Apple to launch three new iPads in next quarter; A 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2, low-cost 9.7-inch iPad and 10-10.5 inch mid-size model: Report

Noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has released a report for future iPad line-up set to be unveiled later this year. Ming-Chi Kuo is an analyst for KGI Securities, a financial services group in the Asia-Pacific region. He collects intelligence from his contacts in Apple's Asian supply chain,  interpreting the data he gathers into research notes for KGI Securities customers. According to him, Apple is set to release three iPads in next quarter, 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and a "low-cost" 9.7-inch iPad, along with a new bezel-free, mid-size model in the range of between 10 and 10.5 inches. 

According to him,12.9" model will be the second generation of the existing 12.9"iPad Pro, the 10-10.5" model will be the high-end model equipped with a narrow bezel design, and the 9.7" model will be the low-priced option. 9.7" model will come with an A9 chip made by Samsung LSI and the other two models will sport  A10X chip manufactured by TSMC (2330 TT, NT$183.5, N).

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"Although we estimate iPad shipments in 2017 will drop again YoY to 35-37mn units, we expect the decline to narrow to 10% from 2016's roughly 20%, given that the 10-10.5" model may see more demand from commercial/enterprises and tender markets, while the low-priced 9.7" model may have a greater shipment contribution and likely account for 50-60% of total shipments of new iPads," he added.

Earlier in August, Ming-Chi Kuo expected the mid-size model to be 10.5 inches. His latest prediction for the model to be between 10-10.5 inches suggest Apple still has not yet decided on the final size. Earlier Japanese site Mac Otakara, released two reports that stated the size of the tablets to be 10.1 and 10.9 inches. However, the exact dimensions are not clear.

Mac Otakara and Barclays Research have also predicted Apple to launch new iPad in early 2017 in the period between March or April.

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