Low-Cost iPad Not Among the New iPad Models Spotted in Device Logs Earlier This Month

Back in mid-March, mobile marketing company Fiksu spotted four new iPad identifiers in its device data, hinting at the imminent release of new hardware.

We did indeed see a new low-cost 9.7-inch iPad introduced via press release on Tuesday, March 21, but as it turns out, the identifiers for the new 9.7-inch iPad don't match up with the iPads Fiksu saw, suggesting there could still be additional iPad models set to be released in the not-so-distant future.

fiksuchart
The new iPad's identifier is "iPad6,11" and "iPad6,12," with one number each for for Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models. Fiksu, meanwhile, saw the following identifiers in its device logs:

- iPad7,1
- iPad7,2
- iPad7,3
- iPad7,4

These numbers could perhaps refer to new iPad Pro models in two sizes, 12.9-inch and either 9.7-inches or perhaps the new rumored 10.5-inch model. The identifiers Fiksu saw are similar to the existing identifiers for the current 9.7 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) - iPad 6,7
- 12.9 inch iPad Pro (Cellular) - iPad 6,8
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi) - iPad 6,3
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro (Cellular) - iPad 6,4

In the original report, Fiksu said the number of new iPad models in its data was steadily ramping up, and that in its experience, those increasing numbers indicate an "imminent" release. Fiksu suggested the new iPad models could launch within a month, which would put a release somewhere around mid-April.

There has been a lot of confusion around iPad Pro launch timelines. Rumors originally suggested a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model, and perhaps a new 12.9-inch model would launch in the spring alongside the low-cost 9.7-inch model, but we only got the latter.

It is now unclear when we will see new iPad Pro models. The release of a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad (and a new iPhone color and new Apple Watch bands) via press release seems to suggest we aren't going to see a spring event and thus no spring launch of new iPads, but it's not an impossibility.

If a spring debut doesn't happen, we could potentially see a launch at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June or Apple could hold off on a launch until the fall, introducing iPads alongside new iPhones in September. At this point, Apple's iPad plans are murky at best, and we'll need to wait for more information to narrow down a release timeline.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPad
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

gadlaw Avatar
92 months ago
Checking daily. I still think it's an April release based on the information available.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dominiongamma Avatar
92 months ago
Checking daily. I still think it's an April release based on the information available.
Disagree, no parts, information hasn't been leaked. I'm thinking won't be until fall or spring 2018
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JeffyTheQuik Avatar
92 months ago
Any info on what OS they were running?

I'm thinking if it's 11.0, then we're looking at Fall, if it's 10.4, then we still have a chance!

Of course, I'll take a 10.5in one with an A11X in the fall over a 10.5in A10X now.
[doublepost=1490640132][/doublepost]
There's no way we see a next gen iPad Pro before WWCD. You have to believe that next gen hardware is going to ship with new features and APIs we have yet to see today meaning the earliest we'll see it is after iOS 11 is revealed. This means there's a glimmer of hope that WWDC brings us new iPad Pros.

However, the longer we go without seeing a single part leak, the less likely this becomes. I can't understand how anyone believes these rumored launch time-frames when we always see casings, screens, chips, or other pieces prior to the launch. Do we really believe Apple has improved their security in this matter this much?
Maybe Tim triple downed on security...

However, since iPads don't carry the same weight as the iPhones, in terms of revenue to Apple, the leaked parts may not carry much value. That's just a supposition, though.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mascots Avatar
92 months ago
There's no way we see a next gen iPad Pro before WWCD. You have to believe that next gen hardware is going to ship with new features and APIs we have yet to see today meaning the earliest we'll see it is after iOS 11 is revealed. This means there's a glimmer of hope that WWDC brings us new iPad Pros.
History leans towards Apple forking a version of the current OS in order to implement new hardware features for iPad rather than waiting for the next major version of iOS to ship.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DoctorDoctor Avatar
92 months ago
I sure hope new iPad Pros are coming. I want to upgrade my Air but I am holding off.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iMacmatician Avatar
92 months ago
Any info on what OS they were running?

I'm thinking if it's 11.0, then we're looking at Fall, if it's 10.4, then we still have a chance!
According to Fiksu ('https://fiksu.com/blog/dont-treat-yourself-to-an-ipad-just-yet-fiksu-dsp-data-reveals-new-models-on-the-way/'),
All four devices [are] all running either the latest public version of iOS — 10.3 — or the as-yet-unreleased iOS 11.
There's also another tidbit related to these models:
One thing we didn’t see is tests being done outside of the immediate surroundings of Apple HQ. In the past, we’ve seen tests in scattered locations around the globe — this could mean that the release is still a bit further out. On the other hand, it may be that international testing just isn’t as important for this release.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...