2017 iPads Slated To Launch In Second Half, Specs And Features Revealed

The shipment of new tablets from Apple may not happen until the second half of 2017. It is said that the production of the tablets are still in the planning phases, citing update from the upstream supply chain.

The next variants for the iPad Air and iPad Pro lines may not arrive within the first half of this year, even though previous rumors claimed that the developer is preparing to launch the three new iPads this March, Apple has not confirmed this claim.

Details from the supply chain are now information on when fans should expect the new tablets. The reports claimed they have learned from upstream supply chain sources about Apple's plan to release new tablets for this year - a 12.9 inches variant, a 10.5 inches variant and  a 9.7 inches variant with the latter expected to launch with a wallet-friendly price tag. The 12.9 inches variant is going to be the most expensive variant of the three.

The sources added that, although, the 9.7 inches iPad will be entering into mass production in the first quarter of 2017, the other two variant will commence production sometime in the second quarter, will the three expected to launch in the second half.

There is also an update on the component suppliers of the new iPads. Appleinsider reported that Apple is moving away from current supplier Nichia and getting parts supplies for the display of the entry-level 9.7 inches tablet from south Korea-based Seoul Semiconductor, with other components sourced from secondary suppliers. The new 9.7 inches model is also estimated to be Apple's weapon in penetrating the education sector.

Apple is likely to source the components of the other two models from its primary sources and  will feature the A10X processor, Macrumors reported. The 10.5 inches and the 12.9 inches variant are designed to be tablets for the high-end sector. Obtaining components from primary supplier accounts for why the two models are going to cost higher than the 9.7 inches variant.

It is however, not clear what processor the 9.7 inches iPad will have, as it is said to focus on the education sector, in much the same way as the eMac and the MacBook Air does. There still no update with regards to the iPad mini series, and fans are beginning to think that the developer is abandoning the line. The last refresh of the series was launched in 2015.

The 9.7 inches variant will be Apple's entry-level tablet, while the 10.5 inches variant is being positioned to be the flagship device of the iPad line. The device is expected to launch with an edge-to-edge display sans a home button and the developer reportedly plans to keep a small part of the top bezel to reserve space for the front-facing FaceTime camera.

Rumor about a 10.5 inches iPad started circulating the internet in August, with claims the device will feature the same thickness as the iPad Air. The width of the device will be the same as the iPad mini, if it keeps the same proportion and pixel density as its predecessors.