikely given the absence of part leaks and other substantiating evidence.
Earlier reports suggested the 12.9-inch iPad Pro could be a hybrid device that would appeal to enterprise customers looking for a machine that bridges the gap between tablet and notebook. Based on display panels currently under development in the supply chain, research firm DisplaySearch believes that the iPad Pro could ship with a 12.9-inch Retina display with a resolution of 2732 x 2048 and 265 ppi.
Besides the iPad Pro, Digitimes' sources unsurprisingly also claim Apple is working on new 7.9-inch and 9.7-inch models to replace the current Retina iPad mini and iPad Air. These models will likely debut in Q3 2014, keeping with Apple's current late fall release schedule for the iPad. Demand for the iPad is expected to be strong again in 2014 with the company selling between 80 and 90 million units over the course of the year.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: digitimes.com
Buyer's Guide: 12.9" iPad Pro (Don't Buy)
[ 174 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
62 months ago
Please no... This will simply be a dumb move. Just like having 4"+ phone is.
Why ?
62 months ago
I would really like to have a larger iPad. I am not worried about portability. My iPad never leaves the house.
62 months ago
They could go Samsung-style and put an earpiece on it so that people would stop asking for big iPhones.
62 months ago
Jony,
A little correction for that last email. I meant "iPhone". Make a larger "iPhone". I hope you haven't started yet.
Tim
A little correction for that last email. I meant "iPhone". Make a larger "iPhone". I hope you haven't started yet.
Tim
62 months ago
Please no... This will simply be a dumb move. Just like having 4"+ phone is.
Just like when you were dissing the Verizon iPhone?
[ Read All Comments ]
Apple has reportedly signed a 10-year lease for nearly 314,000 square feet of industrial manufacturing space in Santa Clara County, California (via Silicon Valley Business Journal).
The...
One of Apple's Lexus SUVs outfitted with autonomous driving equipment was involved in a minor car accident on October 15 while being driven in manual mode, and the accident in question does not...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with WaterField Designs to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a Tech Folio or Tech Folio Plus, which are cases that are designed for the 10.5...
In macOS Mojave, Apple introduced a new notarization feature for apps distributed outside of the Mac App Store that's designed to further protect users from malicious Mac apps.
Apple is...
Google Chrome now enables picture-in-picture as a default setting on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers as of Chrome 70. If you are up-to-date and watching a compatible video in the Chrome web...
Today is iPhone XR pre-order day, and like with previous iPhone models you are able to pre-order the XR from all of the major cellular carriers, most of which are offering promotions. If you...
The document scanning feature found in Apple's stock Notes app is a great way to digitize all sorts of print-based content, from letters and receipts to recipes and photos.
If you often...
Feral today announced that the Company of Heroes 2: Master Collection is now available on the Mac App Store.
Originally developed by Relic Entertainment and generally regarded as the definitive...
