“Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a new research report outlining his expectations for the future of Apple’s iPad lineup, predicting three new iPads ranging from 9.7 inches to 12.9 inches to be released in 2017,” Eric Slivka reports for MacRumors.
“According to Kuo, Apple is aiming to introduce a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model next year to go along with a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a ‘low-cost’ 9.7-inch iPad model,” Slivka reports. “Looking even further ahead, Kuo predicts ‘revolutionary’ changes for the iPad lineup for 2018 ‘at the earliest,’ with Apple making ‘radical’ changes to the iPad’s design and shifting to an AMOLED display.”
We expect three new iPads (12.9” iPad Pro 2, new size 10.5” iPad Pro & low-cost 9.7” iPad) to be launched in 2017… If the iPad comes in a larger size, such as a 10.5” model, we believe it will be helpful to bid for tenders within the commercial and education markets. As a result, we expect Apple to launch a 10.5” iPad Pro in 2017. In addition, we estimate the 12.9” iPad Pro 2 and 10.5” iPad Pro will adopt the A10X processor, with TSMC being the sole supplier using 10nm process technology. The low-cost 9.7” model may adopt the A9X processor, which is also exclusively supplied by TSMC… Revolutionary iPad model likely to be introduced in 2018F at the earliest, with radical changes in form factor design and user behavior on adoption of flexible AMOLED panel. We believe iPad will follow in the footsteps of the iPhone by adopting AMOLED panel in 2018F at the earliest. If Apple can truly tap the potential of a flexible AMOLED panel, we believe the new iPad model will offer new selling points through radical form factor design and user behavior changes, which could benefit shipments. — Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: That 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 will just have to tide us over until that flexible AMOLED panel iPad arrives!
Can’t wait to fold my iPad in my pocket!
And then watch as the center of the screen fatigues and snaps & breaks over time! That’d be special!
ROFL!
IF true, this sounds like there will no new iPads this Fall but possibly early 2017, say around March with the lineup being the following:
iPad mini (7.9″)
iPad Air 3 (9.7″ & A9X)
iPad Pro (10.5″ & 12.9″)
I wouldn’t mind a slightly larger iPad but on the fence about the 12″ one. I am so due to replace my pokey iPad 3.
Much as it is nifty kewl Gee Whiz! to have flexible AMOLED displays… I’m the sort of person who thinks those roll-up-into-a-cylinder screens in the movies are silly. Could someone please help me understand what flexible AMOLED screens are actually good for, besides advertising crawls?