With Apple reportedly shifting its slate lineups, the new iPad Pro 2 is said to come out early next year with the new A10X chipset and a number of new improvements.

Given that the iPhone 7 has been released with the step-up A10 chipset, it is expected that another new version of the processor will be featured in other upcoming Apple products, including the new iPad Pro 2 slate. Having an A10X chipset for the new lineup means that the iPad Pro 2 will also include features and specs upgrades.

According to speculations, one noted improvement with the coming of an A10X chipset is having additional options for iPad Pro 2 interface. This reportedly includes an improved Apple Pencil. With the A10X chipset paired with the new upgrades in iOS 10, the Apple Pencil for the iPad Pro 2 is expected to be both a drawing and handwriting stylus. Though the current stylus add-on already has these features, it is constrained in just a few, select applications. With the specs upgrade for the next-generation Apple tablet, the new Apple Pencil will be able to expand its features in a multi-app environment.

In addition, the new specs upgrade is likely to update the iPad Pro 2 itself, opening up new features like direct annotations using the Apple Pencil.

Meanwhile, aside from having a new chipset, it is also said that Apple will be re-aligning its iPad tablet lineups. For the iPad Pro 2, the Cupertino-based tech giant is rumored to include a new 10.5-inch variant, in addition to the 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch versions. This means that the iPad Pro 2 will launch next year with three configurations. In addition, Apple will reportedly place the 9.7-inch iPad Pro 2 as its entry-level tablet, featuring an A9X chipset. The larger versions, meanwhile, will serve as the top-tier, premium models of the lineup.