Apple will be releasing two new iPads next year. That is, if rumors prove true.
The rumor of a possible 10.5-inch tablet was reported by a Taiwanese supply chain.
Mac Rumors was able to obtain details of the report, including this statement:
"Apple is launching the 10.5-inch iPad mainly because 10-inch and larger tablets have been popular among enterprises and the education sector in the US. Its existing 9.7-inch iPad may be too small and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro too expensive for such procurement."
The 10.5-inch tablet is designed for the "enterprise and the education sector" in the United States. It will sport the Apple-developed A10X processor similar to that used by the high-end 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Reports also indicate that Apple already has an estimate as to how the new iPad will fare in the market. Around 2 million of the rumored 10.5-inch iPads will be sold during the first quarter of 2017. A total of 6 million of the new tablet is also expected to be sold next year.
The second tablet that Apple will launch in 2017 is a cheaper version of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The low-priced tablet is geared to compete with Android tablets in the market right now.
Apple currently has the 7.9-inch iPad mini, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, and 12.9-inch iPad Pro in its stable of tablets.
Some estimate that the possible launch of the new iPads will be on March next year. This coincides with the company's tradition of releasing specific lines on the same month. The iPhone 8, for example, is rumored launch will be around September next year. Almost all previous iPhone devices were released on September while previous iPads were made available on March. Plus, the report regarding the estimated sales for 2017 indicated that the new iPad will start selling during the first quarter of next year so there is a possibility that it will come out earlier than March.
