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Size of Apple's New 'High End' iPad Pro Model Said to be Between 10 and 10.5-Inches

Sunday January 8, 2017 2:50 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new research report underlining his expectations for the future of Apple's iPad line-up, with slightly revised predictions for a new "high-end" middle-size tablet to be released later this year.

According to Kuo, Apple is planning to introduce three iPads in 2017: a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad, along with a new bezel-free, mid-size model in the range of between 10 and 10.5 inches.

ipad_lineup_2016_sides
We note the 12.9" model will be the second generation of the existing 12.9" iPad Pro, the 10-10.5" model will be the high-end model equipped with a narrow bezel design, and the 9.7" model will be the low-priced option. The former two models will have an A10X chip manufactured by TSMC (2330 TT, NT$183.5, N), while the latter comes with an A9 chip made by Samsung LSI. Although we estimate iPad shipments in 2017 will drop again YoY to 35-37mn units, we except the decline to narrow to 10% from 2016's roughly 20%, given that the 10-10.5" model may see more demand from commercial/enterprises and tender markets, while the low-priced 9.7" model may have a greater shipment contribution and likely account for 50-60% of total shipments of new iPads.
Last August, Kuo's expectation for Apple's mid-size model was a more definite 10.5 inches. His latest revised prediction of 10-10.5 inches suggests Apple is still testing multiple tablets and has yet to settle on a final size. Interestingly, Japanese site Mac Otakara released two separate reports last year stating that the tablet will be 10.1 inches and 10.9 inches, so while the former size falls into the lower end of Kuo's revised range, the exact dimensions remain unclear.

Market-wise, Kuo believes "the worst has passed" for Apple's iPad as he predicts a narrower year-on-year shipment decline in 2017. The analyst puts this down to an improved product mix, decreasing exposure to the iPad mini, and an improved cost structure due to an increasing number of suppliers of touch-module lamination and display panels, with Samsung being "the biggest winner" in joining previous monopoly-holder Silicon Works to supply the latter.

Mac Otakara and Barclays Research have both predicted an early 2017 launch for the new iPads, perhaps in March or April. However, if a radical bezel-free redesign is planned, it is unlikely that Apple will upstage the 2017 iPhone 8 that's expected in September with an edge-to-edge iPad launching earlier in the year.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tags: KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo
Buyer's Guide: 11" iPad Pro (Neutral)
[ 427 comments ]


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sshambles
34 months ago
Talk about cluttering up an already cluttered product lineup.

Keep.
It.
Simple.

Have Apple learnt anything from Steve circa 1997?
Rating: 71 Votes
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T'hain Esh Kelch
34 months ago
Who cares about the screen size anymore? We want to know how thick it is, and how many emojis it comes with, like all your other news posts!

And at a more serious level - I don't think Apple will change the screen size until they are ready to totally overhaul the iPad GUI and move away from the classic iPhone view. And given Cooks view on how the iPad is the de facto productivity standard, I'd say that will take quite some time.
Rating: 46 Votes
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Mr Fusion
34 months ago

You (and apparently many other people) think you want it because you haven't tried it. A full desktop OS works poorly on a tablet, it requires a whole tablet OS to live inside it and tablet apps. It's a hybrid solution that just doesn't work. Buy a Mac, if you need a Mac.

Ok that's enough shenanigans there... What he attempted to say (in a very poor manner) is what a lot of us have been thinking all along: If the iPad is to replace the laptop for the masses, it needs to have the same functionality as one. Not "slap MacOS onto an iPad" all Surface style, rather a far more robust version of iOS is needed. Touch interface combined with the feature set you'd find in MacOS. Simple.

As for the product lineup, this "low-priced" model stuff needs to stop. There's nothing low priced about it, it's just a clever way for Apple to raise product prices on its newest models while claiming the cost to enter the product line is the same. We've seen it now on the iPad, iPhone and MacBook Pro product lines. Stop it Apple, you're not fooling anyone here.
Rating: 40 Votes
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Crosscreek
34 months ago
IMHO until the iPad can also emulate macOS on it with the use of peripherals such as a mouse or track pad keyboard it will remain just a consumption item.
Rating: 39 Votes
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jdillings
34 months ago
A new iPad with an old A9....Tim's got to keep those margins up!
Rating: 36 Votes
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littyboy
34 months ago
So the 9.7" will have last gen's chip? wtf. The only thing "pro" about that will be the price.
Rating: 27 Votes
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laudern
34 months ago

iPads and iPhones are the future, my dear Macrumors friends. The Laptop market is shrinking and shrinking, don't you know that? Now just accept this and stop whining.


Apple's laptop market is shrinking because they are continually releasing crap laptops. If they released a decent, upgradable, port friendly laptop their luck would be different.
Rating: 25 Votes
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n-evo
34 months ago

You do realize the whole purpose of iOS is to get away from peripherals, right?

Is that why they introduced the Apple Pencil and keyboard case?
Rating: 22 Votes
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entropys
34 months ago
Except for the one year old iPad pros that come with the added bonus of a higher price, the iPads, like the macs, are woefully out of date. You would have to be an absolute idiot to buy an iPad mini for example.
Rating: 21 Votes
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unobtainium
34 months ago
iPad mini is the superior size for a tablet. I won't be buying any larger iPads because they're a pain to hold while lying in bed, and they're not as portable.

So, iPad mini Pro, or no more iPads for me.
Rating: 20 Votes

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