The iPad Pro is less than a month from launch -- with an unspecified date for the device sometime in November -- but a few rumors out of Apple's supply chain yesterday are already pointing to the company's expected sales figures for the 12.9-inch display tablet. According to the supply chain sources (via DigiTimes), Apple has placed "limited orders" for the iPad Pro for the 2015 holiday season, leading into the first quarter of 2016, pointing towards a "conservative attitude" regarding the sales of the larger-screened iPad.

ipad-pro
Specifically, the sources say the company has placed orders for less than 2.5 million iPad Pro units for the end of 2015. After that, Apple is believed to take a wait-and-see approach to the volume amount for Q1 2016, which could be even lower than 2.5 million if holiday sales this year aren't impressive enough for the Cupertino-based company. The supply chain sources note that since most businesses are always looking to cut costs, the top-tier pricing of the enterprise-focused iPad Pro, and its accessories, may in fact not hit its target demographic as Apple expects.

The tablet market as a whole has stagnated over the past few years, as more and more users remain unconvinced of a reason to upgrade yearly for such a tertiary device. In July, iPad sales were found to have been in decline for six consecutive quarters, with much hope aimed at the 2015 holiday season's launch of the new iPad line. With today's conservative iPad Pro estimates, no iPad Air 3 launching this year, and Apple's own soft launch of the iPad mini 4, it seems like iPad sales -- and the tablet market as a whole -- may not rebound as much as expected this holiday.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Don't Buy)

Top Rated Comments

pgiguere1 Avatar
127 months ago
At least they're aware this is a somewhat niche product and won't be a mainstream success like the iPad and iPad mini. Success or failure is all about the expectations you set. People don't call the Mac Pro a failure based on its low sales numbers because they never expected it to sell in large volumes. I'm not sure precisely where to position the iPad Pro in terms of niche-ness though.

One thing seems obvious to me however: the product itself could have mainstream appeal, it's ultimately its price tag that will limit demand. If the iPad Pro was say $649, with the keyboard case and pencil at $99 and $49 respectively, I could totally see it sell in large amounts.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
RedOrchestra Avatar
127 months ago
Sounds more like they are announcing the product's lackluster sales before they actually sell.

The iPad Pro, surprise-surprise, will not be a game changer, major seller, or special bon-bon for the entire tech market. It is definitely an expensive niche product only a few need or can utilize (aside from screen size). 99% of the market are fine with an iPad Air.
Corporations do so many focus-groups with their products that I think Apple has gotten the word that an iPad Pro just ain't cutting it.

Bring on the iPad Air 3.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JXShine Avatar
127 months ago
Given apple's recent pricing, this thing will cost at least $1060 in Canada (base model) and depending on where you live, you may pay up to 13% tax on top of that. Who in their right mind would spend that money on a device that only runs mobile apps?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lesser Evets Avatar
127 months ago
Sounds more like they are announcing the product's lackluster sales before they actually sell.

The iPad Pro, surprise-surprise, will not be a game changer, major seller, or special bon-bon for the entire tech market. It is definitely an expensive niche product only a few need or can utilize (aside from screen size). 99% of the market are fine with an iPad Air.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drjgelb Avatar
127 months ago
I know a dozen people around me who are eagerly awaiting the iPad Pro! I'm one of them! Don't worry to much Apple! For those of us getting older, a larger iPad is a godsend!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
levitynyc Avatar
127 months ago
Too expensive.

I'm in the market to replace an iPad 3 Retina. It's really sluggish now.

How the hell is the year old iPad Air 2 still $500 for the entry level 16gb.

iPad sales are down for 2 reasons.

1. You don't need to replace them yearly.
2. Competition is crushing them in price.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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