The oft-rumored 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" is expected to launch after mid-November as overseas manufacturer Foxconn prepares to start supplying components for the large-sized tablet in late September, according to the sometimes-reliable Taiwanese blog DigiTimes. Apple reportedly remains cautious about placing orders for the "iPad Pro" from suppliers due to declining iPad sales and weakening demand in the overall tablet market.

ipadprodummy1

12.9-inch "iPad Pro" dummy model originally shared in February 2015

DigiTimes has a hit-and-miss track record reporting on Apple's upcoming product plans, so this latest rumor should be treated with a proverbial grain of salt. Nevertheless, the rumor is consistent with previous reports that widely expect the "iPad Pro" to launch in the second half of this year. Apple has also historically announced new iPad models in October, which could line up with a launch around mid-November.

Last month, Taiwanese iOS developer Hiraku Wang shared iOS 9 beta code that suggests the 12.9-inch "iPad Pro" could have a 2,732×2,048 display at 264 PPI, the same pixel density as the third-generation iPad through iPad Air 2. iPhone developer Steven Troughton-Smith also discovered that the new iPad keyboard on iOS 9 beta is capable of scaling to a larger size with rearranged keys, providing further evidence that Apple could be planning to release a larger-sized tablet in the near future.

iOS 9 UIKeyboard iPad

UIKeyboard view on iOS 9 scales to a larger iPad size (Image: Twitter/Steve T-S)

The pro-level tablet is also rumored to feature a 12.9-inch flexible display with increased pressure sensitivity, built-in NFC chip, Force Touch, USB-C port and possibly a pressure-sensitive Bluetooth stylus. The tablet would also likely have an A9 processor with 2GB of RAM and Touch ID.

A related DigiTimes report claims that China-based white-box tablet makers are preparing to capitalize on the "iPad Pro" launch and seasonal shopping trends by releasing tablets in the 10-inch to 15-inch range throughout the second half of 2015. The tablet makers are said to be sourcing components from Taiwan-based touch controller IC makers including ITE Tech, Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) and ILi Technology (Ilitek).

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

coltman75 Avatar
107 months ago
What's the point if it doesn't run OS X?
I'm on the flip side. What's the point if it does run OS X? OS X would be awful on a touch interface, whereas iOS has some really great professional-level tools that take full advantage of what the iPad has to offer.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alex Moran Avatar
107 months ago
All I really want is a stylus that is integrated with the OS
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pakaku Avatar
107 months ago
You have 5 stylus' at the end of each arm. Very convenient.
That's really funny. Finger-painting is a horrendous way to draw. There is a very good reason why Wacom's Cintiq lineup still ships with pens.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
martygras9 Avatar
107 months ago
You have 5 stylus' at the end of each arm. Very convenient.
Have you ever used a Wacom Cintiq? Use one once and you'll see why using an iPad for design is like finger painting. Don't get me wrong, I love the iPad in its current form, but I'm very intrigued about this.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mgipe Avatar
107 months ago
You have 5 stylus' at the end of each arm. Very convenient.
I guess I need to figure out how to put one of these stylii in the pencil sharpener, because as it is now, it's too blunt to use for precision drawing.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rocketman Avatar
107 months ago
What's the point if it doesn't run OS X?
Kiosk, corporate control systems overviews, CNC mill, accounting departments. Generally businesses not gamers, which is probably the best consumer level use case.

Rocketman
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
macos sonoma 4

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma With New Widget Features, Safari Updates, Screen Sharing Improvements and More

Tuesday September 26, 2023 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS 14 Sonoma, the newest version of the operating system that runs on the Mac. macOS Sonoma has been in beta testing for several months, and it is compatible with the 2019 and later iMac, the iMac Pro, the 2018 and later Mac mini, the 2018 and later MacBook Pro, the 2019 and later Mac Pro, and the Mac Studio. The ‌macOS Sonoma update can be downloaded for free on...