Some new exciting iPad rumors for 2017 have come out, of which half of it is in line with previous rumors and leaks, while the other half is new. Most exciting is the belief that the first 10-inch iPad will be a bezel-free 10.9-inch iPad, and that the next line of iPads will be unveiled in March 2017.
The rumors or leaks originates from a research note by financial Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O’Malley, and Jerry Zhang, who quotes sources in Apple’s supply chain, who then get quoted again by MacRumors.
The Apple iPad 10.9 is supposed to be bezel-free or feature a borderless design. I don’t know how literally that should be taken, but it will be exciting to see. Thinner and thinner bezel have been the trend on high-end tablets and smartphones for years.
When Asus released the formidable 9.7-inch Asus ZenPad 3S 10 last Saturday, Asus reiterated the point made during their unveiling that it has the world’s thinnest bezel. And we are seeing similar design and technology trends on devices ranging from 7-inch Windows tablets to the upcoming bezel-less design jewel and 6GB RAM phone Xiaomi Mi MIX that will launch in December with its 91.3% screen-to-body ratio.
The 10.9-inch iPad itself is said to feature the same exterior size as the current 9.7-inch iPads, and that it is just the display size that is maximized on the iPad 10.9. This iPad may even be an iPad Pro 10.9.
A new iPad Pro 9.7 is then expected too, and to go down in price alongside the current 7.9-inch iPad mini 4 that is still expected to remain unchanged. The iPad Pro 12.9 is expected to be upgraded as well.
iPad Pro 12.9 getting a possible upgrade in 5 months
New features include 4 microphones for all new iPad Pro models as well as the inclusion of the 12MP rear iSight camera and True Tone LED flash on the new iPad Pro 12.9.
The latest iPad rumors or leaks in November are mostly in line with the October leaks and rumors, although it was believed in the Ming-Chi Kuo iPad rumors last month that the 10-inch iPad would be a 10.1-inch iPad. In August he believed it would be a 10.5-inch iPad, so there are three possible rumors to chose between, but the new bezel-less rumors gives credibility to something like a 10.9-inch iPad.
Apple’s iPads used to be considered expensive, but these days new iPads have started to become cheap. When iPad prices were cut after Apple’s September event, the iPad mini 2 had become available for around $230, while the iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2 were both available for around $350.
The last computer products to be launched from Apple lately are the new MacBook Pro laptops with their smart Touchbars, launched just a few days ago.
A glimpse into the near future of bezel less designs with the Xiaomi Mi Mix designed by Philippe Starck
– Tom Bowen
