Update: A leaked screenshot suggests the 10.5-inch iPad Pro 2 could land in June. Read below for all the rumors we’ve seen so far for the iPad Pro 2.
You may remember that Apple launched its largest ever tablet in September 2015, the iPad Pro 12.9 that came with a huge 12.9-inch screen, supported the Apple Pencil stylus and packed a powerful processor – it was a big change to the iPad game.
We were big fans, giving it 4.5-stars in our full TechRadar review, praising the slate for its impressive front-facing speakers and great display among other things.
Then there was the iPad Pro 9.7, an iPad Air 2 replacement which came with a smaller screen, new True Tone technology and all of the features we’d already seen on the original iPad Pro.
But with 2017 now in full swing we need a new large-screen iPad, and the good news is it’s very likely we’ll get one soon: the rumored device is likely to replace both Pro models and may come in a third size too. Here’s everything we know so far about the iPad Pro 2.
Cut to the case
- What is it? The next tablet from Apple
- When is it out? June is now looking the likeliest date
- What will it cost? It’ll be expensive. Expect $799 (£679, AU$1249)
iPad Pro 2 release date
- A debut at Apple’s WWDC developer event in June seems likely
The original iPad Pro is well over a year old, but considering the iPad Pro 9.7 came out earlier in 2016 and demand for new tablets isn’t high at the moment, it’s no surprise that we’ve been waiting longer for an iPad Pro 2.
Based on previous releases an early 2017 launch around March was rumored, but as we now know, the Apple announcement in March was for a new iPad, that’s essentially an iPad Air 2 replacement.
There’s evidence that the iPad Pro 2 was originally heading for a March launch but that the slate was delayed, as TSMC – which is making the chips for it – has apparently seen lower than expected yields.
So where does that leave us? Well, according to an analyst speaking to Forbes a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro model has entered limited production, which could mean it’s coming soon, with a supply chain source claiming to MacRumors that it could arrive as soon as April.
That, of course, didn’t happen, but we might not be waiting much longer, especially as a leaked screenshot from an authorized Apple reseller shows a case for a 10.5-inch iPad as launching in June.
In which case we might see it at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), which takes place on June 5-9.
That rumor has been backed up by certain analysts, claiming that Apple will indeed unveil the new slate at WWDC, traditionally an event for software announcements rather than new hardware.
There is the argument that it would seem odd to launch new iPads so close together, so it’s just as likely that we’ll be waiting a little longer, and some analysts don’t expect to see it until October.
TechRadar’s take: We’re still very much expecting to see a new iPad Pro (or three) later this year – and WWDC seems the most likely date right now.
iPad Pro 2 price
There’s no news on pricing yet, so we only have the original iPad Pro’s pricing to go from. That starts at $599 (£499, AU$899) for the 9.7-inch model and $799 (£679, AU$1249) for the 12.9-inch one, so with pricing likely to be similar for the Pro 2 it certainly won’t be easy on the wallet – especially if a redesigned form factor appears.
iPad Pro 2 design
Hottest leaks:
- A slimmer, lighter slate
- Water resistance
- No headphone port
Not much is known about the iPad Pro 2 just yet – but leaked photos of a new Apple tablet have shown off what some believe to be the iPad Pro 2.
They came from a source working on the Chinese supply line – according to Apple Insider – and show off the tablet’s screen with a model number of MH1Z2CD/F.
That number’s not attached to any existing product, so it’d make sense for this to be the iPad Pro 2. The photos don’t show off any specific changes though, so it may look just like the original iPad Pro tablet – and now it seems likely to have been just the refreshed iPad Air.
That said, there’s a fair chance the company will try to make the new slates slimmer and lighter, as this is something Apple often does with new models and it could really benefit the larger model, as the iPad Pro 12.9 weighs a hefty 713g.
On the other hand, they could get thicker, albeit with a smaller overall footprint, as one leak claims a new 10.9-inch model will have the same length and width as the iPad Pro 9.7 but will be 7.5mm thick (where Apple’s current flagship is just 6.1mm).
That’s a redesigned device, and that’s what seems the most likely. Apple wouldn’t really wait this long to just tweak the internals, right?
The same source says the iPad Pro 2 12.9-inch variant will get 3mm thicker, making it 9.9mm thick.
Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, so this may be a change Apple brings over to the iPad range.
Apple may also make the iPad Pro 2 water and dust resistant, like the iPhone 7. While a tablet – which is typically used indoors – is arguably less in need of that protection it would still help defend it against spilled drinks.
TechRadar’s take: The main iPad updates will likely become slimmer and lighter, and we strongly believe the much-vaunted 10.5-inch model could be the redesigned version of the iPad Pro that takes center stage.
If the smallest iPad Pro gets a reboot, expect the same shape with just an internal spec boost.
iPad Pro 2 screen
Hottest leaks:
- Three sizes
- A True Tone display
- A fingerprint scanner built into the screen
According to a research note from a respected analyst, the iPad Pro 2 will come in three different sizes. There’ll be 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch models, just like with the original range, but there’ll also apparently be a 10.5-inch version.
There was some consternation that we wouldn’t be getting new iPad Pro models this year at all when the rumored launch date only spat out a few alterations to current models.
But analysts still believe that the new Pro models, including the new 10.5-inch option, are still on their way, so don’t worry that they’ll never appear. Apparently the production is just about to start, although its hard to know the validity of such a claim.
Recently we’ve heard additional details about that new size, including the fact that it will apparently be 2,224 x 1,668 in order to retain the same pixel density of 264 pixels per inch as the 9.7-inch model, and that despite having a larger screen it would have the same overall dimensions by reducing the bezel.
However, a supply chain source has also claimed that there’ll be a 10.9-inch model (presumably instead of the rumored 10.5-inch one).
The source believes the home button would be built into the screen – along with TouchID fingerprint scanning – to allow for smaller bezels, but we’ve heard this rumor for a long while with the iPhone and it’s impossible to see it coming this year, as it’s just too early.
These leaks don’t mention the resolution or any other details, but we can predict that all models of the iPad Pro 2 will come with a True Tone display, which debuted on the iPad Pro 9.7.
True Tone allows your tablet to alter the screen’s color temperature depending on the ambient lighting of where you use it, so you can see the image properly no matter what conditions you’re in.
Apple rarely changes the resolution of its device’s screens; in fact, it hasn’t upped the 9.7-inch iPad’s resolution since the iPad 3 in 2012. You could argue that it’s due a jump by this point, but the 1536 x 2048 display doesn’t feel lacking, so we expect the iPad Pro 2 9.7 will keep that sharpness.
Similarly, the iPad Pro 2 12.9 will probably stay at 2048 x 2732 and the iPad Pro 2 10.5 or 10.9 – if it exists, which feels unlikely given it would be far too close to the 9.7-inch model in screen size – will presumably slot somewhere in the middle.
We’d expect to see some improvements to the display, but like the addition of True Tone on the iPad Pro 9.7 these are likely to be software tweaks or technology improvements, rather than an increased resolution.
One such improvement could be 3D Touch, which debuted on the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. This essentially makes the screen pressure-sensitive, so a hard press on something will yield different results to a light one.
Bigger changes could come with the iPad Pro 3, likely in 2018, with talk of a curved AMOLED display.
TechRadar’s take: The iPad Pro 2 12.9 is bound to have a True Tone display since the iPad Pro 9.7 does, and Apple is likely to improve and refine the screen too, but probably won’t change the resolution, and a fingerprint scanner built into the screen sounds highly unlikely.
iPad Pro 2 camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
- A bigger battery
- Upgraded camera features, but not hardware
The iPad Pro 9.7 has a 12MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing one, so we’d expect at least that from the iPad Pro 2.
Chances are Apple won’t change the megapixel count, as both cameras on the iPad Pro 9.7 are already an upgrade on the iPad Pro 12.9’s snappers.
Although given that Apple stuck a larger lens on the iPhone 7 and a dual-lens on the iPhone 7 Plus it’s possible that it will bring one of those to the iPad Pro 2.
There’s no news on what the battery size will be, and in any case it’s likely to vary depending on which screen size you opt for. However it’ll likely be slightly more power efficient thanks to the optimised A10X chip.
TechRadar’s take: The camera is often an afterthought on the iPad range – and rightly so. As such we don’t expect big changes here, especially as Apple improved the camera for the iPad Pro 9.7, but a larger battery is likely.
iPad Pro 2 OS and power
Hottest leaks:
- A powerful A10X processor
- iOS 10
- 4GB of RAM
We’d fully expect the iPad Pro 2 will launch with iOS 10 – Apple’s latest mobile operating system software upgrade. iOS 10 includes big improvements to Siri, the ability to live broadcast apps, a new look (and a lot less clutter) in the Control Center and more besides.
It wouldn’t be a new iPad without a new processor and Apple is rumored to be sticking an A10X chip in the iPad Pro 2. A Geekbench leak suggests it’ll be far more powerful than the original iPad Pro, suggesting it’ll have a single-core score of 4236 and a multi-core score of 6588.
By comparison the original iPad Pro had a multi-core score of 5472.
We could also see more RAM in the iPad Pro 2, or at least the 9.7-inch model. The iPad Pro 12.9 already has 4GB of RAM, but the iPad Pro 9.7 has just 2GB, so it would make sense for Apple to push the new model up in line with the 12.9-inch slate (and if we get a 10.5-inch model to equip that with 4GB of RAM too).
It seems that the refresh to the smallest 9.7-inch model will be mostly about power – there’s very little to suggest that we’ll get anything more than just a boost to the CPU and RAM to help keep the Pro range at the right power levels for modern apps.
TechRadar’s take: It’s unlikely Apple will jump from two to six cores for the A10X chip, but it’s bound to be very powerful all the same, and a sharp step forward in graphics processing especially. 4GB of RAM across the board would make sense and iOS 10 is all but guaranteed – unless the launch is pushed to September.
iPad Pro 2 other features
Hottest leaks:
- A pressure-sensitive home button
- Improved Apple Pencil
The Smart Connector is bound to make a return, giving users an easy way to connect keyboards and other accessories to the slate. The iPad Pro 2 will obviously support the Apple Pencil and there’s every chance Apple will release new versions of the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard alongside it.
In fact, we’ve heard talk of ways in which the Apple Pencil might change, with the new version possibly having a magnet built in, so it sticks to your slate, and a clip on the side, so it doesn’t roll away.
Beyond that we can look to the iPhone 7 for other possible features, such as a pressure-sensitive home button, which could vibrate rather than physically clicking and do different things depending on how hard you press it.
TechRadar’s take: There’s no way Apple will ditch the Smart Connector, as it’s one of the iPad Pro’s defining features. We’re not convinced we’ll get a pressure-sensitive home button though.
iPad Pro 2 rivals
The iPad Pro 2, particularly in its larger sizes, is likely to be positioned as a laptop alternative, which means it will be competing with the Microsoft Surface Pro range, which is currently up to the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 and by spring 2017 should include the Microsoft Surface Pro 5.
These slates are powerful, expensive and support similar accessories, like a stylus and a keyboard. But they run Windows 10, which means an inferior app selection but a more laptop-like experience.
The original iPad Pro 12.9 and iPad Pro 9.7 will likely be rivals too, as they will probably stay on sale for a reduced price – and given the larger model especially still feels like it’s got power oozing out the edges, it will remain an attractive option, especially if it becomes more affordable.
There’s less direct competition from any Android slates, but despite getting on a bit the Google Pixel C could prove a tempting alternative, with its premium build, great screen and keyboard accessory – and we’re expecting Google to come out with a decent upgrade soon too.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 has arrived (along with the Galaxy Book) to provide another 2-in-1 alternative to the iPad Pro for those that love a bit of Android (or Windows, in the case of the Book).
The main selling point here is that each device will come with the S-Pen stylus in the box, where Apple’s Pencil costs extra.
And – laughably – Samsung has also created a Pencil version of its S-Pen… but this one is actually designed to look like an HB pencil, and we’re kind of in love with that move.
With so little known about the iPad Pro 2 we’ve run through some of the spec and design changes we’d most like to see on Apple’s next slate.
1. Bigger battery
The original iPad Pro 12.9 came with a mammoth 10,307mAh battery, but we’d like to see it upgraded on the iPad Pro 2 to make the battery life even more impressive. With a powerful processor and a huge 12.9-inch screen to power the battery did drain quite quickly on the original tablet.
Fingers crossed Apple will put a big focus on the Pro 2’s power optimization as well, to give us considerably better battery on the iPad Pro 2.
2. Free Pencil stylus
The Apple Pencil cost extra on top of the iPad Pro, so next time we’d like to see the Pencil 2 thrown into the box alongside the tablet. It’s not usually Apple’s style to offer accessories up for free, but the stylus is an essential part of the iPad Pro experience, so we’d like to see it included.
3. More storage
The iPad Pro already comes with up to 256GB of storage, but with no expandable memory and the positioning of the slate as a laptop replacement a version with even more storage would be great to see.
If Apple could up the top size to 512GB – ideally without upping the price – then there’d be plenty of room for all our apps, games and media.
4. Better front-facing camera
The front-facing camera is arguably the most important aspect of a tablet, as it can be used for video calls, so we’d like to see some improvements here and certainly hope the Pro 2 in all sizes at least gets a 5MP front-facing camera like the iPad Pro 9.7, rather than the 1.2MP snapper of the iPad Pro 12.9.
But ideally Apple will go further and equip the slate with a truly great front-facing camera, so we can make the most of video calling, as well as shooting selfies while lazing on the sofa.
5. Lighter build
The iPad Pro is heavy, especially in its larger 12.9-inch size. Right now there’s no obvious way to tackle that if you want a big tablet, but we’d like to see Apple shave off a little of the weight for the second generation. Whether that’s possible for Apple though is a different story.
Source: techradar.com
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