Apple iPad Pro 2 may release in May as revamped 9.7-inch, 12.9-inch variants
The Apple iPad Pro 2 has been in the rumor mill for quite some time now. Although there are a lot of discussions regarding the tablet, fans are still uncertain of its specifications, new features, and release date. Nonetheless, a recent report may indicate that Apple is going to release the new device in May.
According to Apple Insider, its random spot checks in 20 different Apple retail stores reveal that the 12.9-inch variant of the iPad Pro has been low in stocks for quite some time now. One staff from the retail stores even mentioned that it has "been a while" since the store received stocks of the iPad Pro and there has not been any guidance regarding the matter.
Aside from this, the same variant is also sold out on Apple's online store. Customers who are interested in purchasing the device will need to wait two to three weeks for delivery time.
With this, there are speculations that this may hint an upcoming release of the iPad Pro 2 on May 16. The launch may be a quiet debut and may pertain only to a refresh of the existing 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch variants, similar to the refresh made by Apple for the iPad 2017 in March.
Meanwhile, there have been talks that the iPad Pro 2 will come in three variants, namely, the 9.7-inch, the 10.5-inch, and the 12.9-inch. While the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch units may simply be refreshed models, the 10.5-inch is expected to be new in the market and may be unveiled at a later date.
Last month, Rhoda Alexander, director for tablets and PCs at IHS Markit, told Forbes in a phone interview that the new iPad Pro with 10.5-inch display screen is expected to have the same size as the 9.7-inch variant because of its smaller bezels.
She explained, "You end up with a unit that's the same physical size as the 9.7-inch." However, the display resolution is expected to be bigger at 2224x1668 pixels, from the older model of 2048x1536 pixels.
The iPad Pro 10.5-inch variant is also expected to have an improved aspect ratio so that the device can project a balanced-out dimension with the smaller bezels, revealed Raymond Soneira, president of DisplayMate Technologies and a display expert.
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro 2 variant may be announced in September.
