According to reports, 2017 is going to a big for Apple’s tablets with the release of three new iPad models. KGI Ming-Chi Kuo, a renowned securities analyst, reports that Apple has scheduled the release of 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2, 10.5-inch iPad Pro and 9.7-inch iPad by next year. The new devices’ will be designed with edge-to-edge displays which will increase the screen size a little. It is also expected that Apple will introduce OLED displays on new iPads by 2018.
If the reports are correct, Apple will be dividing the iPad lineup into new pricing tiers, with the 9.7-inch iPad becoming the low-cost version. The new 9.7 inch iPad will run on A9x chip while the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and 10.5-inch iPad, will run on A10X SK Units. Judging by the availability of new features, it seems that Apple is planning on keeping all the products in sync by providing same functionality and internals across its products. For example, the A10 chip is also expected to power the new iPhone 7 while the new edge-to-edge screen feature will be introduced in iPhone 8 which is expected to release in 2017.
Furthermore, Kuo speculates that by 2018, Apple will release an iPad with a flexible AMOLED display. This major change will be accompanied by radical changes in form factor design and user behavior, though we are not exactly sure what to make of this statement from Kuo. Considering that it’s a tablet form factor, a flexible AMOLED display should not change it in any way, even if it’s curved at the edges to take advantage of the flexibility.
There is no mention of where the iPad mini will stand in this rumored future lineup. Kuo is a reliable source since the details are extracted straight from the supply chain, however, we recommend that these reports be taken with a grain of salt.
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