iPad Pro Tablet Rumors: Apple To Release 3 New Models In Spring 2017?

Now that the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus flagship phones are on retail shelves, Apple is readying to release its next round of iDevices. Rumor has it that the Cupertino, Calif. based company will release a trio of new iPad Pro tablets sometime around the spring of 2017. According to MacRumors via Japanese blog, Mac Otakara, the new iPad Pro slates will include 7.9-inch, a 9.7-inch and 10.1-inch models.

The new report also indicates that “well placed sources” say an upcoming 12.9-inch model iPad Pro will arrive sporting a True Tone display. This technology employs enhanced four-channel ambient sensors to match surrounding brightness to auto adapt the display’s color intensity. This is identical to the display technology found on the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Another feature the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will borrow from its scaled down predecessor is its 12-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera and True Tone Flash hardware combo.

Successor to the iPad mini 4, the rumored upcoming 7.9-inch iPad Pro will also feature the same True Tone display and shooter as the 12.9-inch model. Also on its specs sheet will reportedly a smart connector and four speakers. Although Apple made the decision to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack for the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, it will retain it in the new iPad Pros. Tipsters also allege that the 2017 iPad Pros will have quad microphones—a boost the current dual mic setup on the current models.

This new information about the Apple plans to release new iPads seems to fall closely in line with a previous report from industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities. Back in August, as Apple Insider reports, Kuo suggested that Apple was planning to refresh its iPad line-up, but there was no mention of a 7.9-inch version. Instead, Kuo said the trip would include a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2, a 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a budget-friendly 9.7-inch iPad.

As MacRumors notes, Mac Otakara was spot on about the removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack as well as the new colors. The Japanese blog’s “reliable sources” could be right on this call too, we’ll just have to wait until next year to find out. Any rumors and leaks pertaining to upcoming devices from giant brands are best taken with a proverbial grain of salt.