By Shawn Knight on October 3, 2016, 1:30 PM
Apple is prepping a trio of new iPad Pro models that’ll be ready sometime next spring according to a recent report from Japanese blog Mac Otakara.
The site, which cites “reliable sources,” claims a new 7.9-inch Pro model will succeed the iPad mini 4. It’s rumored to have a Smart Connector like the one found on the current 9.7 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models, a True Tone display, four speakers and a 12-megapixel rear camera. The report doesn’t mention support for the Apple Pencil although my guess is that it will support the stylus.
The existing 9.7-inch iPad Pro will reportedly be bumped up to 10.1 inches and will pack a quad-microphone array as will the other two models. A refreshed 12.9-inch iPad Pro will also carry a True Tone display and a 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera with a True Tone flash.
Unlike the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, the next batch of iPad Pros will continue to offer a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s a bit odd that Apple is pushing to eliminate the jack on its smartphones but keep it on the tablet. It’s unclear if Apple will replace the physical home button with a stationary one as it has done with the new iPhones.
The report is somewhat in line with renowned Apple analyst Ming Chi-Kuo who says a 10.5-inch iPad Pro, not a 10.1-inch model, is inbound.
No word yet on potential pricing or a solid launch date.
