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New 9.7-inch iPad Pro may best 12.9-inch model with 12MP camera, 4K video

ipadpro-21

While Apple’s upcoming 9.7-inch iPad Pro will mostly match the 12.9-inch version in terms of functionality, there likely will be one key difference. Internal prototypes of the smaller model include a 12 megapixel rear camera comparable to the sensor in the iPhone 6s, according to sources. The 12.9-inch model that shipped this past November has an eight megapixel rear camera.

Given that the smaller display yields a more portable form-factor, it would make sense for Apple to promote improved photography on its 9.7-inch tablet. The 9.7-inch iPad Pro’s predecessor, the iPad Air 2, includes an eight megapixel rear camera. Like all recent iPad models, the new version will include a FaceTime HD camera on the front above the display. Like the 6s, the 9.7-inch iPad Pro would also record 4K video.

Aside from the upgraded camera, the new 9.7-inch iPad is very much a smaller variant of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro: it includes the A9X processor, screen technology that supports the Apple Pencil, quad speakers, and a Smart Connector. Apple is also readying an optimized Smart Keyboard cover. The new iPad Pro model is also expected to include an updated display that features brightness and anti-glare improvements over the iPad Air 2.

Sources expect the new iPad to debut on March 21st alongside the 4-inch iPhone SE and new Apple Watch models.

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Comments

  1. bpbatch - 8 years ago

    No matter. I can’t fathom using an iPP for taking photos. I can’t even hold mine with two hands, and then try to take a picture at the same time.

    • cdm283813 - 8 years ago

      I just want to slap someone when I see people taking pictures with an iPad. Tells me how uninformed they are.

      • David Di Franco Jr. - 8 years ago

        “Tells me how uninformed they are.” Excuse me? Who are you to tell others what they can take photos with? As long as they’re doing so while not bothering others, I see no problem whatsoever in using an iPad for photography — especially if it’s convenient for the user.

      • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

        I use both camera often for FaceTime and Skype calls. The improved front camera will be very welcomed for FaceTime videos, i prefer FaceTime calls with my iPad Air @ vs my iPhone 6 Plus.

        As far as photos i have used my iPad more for shooting videos then taking stills.

        If somebody feels comfortable taking photos or shooting videos with an iPad why should you care?

      • bpbatch - 8 years ago

        I think it depends on the situation. Concerts? No. Too rude. Facetime makes sense. If one just isn’t a social jerk about photos, it could work.

      • Craig Waddington ✩ - 8 years ago

        The iPad is the only camera my old Mum can use since she is going blind. I am not sure she is the uninformed one.

      • Julian P Hunt - 8 years ago

        I take offense to this as to uninformed we are – I am a low-vision individual with near blindness, the iPad 9.7″ allows me to use the iPad well enough to see the screen – I got rid of my iPhone as the screen is too small. So before you make snap judgements please consider the multitude of people with disabilities out there who are not as “fortunate’ as you to be fully sighted. Shame on you!!!

      • Paul Bowers - 8 years ago

        So the camera on the iPad is for what reason? You sound bitter in addition to being a dim wit. There are those of us who have used an iPad to take a picture, but for clarification, is there any way that the ill informed can steer clear of your enlightened state?

      • William Kwok - 8 years ago

        If you are a former photographer, with the software for post editing is great. That is a hell of a lot of power under anybody’s finger tips. If you are not a shooter, to bad because you will not appreciate what an I pad pro has to offer especially the 9.7 I Pad Pro. Beats carrying all that gear, OCH.

  2. Jake Becker - 8 years ago

    Yep, pulling the trigger on this one.

    • taoprophet420 - 8 years ago

      I can’t decide if I want to upgrade to the new 9.7″ iPad or wait for the next 12.9″ iPad Pro. My AT&T next plan has 3 months remaining for my iPad Air 2. Not sure to upgrade earlier or wait and see what is and when is rumored for the next 12.9″ iPad Pro.

      The 4 speakers, improved FaceTime camera and smart connector are enticing.

      • ValourBaby (@valourbaby) - 8 years ago

        I upgraded to the 12.9 iPad pro from an iPad air 2 on At&t next plan and I can’t even imaging going back to that 9.7 inch form factor. I love the iPad pro, the bigger screen makes me take the iPad more serious when it comes to productivity. I still have my iPad air 2 and every time i pick it up it feels like a toy lol my girlfriend doesn’t even like using it anymore after using the iPad pro. I will say that it will take a day or two to get use to the iPad pro. When you first take it out the box it seems ridiculously big lol like huge all you can do is laugh at how big it seems at first then when you use it for a while theres no going back.

  3. viciosodiego - 8 years ago

    Ipad pro for taking photos?
    UGH, no thanks.

    • Jake Becker - 8 years ago

      But people will cry “planned obsolescence” and that the Pro 12″ is “crippled” because the camera isn’t quite as amazingly awesome as this new thing which hasn’t come out.

      • bpbatch - 8 years ago

        LOL! I felt cheated a bit when I first read this article. Then I thought, wait a minute! :)

  4. cameroncovington - 8 years ago

    Any word on price point?

    • viciosodiego - 8 years ago

      Probably, $449 32gb and $600 for 128gb.

      • Name_O - 8 years ago

        Rumor says the price will be somewhere between the Air 2 and the 12.9-inch Pro’s, and it’ll be closer to the Air lineup. So I’m guessing around $599 32GB and $749 128GB, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were +$50 to the price I listed.

      • Paul Peachin - 8 years ago

        $750 – for 128 gig $100 for pencil …………price points

  5. joannbendzsas - 8 years ago

    As an owner of the 12 inch pro this is infuriating. If you don’t want to shell out the type of money I paid then you shouldn’t get my type of specs.

    • flaviosuave - 8 years ago

      I know, right?!?! I paid over $2k for this MacBook Pro a couple years ago, and now people are spending that same amount for way more processor speed, faster hard drives, and a better screen It’s like they keep improving technology at the same price point with every new product release. OUTRAGEOUS!!!

  6. Name_O - 8 years ago

    The article says the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is expected to get an updated display. I wonder if it indicates the higher resolution that matches the 12.9-inch Pro’s or just the updated refresh rate for pencil support. I hope it gets a higher resolution, just like the 7.9-inch mini is smaller than 9.7-inch Air yet it has the same resolution as the Air.

  7. Edward Santiago - 8 years ago

    How about an iPod Pro?

  8. Derexed - 8 years ago

    At this point it feels to me that they’re including gimmicky features just to justify a “Pro” price increase… Sadly I’m expecting a 32GB Wi-Fi model priced at € 699 (here in Europe the Air 2 is from € 499 and the Pro from € 919). I guess I’ll wait this new iPad just to buy a discounted Air 2.

    • Stephen Ellerington - 8 years ago

      I think I might follow suit and save money by getting an iPad Air 2. I think 64 GB is the right amount of storage for me and if the new iPad Pro is only available in 32GB and 128GB then it’s a compromise too far for me.

  9. Liam Deckham - 8 years ago

    Why is it so wrong to ask/hope for 256 GB of storage? Technically, it is possible. I am on this site, so I obviously drink the Kool Aid, but why do we have limits on our expectations of Apple? Surface Pro offers 1 TB and their full OS. I am just sick of having docs loaded in Pages, then in Word, then in GoodReader, then somewhere else based on different needs and uses. I get shivers thinking of a Surface Pro-like device for the Mac – That would be my dream tool!