Apple is expected to introduce brand new iPhones towards the end of this year, but before that, it looks like the Cupertino company isn’t quite finished with its current iPhone line-up. According to rumours, Apple will introduce new iPads, along with 128GB variant of the iPhone SE, and red colour iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus at an event scheduled for March 2017.
According to Japanese website, Macotakara, Apple will introduce four new iPad Pros – 7.9”, 9.7”, 10.5” and 12.9” models. If true, this would mean that Apple would replace the iPad mini line-up with a brand new 7.9” iPad Pro model. This rumour hasn’t been very consistent though, both Barclays and KGI Securities never mentioned anything about a 7.9” iPad Pro model, so it could be replaced by the 10.5” iPad Pro instead.
But how could a 10.5” iPad Pro replace a 7.9” iPad mini that is so much smaller? Macotakara previously mentioned that the 10.5” iPad Pro would have the same overall footprint as an iPad mini thanks to an edge-to-edge design. There will still be a bezel at the top for the FaceTime camera, but just like the iPhone 8 rumours, there will be no Home Button on board.
As for the 9.7” and 12.9” iPad Pros, they would be an upgrade to the current iPad Pros. The 9.7” iPad Pro will be a “low-cost” device featuring an A9X chipset, while the 12.9” variant, along with the new 10.5” iPad Pro, will likely be powered by a new faster Apple A10X chip.
Finally, if you were hoping that Apple would introduce a new “mini” iPhone, you might be in for a disappointment. Macotakara said that Apple will only introduce a 128GB option for the iPhone SE. The website also adds that Apple will introduce red colour option for its current iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. This would likely be part of Apple’s (Product)RED initiative.
Again, while Macotakara has a pretty decent track record in terms of Apple rumours, always take things with a pinch of salt. Apple could always change its mind before the event, so don’t get your hopes up too high.
(Source: Macotakara, MacRumors via: Engadget)
