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
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

pgiguere1 Avatar
97 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
97 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
97 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
97 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
97 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
97 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)

Popular Stories

iOS 16

iOS 16.4 Now Available for Your iPhone With These 8 New Features

Friday March 31, 2023 8:55 am PDT by
Following six weeks of beta testing, iOS 16.4 was released to the public this week. The software update includes a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone 8 and newer. To install an iOS update, open the Settings app on the iPhone, tap General → Software Update, and follow the on-screen instructions. Below, we have recapped eight new features and changes added with iOS 16.4,...
CarPlay Phone Call

General Motors to Phase Out Apple CarPlay Starting This Year in EV Transition

Friday March 31, 2023 8:43 am PDT by
General Motors (GM) will phase out Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in its vehicles starting this year, shifting to a built-in infotainment system co-developed with Google (via Reuters). GM owns Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC in the United States. It will stop offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, which goes on sale this summer. The company plans ...
iOS 17 on Phone Feature

Three New iOS Features Coming to Your iPhone Following Apple Music Classical

Thursday March 30, 2023 7:13 am PDT by
With the Apple Music Classical app and an Apple Pay Later early access program now available, the list of previously-announced iOS features that have yet to launch is beginning to shrink. However, there are still a few features we are waiting for. Below, we have recapped three more iOS features that are expected to launch in 2023, including an Apple Card savings account for Daily Cash,...
wwdc 2023

Three Products We Might See at WWDC 2023

Friday March 31, 2023 3:37 pm PDT by
Apple this week announced the official dates for the 34th annual Worldwide Developers Conference, with the annual WWDC keynote event set to take place on Monday, June 5. The keynote is where Apple unveils new versions of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, and sometimes, we get hardware announcements. Rumors this year suggest there are at least three new devices that are set to be unveiled in the ...
iPhone 15 Pro Multi Purpose button Mute Switch Feature Green 2

iPhone 15 Pro Solid-State Button Sensitivity Can Be Customized to Cater for Cases and Gloves

Thursday March 30, 2023 11:36 pm PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users will be able to customize the sensitivity of the solid-state buttons on their device, thanks to a new sensitivity toggle in Settings. That's according to details provided by a hitherto reliable source that shared additional details on the MacRumors forums. Earlier this week, the same anonymous tipster revealed that the iPhone 15 Pro models will use...
apple mixed reality headset concept by david lewis and marcus kane

Kuo: Apple Mixed-Reality Headset May Not Appear at WWDC as Mass Production Pushed Back Yet Again

Thursday March 30, 2023 4:50 am PDT by
Apple has again pushed back mass production of its mixed-reality headset and the device may not appear at this year's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said. Apple headset concept by David Lewis and Marcus Kane In a tweet, Kuo explained that Apple "isn't very optimistic" about whether the headset will be able to create an "iPhone moment." As a result,...
iPhone 15 Pro Periscope Mock Feature

Periscope Camera Lens Exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro Max Will Be Supplied by Largan

Thursday March 30, 2023 1:18 am PDT by
The periscope camera lens that will be exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max will be solely supplied by Largan, according to the 相機鏡頭中獲利-apple-camera-lens-suppliers-face-two-risks-high-53db8da990b2">latest no by Apple industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Rumors about the iPhone getting a periscope lens have been circulating since early 2020, when Kuo first mentioned the possibility. The analyst...