If you’re a lover of all things tablet, more specifically, iPad, Apple may have something of a surprise coming. Rumors which have the tech giant working towards the release of three new devices in 2017 have surfaced. One of the devices could be a 10.9-inch bezel-less iPad Pro 2.
New bezel-less iPad Pro 2
Could Apple be about to release a new range of devices with edge-to-edge displays? Currently one of the biggest rumors surrounding Apple is about 2017’s iPhone 8. Apparently, it will be bezel-less like the iPad Pro 2, at least according to this latest rumor. It comes from a research note issued by Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Jerry Zhang, Thomas O’Malley, and Christopher Hemmelgarn.
This latest iPad news suggests that the iPad Pro will increase in size to 10.9 inches. However, it will have the same enclosure size as the older 9.7-inch iPad Pro. The only way Apple would be able to pull that off is by removing the device’s bezel, and that’s where this rumor of a bezel-less design comes from.
Additionally, it is thought that Apple will keep the 3.5mm headphone jack, unlike on the iPhone 7. Also there will supposedly be four microphones installed per device, although the rumor doesn’t elaborate on what purpose they will serve. As for the bezel-less nature of the iPad Pro 2, this could mean that the Home button has been removed, but again, this is a rumor. We will have to wait for Apple for clarification.
Interestingly, though, this is not the first time we’ve heard rumors of a 10-inch iPad. Just a few months ago, KGI Securities analyst Min-Chi Kuo announced that a 10.5-inch iPad was under development.
Three new models
Apple’s current line-up of iPad Pros has proved to be popular, so much so that Apple is moving away from the likes of the iPad Air and Mini. So with this latest rumor, it looks as though it will continue to sideline non-Pro models. Also according to this rumor, there could be as many as three new models launched as early as March. These models include 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch devices and the strange, but tantalizing, 10.9-inch bezel-less iPad Pro 2.
Along with the three new models, rumors are also suggesting that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro will get an update. Some suggest that this will be in the form of a True Tone display similar to the one on the smaller 9.7-inch model. The iPad uses ambient light sensors to change the display’s color depending on its surroundings. This, in theory, helps make sure that the colors on that screen look natural.
Another current update rumor surrounds the camera; it will supposedly get a new 12MP rear sensor which is the same as the one found on the 9.7-inch device.
While this 10.9-inch bezel-less iPad Pro 2 is but a rumor, it seems to be resonating among iPad owners. Maybe those who own the smaller 9.7-inch device think it’s too small? We don’t know, but surely, the 10.9-inch and 12.9-inch models combined would sound the end of the line for the smaller of the three.
