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12.9-Inch iPad Pro in Short Supply Ahead of Rumored March Update
Just weeks before Apple is rumored to launch a trio of new iPads, 12.9-inch iPad Pro stock is drying up around the world.
A spot check of Apple's online store reveals that most if not all 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are now estimated to ship in 2-3 weeks in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and elsewhere—that's up from a shipping estimate of 1-2 weeks as recently as last weekend.
Apple's in-store pickup tool lists most 12.9-inch iPad Pro models as available on March 3 to March 6 in locations ranging from New York and San Francisco to Toronto, Canada and London, England. Some models remain available for pickup as early as "today," but stock has increasingly depleted based upon our checks.
12.9-inch iPad Pro models are also largely out of stock or backordered by several weeks at resellers such as Best Buy, AT&T, and Verizon in the United States. That's in sharp contrast to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which remains well stocked and available to ship immediately on both Apple's website and at resellers.
Lengthy shipping times can sometimes indicate that a product refresh is imminent, but in this case, the supply chain could be to blame.
In its latest earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company underestimated iPad demand this quarter and had an issue with one of its suppliers. Cook said he does not expect the shortage to be totally resolved this quarter, and that could reasonably explain why the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is increasingly hard to find.
Apple analyst Neil Cybart of Above Avalon said Apple has been experiencing "increasingly noticeable supply chain troubles," as evidenced by long shipping estimates on products that launched months ago, such as Apple Watch Series 2 and AirPods. With a 2-3 week wait, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro can be added to that list.
Rumors suggest Apple will launch an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro with slimmer bezels as early as March—or as late as the second half of this year per hit-and-miss supply chain source DigiTimes. Apple is also expected to release updated 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with faster A10X processors.
Japanese blog Mac Otakara said the next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature a True Tone display like its current 9.7-inch counterpart, using advanced four-channel ambient light sensors to automatically adapt the color and intensity of the display to match the light in the surrounding environment.
The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will also gain the 9.7-inch iPad Pro's same 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and True Tone flash, and it will allegedly still have a 3.5mm headphone jack, according to the blog.
"We've got some exciting things coming on iPad and I'm optimistic about where things are headed," Cook said last week.
A spot check of Apple's online store reveals that most if not all 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are now estimated to ship in 2-3 weeks in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and elsewhere—that's up from a shipping estimate of 1-2 weeks as recently as last weekend.
Apple's in-store pickup tool lists most 12.9-inch iPad Pro models as available on March 3 to March 6 in locations ranging from New York and San Francisco to Toronto, Canada and London, England. Some models remain available for pickup as early as "today," but stock has increasingly depleted based upon our checks.
12.9-inch iPad Pro models are also largely out of stock or backordered by several weeks at resellers such as Best Buy, AT&T, and Verizon in the United States. That's in sharp contrast to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which remains well stocked and available to ship immediately on both Apple's website and at resellers.
Lengthy shipping times can sometimes indicate that a product refresh is imminent, but in this case, the supply chain could be to blame.
In its latest earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company underestimated iPad demand this quarter and had an issue with one of its suppliers. Cook said he does not expect the shortage to be totally resolved this quarter, and that could reasonably explain why the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is increasingly hard to find.
Apple analyst Neil Cybart of Above Avalon said Apple has been experiencing "increasingly noticeable supply chain troubles," as evidenced by long shipping estimates on products that launched months ago, such as Apple Watch Series 2 and AirPods. With a 2-3 week wait, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro can be added to that list.
Rumors suggest Apple will launch an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro with slimmer bezels as early as March—or as late as the second half of this year per hit-and-miss supply chain source DigiTimes. Apple is also expected to release updated 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models with faster A10X processors.
Japanese blog Mac Otakara said the next-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro will feature a True Tone display like its current 9.7-inch counterpart, using advanced four-channel ambient light sensors to automatically adapt the color and intensity of the display to match the light in the surrounding environment.
The new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will also gain the 9.7-inch iPad Pro's same 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and True Tone flash, and it will allegedly still have a 3.5mm headphone jack, according to the blog.
"We've got some exciting things coming on iPad and I'm optimistic about where things are headed," Cook said last week.
Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: Apple retail
Buyer's Guide: 12.9" iPad Pro (Neutral)
[ 104 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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34 months ago
I hope the fact that only the 12.9" is backordered doesn't mean that only the 12.9" will be updated... Apple really needs to get the Pros in sync feature-wise.
34 months ago
I really like the idea of the large iPad, but until they do something to advance the state of iOS on the iPad its going to be hard for it to ever be something that can more than a luxury/novelty to me. Having it run (practically) the same OS as the iPhone is something that I feel is really holding it back.
34 months ago
"We've got some exciting things coming on iPad ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/02/02/ipad-sales-continue-to-decline-whats-next/') and I'm optimistic about where things are headed," added Cook.
Keeps saying this even as iPad sales keep plummeting. At what point does reality hit him that the iPad's OS needs to be more robust than that of a phone if the general public is going to think of it as a viable laptop equivalent?
34 months ago
so when will apple actually make an OS that utilizes the screen size?
it's been a big iphone for years now!
it's been a big iphone for years now!
34 months ago
"We've got some exciting things coming on iPad ('https://www.macrumors.com/2017/02/02/ipad-sales-continue-to-decline-whats-next/') and I'm optimistic about where things are headed," added Cook.
Ya, a huge price increase. I think this is the only thing in Tim's pipeline these days.
34 months ago
#NewMacPro #MakeAppleGrateAgain (Get it? The cheese grater Mac Pro?) In all seriousness though, we need a new Mac Pro FAR before we need new iPad Pro.
34 months ago
Declining market about the same size as the Mac markets, yet regular updates. Sometimes this stuff is just unbelievable and you have to wonder just what does Apple strategy look like?
34 months ago
I have 2 old iPads and as much as I like the iPad it's crippled.
I've actually just ordered a Windows 10 tablet the other day.
Sorry Apple, we're no longer on the same page.
I've actually just ordered a Windows 10 tablet the other day.
Sorry Apple, we're no longer on the same page.
34 months ago
Meanwhile the iPad Air 2's shipping date has slipped to 7-10 days, while the 9.7 iPad Pro is in stock.
I think it is pretty clear the 9.7 Pro is going to replace the Air 2, hopefully also at iPad Air 2's lower price.
I think it is pretty clear the 9.7 Pro is going to replace the Air 2, hopefully also at iPad Air 2's lower price.
34 months ago
to Tim:
I need my ipad pro to be more capable like my macbook air. Like full-featured ms word, excel; true multi-tasking (dislike the split screen!), always on top dock.
I need my ipad pro to be more capable like my macbook air. Like full-featured ms word, excel; true multi-tasking (dislike the split screen!), always on top dock.
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