10.5- and 12.9in iPad Pros on the way

Red iPhone 7 and a 128GB iPhone SE are also rumoured to make an appearance, reveals Leah Yamshon

Spring is just around the corner, which means we’re likely getting close to another Apple event – and the rumour mill is starting to churn. As first spotted by MacRumors, Japanese site Mac Otakara recently claimed that Apple will host an event in March with its new iPad Pro line-up in the starring role. From now until then, rumours about that line-up will swirl.

What’s the latest?

The rumour: Previously, we’ve heard that Apple will expand the iPad Pro to four sizes, including a 7.9in version (the same size as the iPad mini), the current 9.7- and 12.9in options, and a new 10.5in size.

Plausible? Since 10.5in iPad Pro is rumoured to have pretty major design changes, a later ship date could be a necessary evil. As MacRumors points out, retail supplies of the 12.9in iPad Pro are starting to dry up, which does hint at an iPad refresh just around the corner.

A new iPad Pro size

The rumour: When we first heard about a new iPad Pro size, it was 10.1 inches, but a more recent rumour reported in Mac Otakara claims that the new size is in fact 10.5 inches diagonal. Either way, the new in-between iPad may have an edge-toedge display with no Home button, to keep the same footprint as the current 9.7in size.

Plausible? iPad sales haven’t seen much growth lately, so a new size could be just what’s needed to shake up the line-up, but Apple will need to convince buyers that this new model offers some kind of benefit.

New iPad mini or 7.9in iPad Pro?

The rumour: Japanese site Mac Otakara says that the March event will include a new 7.9in iPad. But it sounds like this smaller iPad is part of the Pro line. The 7.9in iPad Pro is rumoured to have a Smart Connector, True Tone display, and a 12Mp

rear-facing camera, which will be standard features across the whole iPad Pro line-up.

Plausible? Absolutely, and this kind of feature parity is a great idea, so people can pick an iPad based on what size and storage they want for their money, not whether they need this feature or that.

What else the March event could hold

The rumour: Apple has a couple other refreshes in the wings, including a 128GB iPhone SE, new Apple Watch bands, and a PRODUCT(RED) version of the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which means half the proceeds go to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.

Plausible? Indeed, new Apple Watch bands should probably be expected at every Apple product launch. The iPhone SE’s popularity took everyone by surprise, but it currently tops out at 64GB, so a larger version could prove quite attractive, even if it doesn’t also come with a faster chip or camera upgrade. And Apple’s PRODUCT(RED) iPods all look incredible, so we love the thought of a shiny red iPhone that helps a worthwhile charity.