9.7 Inch Apple iPad Pro 2 Likely a Minor Refresh, Possibly First Apple Device to Launch In 2017 [VIDEO]
Apple has continued to keep a tight lid regarding its release plans for its upcoming new iPad Pro tablet models. The majority of the leaks and rumor reports have revealed that there will likely be three different iPad models that will be coming out this year. Among the new models of iPad Pro 2 will reportedly be budget friendly 9.7-inch variant that will allegedly retain the same design as last year's model.
According to a report from 9to5Mac, the next generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 will likely just be a minor update that will simply be including some updated internals. The report further cites a post from Macotakara, which claims that the 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 will still retain the same internal design.
There are of course a lot of advantages for Apple to retain the same design as the previous iPad Pro model. Keeping the same design and components will allow Apple to save on manufacturing and development cost, which means that it may be able to offer the updated 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 at a significantly lower price. The other advantage is that the previous generation's Smart Keyboard, accessory, and the Apple Pencil will still work the same way as before.
Macotakara also claims that the upcoming 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 will likely be coming with Apple's new A10X processor. The claim is based on Apple's history of alternating between an "X" version of their chip between the Apple iPhone and the iPad tablet that follows shortly after.
As an example, the Apple iPhone 6s came with an A9 chip, which was then followed by the iPad Pro with the A9X chip. Seeing as that the iPhone 7 was equipped with the A10 Fusion chip, an A10X on the next iPad Pro model would make a lot of sense.
With the lack of any official announcements from Apple regarding the next-generation iPad Pro's release, there is still no specific release window that has been pinpointed. However, seeing as that Apple may already have the capacity to mass produce the next 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2, the company may be launching the device sooner rather than later.
