Three iPads are expected in 2017, including two new iPad Pros. Read the latest rumours on the 2017 iPad Pro 2 specs, price and UK launch date.
Many were convinced that Apple would launch new iPads in March 2017 – and it did. However, the new 9.7in iPad is really just a tweak of the iPad Air 2 and we’re still waiting for the second-generation iPad Pro.
Things are slightly confusing because there are rumours of a new 10.5in iPad Pro, and no-one’s quite sure whether this is the follow up to the 12.9in model or a third ‘Pro’ tablet. Digitimes recently reported that Apple was stepping up production of the new model though, so we expect it to emerge at WWDC in June.
Whatever the case, all the new models are certain to be among the best new tablets coming this year .
Here’s a summary of what to expect from the iPad Pro 2:
The original iPad Pro, reviewed, launched in September 2015 and the 9.7in arrived in March 2016. We suspected an iPad Pro 2 reveal (and maybe a new iPad mini or an iPad Air 3) in September 2016, but it didn’t happen.
Now, the latest rumour via 9to5Mac, shows a photo of a stock system at an Apple retailer which includes cases for a 10.5in iPad. These are ‘New | Due June 2017’ which could mean they will go on sale at the same time as the new iPad.
The listing doesn’t specify ‘Pro’ though, whereas the 9.7in and 12.9in case listings do include this word. Since the 12.9in cases were new in February, this says nothing about the launch of a second-gen 12.9in iPad Pro.
Additionally, Apple has registered new iPad model numbers ahead of WWDC, hinting that a June arrival could be on the cards. According to Consomac, Apple has registered four model numbers that correspond with iOS devices with the Eurasian Economic Commission.
If the image above isn’t a hoax, or simply a guess by Urban Armor Gear (the case manufacturer) then it could be mere weeks until the new 10.5in iPad is announced.
But is this the iPad Pro 2? Many people seem to confuse the two, but we see the iPad Pro 2 as the successor to the original 12.9in iPad Pro. And the rumours all say there will be three new iPads in 2017.
Why the delay in their launch, though? Apple used an existing processor or the new 9.7in iPad, or at least one that didn’t require significant changes in manufacturing.
In order to produce a chip with significantly faster performance without high power consumption for the iPad Pro 2 (and, presumably the 10.5in iPad Pro) , Apple is having to move to a 10nm process. This isn’t easy, and it seems that it hasn’t been possible to manufacture the vast quantities Apple needs to launch new iPads, meaning a delay until later in the year.
The current A9X chip – which is used by both iPad Pro models – is based on the 16nm FinFET process. This is the same used by the latest generation of graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD.
Developers have discovered a new feature in Xcode, which is the software they use to produce iOSapps. It’s a new frame counter which now goes up to 120 rather than 60 frames per second. The iPad Pro 12.9 and 9.7 have 60Hz screens, which means they can display at most 60 frames per second. The thinking is that the increased frame counter means that the second-gen iPad Pro will have a 120Hz screen so it can deliver a smoother experience when using the Apple Pencil and also when playing games.
This bolsters earlier rumours which claimed that the iPad Pro 2 » will include faster display technology that allows for smoother zooming, panning and scrolling ».
A patent for a new Smart Keyboard shows new features such as search and share buttons – via Patently Apple .
A new concept video shows what the iPad Pro 2 might look like, including features from the iPhone 7 Plus such as the dual-camera.
Another rumour about the Pad Pro 2 says Apple is working on adding better support into iOS for the Apple Pencil, the optional stylus which works with only select apps on the iPad Pro models. Apple might add the enhanced support when it launches the new iPads in 2017 as an update to iOS 10.
However, it may wait and introduce them in iOS 11. The improvements are unclear, but it could be possible to use the Pencil to annotate in many more stock apps including Mail, Messages, Safari and others.
The Pencil itself should also receive an update, according to rumours on (not always credible) Weibo, and the Apple Pencil 2 is expected to attach to the iPad’s body using magnets and feature a pocket clip. Mac Observer points out that Apple does not currently hold a patent for a magnetic attachment to the iPad, however.
When it launched, the original iPad Pro didn’t come in a 256GB storage capacity but Apple added it to the line-up at the same time as the introduction of the iPad Pro 9.7. We expect the iPad Pro 2 to come in the same storage options which are currently available.
The iPad Pro 2 is sure to come in Rose Gold which is now available in most of Apple’s other products including the iPhone and MacBook.
It’s fairly easy to predict that Apple will at least match the 9.7in model when it upgrades the 12.9in version. That means adding the True Tone display which automatically adjusts the white balance for a more realistic experience, the 12Mp iSight camera with Live Photos and 4K video recording and the 5Mp front FaceTime HD camera with a Retina Flash.
Naturally, everyone will expect to see new features, and these could include a MacBook-style Touch Bar.
We expect that Apple will keep prices the same as for the current iPad Pro 12.9:
If you’re after Wi-Fi + Cellular prices, the current prices are as follows:
It would be nice, though, if the base model came with 64GB rather than 32GB.
This is all speculation on our part, but as rumours emerge we’ll add them here. We are perhaps a little too far away from the launch for anything juicy so check back soon.
There have been very few leaks. AppleInsider posted an image which supposedly shows a prototype of the iPad Pro 2.
In the image, the Settings app is open and reveals the model number of the device – » MH1C2CD/F « . This doesn’t match any existing models of iPad and, although it follows Apple’s numbering covention, it is fairly easy to spoof this information.
