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Apple to launch 9.7-inch iPad Pro, not Air 3; Smart Keyboard & Apple Pencil support likely

Apple will further differentiate the next-generation 9.7-inch iPad from its predecessor by making it part of the new iPad Pro line, according to sources. Much like the MacBook Pro comes in 13-inch and 15-inch sizes, the iPad Pro will soon come in 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch variations. This trend follows Apple not calling its 12-inch MacBook a new Air despite developing the product as an apparent successor to the MacBook Air.

The new 9.7-inch iPad Pro will debut at Apple’s Tuesday, March 15th event and begin shipping as soon as March 18th, we previously reported. The smaller iPad Pro will have nearly identical features and specifications as the bigger model, bringing along the A9X processor and RAM upgrades from the 12.9-inch model. It will also include the 12.9-inch model’s updated display technology to support the Apple Pencil.

We previously reported that the new 9.7-inch iPad model will include a Smart Connector, and now we have learned that Apple is preparing a smaller version of its Smart Keyboard cover attachment for the new model, and it likely will be ready for March. Like the 12.9-inch models, quad stereo speakers will be part of the hardware. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is also expected to come in the same colors and storage capacities as the larger iPad Pro, but the pricing will be closer in line with the iPad Air models it will succeed.

This new iPad Pro launch will also open up the door to Apple further simplifying its iPad lineup. Sources say that Apple is slowing down production of older iPad mini and original iPad Air models, meaning that the iPad mini 2 and first-generation iPad Air are likely to be discontinued upon the launch of the smaller iPad Pro. Apple will also introduce a new 4-inch iPhone 5se with an A9 chip, Live Photos and slightly curved edges plus multiple new Apple Watch band options at the March event.

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Comments

  1. Ramon (@akfg_fan) - 8 years ago

    Coming next year, iPad Mini Pro!

  2. Alex Simkin - 8 years ago

    I wonder what will happen to the iPad Air line. I guess the iPad Air 2 will continue to be sold, but its specs, with an A8 processor, are old. I wonder if the Air 3 will come out in October, and, if so, how they’ll differentiate it from the smaller iPad Pro.

    Any rumours as to whether Skylake MacBook Pros will launch at the March event? It’s been nearly a full year since the 13 inch Pro was last updated and a Skylake update would be nice.

    • matt3224 - 8 years ago

      I really hope they release a next gen MBP not a refresh. It’s been quite some time since they dropped the disk drive an slimmed the casing. I’m thinking in the space-grey?

      • Alex Simkin - 8 years ago

        A space grey MacBook Pro would be great. I don’t really mind how extensive the update is, but I just really, really hope that they don’t use the butterfly keyboard from the retina MacBook on it. It’s way too shallow and quite horrible to type on from my experience with it, so I hope they leave the keyboard as it is.

      • matt3224 - 8 years ago

        Alex, I think they should actually keep the butterfly keys but give them more travel, I quite like the additional stability and surface area.

      • pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

        I agree…the macbook pro is showing its age — it looks and feels fairly similar to the older thicker pro with the CD drive…

        They need a smaller form factor, with usb-C etc — BUT then they’d be too similar to the macbook range…

        I think they should get rid of the macbook air – or at least only sell the 11″… keep the macbook BUT lower the price to similar to the current macbook air 13″… keep the current macbook pro 13″ BUT get rid of the older version with the CD drive… then bring out a thinner macbook Pro WITH 2-3 USB-C, HDMI, card reader, force touch, 4K screen (5K for 15″) new processor, at least 8gb ram, butterfly keyboard — plus in the 3 colors… this will modernise, and properly update, but give it the ‘pro’ features (or added features) to make it stand out from the macbook series

    • Stephen Ellerington - 8 years ago

      I think this is the end of the iPad Air.

    • LG Grueger - 8 years ago

      I doubt there will be an ipad air 3 with 9.7 inch when there’s a 9.7 ipad pro. I think they’ll sell the air 2 untill next year there will be a pro 2. and then the pro 1 replaces the air 2 as the cheaper 9.7 inch pad.

    • Clearly they’re phasing out the iPad Air line & replacing it w/ 9.7″ iPad Pros. Much appreciated move I must say.

  3. kpom1 - 8 years ago

    This would be great news. I like the iPad Pro, but for many the 9.7″ size would be ideal.

  4. srgmac - 8 years ago

    I think this would actually help the iPad pro — I don’t think most people want a tablet that big…Just my 0.02 though.

    • applewatch20152015 - 8 years ago

      I’ve had the iPad Pro since launch day and LOVE it!! And now when I hold my wife’s iPad Air 2, I wonder how I ever got along with that smaller screen. I use the Logitech Create keyboard with it. It works great and the iPad is easy to pop in and out of the case for handheld use.

      • TechSHIZZLE.com - 8 years ago

        I’m with you-I use the Pro for about 98% of all computing I do. But SO many reviewers and commenerts lamented the size, and claimed that the size would be a reason not to get the Pro.

        A 9.7″ Pro might very well reverse the iPad sales decline.

        This is going to be HUGE if true.

      • iali87 - 8 years ago

        I just sold my ipad pro because of the size. I mostly read on it and it was annoying and heavy. Will get the smaller one on release.

      • pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

        For me the size initially put me off… i thought “wow…thats too big”…. but then i realise that i am using a 13″ laptop – and considering the size and weight, it’s not too big… but the price, and the upscaled app, and iOS put me off too… i think if they came out with a dedicated OS for the ipad and ipad pro (just like with TVOS) then i would be more inclined to get it.
        Although, if the price is right, and it has the keyboard case and pencil – then 9.7” would be a lot more tempting for me — i could use my laptop for more powerful things that would be best on a bigger screen and use the ipad for other stuff… the OS needs to be updated though.

  5. Do you know how much the 9.7 inch iPad Pro will cost?

    • marko - 8 years ago

      The article says….

      “The 9.7-inch iPad Pro is also expected to come in the same colors and storage capacities as the larger iPad Pro, but the pricing will be closer in line with the iPad Air models it will succeed.”

  6. just-a-random-dude - 8 years ago

    I wonder if this could be the reason why they initially pulled Pencil support for UI navigation in 9.3b1, they may not be lying about improving the support, they may have caught some issues on the smaller iPad Pro and wanted to rewrite it.

  7. marcuscnelson - 8 years ago

    If this is going under the Pro line, then it’s probably going to start at $599, right? Or are they going to kill the Air line and just have Mini and Pro?

    • LG Grueger - 8 years ago

      I think they’ll kill the air line and replace it with the ipad pro 9.7 inch line. Then in the fall there will come the pro 2 with 12.9 inch and 2017 the pro 2 with 9.7 inch. Plus the minis of cours. It wouldn’t make much sense to sell a 9.7 pro and a 9.7 air 3. Where would be the difference and the tablet market is just too weak for so many ipad lines i think.

      • razeheroblog - 8 years ago

        Hence why this is probably an iPad Air 3. I don’t get it, add 6 month old specs and call it a next gen device and price it more than what it is now?? I’d expect Apple to treat the Air the same they have treated the Mini, but not just completely discontinue the Air line, slap the Pro name on the 9.7 inch device and sell it like it’s brand new.

  8. RP - 8 years ago

    Smart move. It will spur pro app development and further differentiate iPads from other tablets as THE premium more capable device.

    • Daniel Beehn - 8 years ago

      I don’t disagree that it will spur app development–but it being a more capable device? Not in a million years.

      Or at least until iOS gets a proper file system.

      • RP - 8 years ago

        It looks like it’s on it’s way. Remember, mobile os’s were simplified because of the limitations of the hardware at the time. Those limitations (A9X) are starting be blown up. It’s an evolution than is dependent on the available technology. Let’s see what iOS 10 and above has to offer.

      • o0smoothies0o - 8 years ago

        iOS 10 for iPad only. Not that I want a file system but I’m sure it’s coming.

      • rnc - 8 years ago

        > Or at least until iOS gets a proper file system.

        iOS has a proper file system, stop your excuses.

  9. sword2pen - 8 years ago

    Wonder what the name will be? There needs to be something to differentiate it from the original larger Pro

  10. Great news, it this is released next month, I’ll be purchasing it the first day it’s available, I am looking forward to replace my “old” iPad Air!

  11. viciosodiego - 8 years ago

    Ipad pro mini?
    If done right, this could be the consumer version of the iPad pro.

  12. Haven (@havenyoung) - 8 years ago

    My guess of lineup after March 15: 12.9″ iPad Pro starting at 799 for 32GB, 9.7″ iPad Pro starting at 599 for 32GB, iPad Air 2 remains starting at 499 for 16GB, iPad mini 4 remains starting at 399 for 16GB

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      The iPad Air 2 has been on sale with many retailers ranging from $349 to $399 the last couple of months, so I don’t see Apple keeping it at $499.

  13. WTF is Apple doing? They’re killing me here. Is the future of iPad being pushed back to 9.7 inches vs. 12.9?

    • kpom1 - 8 years ago

      More choice. Remember, Steve Jobs believed 9.7″ was the “perfect size” and had to be convinced to release the 7.9″ version. My guess is that Apple sees this as a way to prompt upgrades (possibly also why it is getting the “Pro” moniker). The 12.9″ iPad Pro is bigger than a MacBook (though it is lighter, even with the keyboard).

    • Different use cases = different sizes. I’m an iPad power business user and travel A LOT. Never lugging around a 12″ iPad, main reason I stopped using laptops. 9.7″ is the perfect size for my use case. Not all of us sit in front of a screen all day working.

  14. taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

    Nothing new here besides the name being iPad Pro instead iPad Air 3. It was going to have smart, connector, 3 -4 GB of ram and an A9X processor. if they name it iPad Pro the name will be confusing to consumers. The different size iPhones have different names, the different six iPads have had different names.

    • dcj001 - 8 years ago

      There are multiple sizes of the MacBook Pro. Are consumers confused by this?

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

      Right now each size is treated as a line. The alternate way to do it (that the more mature products do) is have multiple lines with different sizes.

      ipad mini and ipad air just become the “ipad” line. The ipad pro line gain’s a size. 2 lines, 4 devices. People think if they want the advanced features of the pro or just go with the normal line. Then they pick a size.

      This seems where they are going. The macbook’s name makes it clear the air isn’t going to stick around. The rumored macbook air refresh is actually just a larger macbook.

      Macbook (2 sizes) and macbook pro (2 sizes)
      Ipad (2 sizes) and ipad pro (2 sizes)

      In the next 2-3 years we’ll probably have iphone (4″ and 4.7″) and iphone pro (4.7″ and 5.5″).

      Having that common middle size sit across both ends of consumer and pro lines seems to be a theme.

  15. Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

    I could have told you that. : p

    It seemed pretty obvious. My guess is it’s resolution will be higher like the ipad mini is a scaled down version of the 9.7. This would separate it from the air and have consistent ui space to the pro.

    • rettun1 - 8 years ago

      There were rumors that it was getting some sort of 4K display, but I feel like we would have more proof if it were actually true

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

      nice.

      The question now is not what a smaller pro is (we obviously have that answer) it’s what do they do with the ipad now? It seems awkward and dated being called the air 2. Do they come out with “the new ipad” (again) and drop the air naming with the next minor spec bump or does it need more of a refresh?

      What could an ipad look like when it’s not trying to be the best compromise of everything? Could it get far thinner and lighter at the expense of not pushing graphics further? What are normal consumers really interested in with ipads? I guess lightness, battery, and price?

      I think there isn’t a great reason to diverge the line unless they can really differentiate the products and the pro doesn’t seem too far in the pro direction that an ipad couldn’t reasonably do those things too. So maybe the ipad can push more in the other way.

  16. Scott (@ScooterComputer) - 8 years ago

    Hmmmm…how ’bout a LTE chipset and phone features? (obvs using Bluetooth headsets, duh) Would be a great thing for OEM/business types. Also would somewhat solve the BYOi issue and Apple’s reluctance to “split” iOS into a Work/Personal device like some other vendors have. People would still have their iPhones; work would be iPad Pro. Some Continuity/Handoff fairy dust would be neat too (all user to dial “work” calls from Personal iPhone, using work iPad cell plan).

  17. Jason McMinn - 8 years ago

    Psssbbbtttt – new Macbook Pro 15 and I want a 32 inch 5k display dammit!!

  18. appletechace - 8 years ago

    Wait… So some sort of iPad Pro Mini?

  19. Jamison.IO (@Jamison_IO) - 8 years ago

    Nice idea, but what I was really surprised to see when i played with an iPad Pro, was zero native handwriting to text recognition. I really like the feel of the Pencil, but since I am not an artist, I would use it for taking notes more than anything.

  20. Bad JuJu (@brijo00) - 8 years ago

    I wonder if they’ll rename the 5.5″ iPhone the iPhone Pro

  21. sewollef - 8 years ago

    I have genuinely been waiting for something like this. Assuming these rumours are correct, I shall be ordering one on launch day. My current iPad is getting long in the tooth.

  22. Jake Becker - 8 years ago

    VERY smart move, count me in for a space grey 64 gb.

    • kpom1 - 8 years ago

      My guess is that it will be offered in 32GB and 128GB versions only, just like the larger iPad Pro.

      • Stephen Ellerington - 8 years ago

        I was just thinking the same thing. I will be disappointed if this is the case as I was looking forward to upgrading to a new iPad 64GB but Apple is offering poor choices of storage nowadays.

  23. tohaklim - 8 years ago

    That’s what I wanted from 5se, a smaller, not inferior version. People who used both pro and air, which one is better for handheld use? I assume there are also more apps supporting 9.7, and the resolution stays the same

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

      I’m assuming the res of this ipad will be the same as the pro actually. Just more dense like the ipad mini so you’d have the same pro app problem. It may encourage more pro apps to be made since more devices in a more common form factor will be sold.

      While I like small phones I have no expectations of a 4″ phone ever being similarly speced compared to a larger phone. 4″ is on the smallest end of the 3 size spectrum – usually the middle size will be in both lines. 13″ mba and 13″ pro but no 15″ mba and no 11″ pro. I think the 5se really is just a spec bump to an existing line which is totally new outside of the “s” pattern but totally unremarkable – well rounded and good – but just average.

      I still anticipate a more drastic redesign of a 4″ and 4.7″ phone later down the road. If it were drastically smaller than it wouldn’t be necessarily inferior, even with lower specs, since it would be superior in how much smaller it is compared to the pro line.

  24. pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

    That’s interesting — but i am still struggling to understand the ‘pro’ part…

    They slapped on a huge price tag for an updated CPU – which they normally bring out… they added a keyboard case – new for apple, but not new in general, and not really ‘pro’… they did add new speakers – these i would consider pro… they did make it huge – the iphone 6plus was huge, but was not called ‘pro’…. They didnt add force touch, the pencil technically is a stylus (old tech), they didnt increase battery life and no real ‘pro’ feature…

    It just seems they called it pro because they are wanting to bring out a new line of ipads and move on from Air…

    Sadly Apple are no longer making high quality products that deserve the “pro” stamp… i think many who have used apple for many years will agree…

    • iamrefresh - 8 years ago

      I agree at least with the lack of 3D Touch. The iPhone has it but the “Pro” “Creation” device does not? I won’t buy one till it has it…. will get a 12.9′ when it happens.

      • kpom1 - 8 years ago

        3D Touch doesn’t do anything for content creation that the pressure-sensitive Apple Pencil can’t. I’m not saying Apple will never put 3D Touch onto the iPad, but it isn’t likely a top priority since it would add a lot of weight.

    • kpom1 - 8 years ago

      The Apple Pencil is far from “old” technology. It is way more advanced than a standard stylus. My guess is that with iOS 10 we start to see the iPad get more advanced software features.

      • pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

        the idea of the pencil is old tech — that’s what i meant…

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

      Screen res would be another thing – and 9.7″ screen with the dpi of the 12″ would allow more content to be displayed. Side by side apps in 50:50 mode would be like two portrait ipad mini screens.

      currently the ipad air 2 has to drop UI to wider iphone when in split screen.

      • pdixon1986 - 8 years ago

        The iOS itself is designed mostly with iphone in mind — otherwise you wouldnt have so much empty space…
        There are still a lot of apps that claim to have an ipad version, but it just an upscaled version to fit the screen size…

        They need a dedicated iOS that will allow you to take full advantage of an iPad… currently the ipad and iphone are too similar – and in essence, the iphone can do a lot more (unless you end up shelling out more money for a LTE ipad version)

  25. iali87 - 8 years ago

    Will played. This is probably so they can pump the price.

    • iali87 - 8 years ago

      Well

    • Greg Kaplan (@kaplag) - 8 years ago

      or drop the prices of the lower end devices. I don’t know why everyone thinks Apple will only ever raise prices when they have consistently dropped prices in lines in the past. The ipad pro can cost the same as the ipad air 2 so the ipad air 2 can be more affordable. Maybe there will even be minor spec bumps for the air but no redesign.

  26. triankar - 8 years ago

    patiently waiting for iPad pro mini…

    I hope they don’t neglect this very practical size. I totally love my mini, to the point where I’d probably drop the 9.7 and keep only two models in the lineup: an 8.9 (let’s say) and the 12.9.

  27. Rich Davis (@RichDavis9) - 8 years ago

    I don’t know if they are going to call it an iPad Pro, I think they’ll still call it iPad Air 3.

  28. DamoTheBrave - 8 years ago

    Excellent. Let’s hoped it’s specced out to sufficiently live up to its name.

  29. Liam Deckham - 8 years ago

    Can I please just get an extra 20 GB of storage space, please?

  30. omot okello (@omotzszq) - 8 years ago

    Remember some one from Africa who invented ipad / tablet / surface pros , quadcopter /drone including unmanned drone , education webe site , to learn from long distance all subjects including languages from world, two to three ways headphone adapters, cellphone battery charger and medium size car jumper cable and more . Omot okello is the one who made America technologies quicker. He is very fast to invent or create and design new products . Think about iPod or iTunes since 2003 to 2005. I just saying. Okay ! . I wouldn’t forgot those years WHEN I RECODED VIDEO MUSIC WITH MY T- MOILE PHONE TO PLAY THE VIDEO MUSIC BEFORE IPOD . That was 2003-2004 before invented my new computer to be a book in Colorado in 2007 . I called it Tweetweeli . This word is my own language . I wouldn’t say any thing about Apple company or Tim cook and his partners stole all my patents by using Satellite computer. That was lied . The truth was , It was the Government who use the Satellite to monitoring all patents . The government found I was doing excellent in my patents . Examples, I reinvented Flat TV and Flat computer in 1998 in Sioux Falls South Dakota . I created or I invented my own wet toilet tissues or hand paper towel in 1999 in Minnesota . I did little researches for healthy some thing medicine before I started my college in 2002 in Minnesota . In 2006 – 2007 They started to built new flat TV and Flat computer . Guest what ? Every bodies are watching me 24/7 what I am going invent next including my nightmares . They don’t want to miss any patents . But I don’t like this control . It is domestic abuses and violating human right . It is a technology . Not a crime . That the government give millions dollars every years to students in to learn some thing and to smart people to be engineers ,scientists , engineer scientists or inventors and so on . I am omot okello who invented ipad /tablet , quad electric motors with video camera on it . I also created distance education web site , But I didn’t finished yet . But you can see the Sample on line . If you want to learn any language. I am on suffering so bad in America after I done some things very important . Apple and Drone companies make suffering . I am Africa inventor.

  31. Abhilash Kumar - 8 years ago

    what will be the price of smaller ipad pro??

  32. Barry Lauster - 8 years ago

    No 4k display no buy.

    • razeheroblog - 8 years ago

      A 4K display, on a tablet?? Pff, no thanks!! I prefer performance instead. I do not want another iPad 3 fiasco where not only was the device trickier and heavier, but needed a bigger battery and the device just had problems. I’ll be fine with 1440p. Also, considering it MAY have 6 month old specs, it becomes even more doubting.

  33. razeheroblog - 8 years ago

    You guys seriously think that not only will it not be called iPad Air, but that they’ll add 6 month old specs, slap a “pro” on the name, and sell for an extra $50 – $100 more than it is now??? Oh man, I really do hope you guys are off with this one. It’s clear, if they are in fact adding iPad pro specs, they’ll leave one to two major features out, and more likely be a next gen iPad Air, they did it with the iPad Mini 4.

  34. David Brunckhorst - 8 years ago

    They’re doing it just so they can charge more. In essence, that is a new Air 3, but they are rebranding it as Pro. Nice one Apple!

  35. No, we’ll have iPad Pro Mini next year then thinner 12-inch iPad Pro be called iPad Pro Air! After 2-3 years, we’ll have iPad Pro Air Mini, lol

  36. Please let it be a fully speced Pro in a 9.7″ size. As a power iPad user this a great sweet spot.

  37. Thomas Hernadi - 8 years ago

    The thing is, I haven’t touched my iPad in almost one year any more and gave it to my children for watching Online-TV services. I just don’t need it. Most of my friends experience the same. I’d rather use my Air ’cause as a writer I need to type a lot. iPad + keyboard (Logitech, Apple or whatever) have almost the same weight and battery life is almost the same too. So whatever Apple will launch, I don’t bother any more. iPhone is sufficient for me.

  38. David Vafa (@journey99) - 8 years ago

    I think this is a fast, great thought!! Maybe $50 lower and comes w a ApplePencil!!

  39. David Vafa (@journey99) - 8 years ago

    Lik the iPad Mini 4. :P

  40. David Vafa (@journey99) - 8 years ago

    I just read some posts from the article I think $599 & 699 are good but it’ll still be a lot of Canadian dough

  41. Jenny Jonson (@iJJonson) - 8 years ago

    Your next Laptop should be as awesome as you are. The true MacBook fan, honestly believe that the MacBook Pro is still cutting edge technology, being far & away better than any “other Laptop or Notebook on the Planet.”
    Yes, the Mac Pro is still a stunning piece of kit, well put together and fantastic to look at.

  42. Ramesh Chinmadams - 8 years ago

    why it’s still not available in volgograd,Russian federation