iPad Pro New iPad Pros?

[EugW]

It looks like the new iPad Pros will require a new Smart Keyboard too if they really do upgrade the camera design.

Then again, it only matters to those already with the 2018 models, but there’s much less reason to upgrade from the 2018 models. For everyone else wanting the Smart Keyboard, they’d have to get a new keyboard regardless, since the form factor drastically changed in 2018.

 

[kp98077]

New iPad Pros are pretty much guaranteed in the next few months. As soon as Tim gets word that I couldn’t last a week without an iPad and bought the 2018 model today he will approve the launch.

Hmmm, I just bought a 12.9 IPad Pro a few days ago ... wondering if I should return it or not...? Ugh... lol

 

[EugW]

Hmmm, I just bought a 12.9 IPad Pro a few days ago ... wondering if I should return it or not...? Ugh... lol

If you need it then keep it, but I personally would return it and wait, unless you got a great deal on it.

OTOH, there is always a chance it won't get updated any time soon, meaning you could be waiting until Q2 2020.

You decide. I'm personally waiting for an updated 11".

 

[kp98077]

If you need it then keep it, but I personally would return it and wait, unless you got a great deal on it.

OTOH, there is always a chance it won't get updated any time soon, meaning you could be waiting until Q2 2020.

You decide. I'm personally waiting for an updated 11".

Thanks! It seems from several of the write ups/reviews it would be early to mid-2020, given that I would be ok keeping it... I was just concerned a new12.9 would come out Sep/October.... really doesn’t seem likely to me.....

 

[rumz]

Thanks! It seems from several of the write ups/reviews it would be early to mid-2020, given that I would be ok keeping it... I was just concerned a new12.9 would come out Sep/October.... really doesn’t seem likely to me.....

I am waiting until we see what Apple announces this fall. While the rumor mill has been a lot less specific about iPad Pros than, say, iPhones, until recently the best intel we had was that new iPad Pros would go into production between Q4 2019 and Q1 2020.

Over the weekend there was a report from Mac Otakara that claims refreshed iPad Pros will launch in October. This makes it seem more likely that launch will be closer to Q4 2019 rather than late Q1 2020 (usually Q1 events are in March).

When Apple has October media events-- which they don't always have, but seem to have most years-- usually they happen near the end of October. They could easily announce them there, and have them shipping sometime in November, which lines up with Q4 production.

We don't know anything for certain, of course-- it could be late Q1 before we see them. I'm one of the few who shares the opinion that Apple would likely want to have some new hardware to really showcase iPadOS when it launches, and also that the official "iPadOS" designation also means Apple is putting more emphasis on the iPad line and is more likely to want to keep it updated with OS releases. (Many viewed the announcement of iPadOS as a marketing gimmick. Even if that's all it is... it means more emphasis on iPads in general, and the iPad Pro is the flagship device in that category).

So, I'm optimistic, but not certain. The 2018 iPad Pro is still a fantastic device and there's not likely to be any huge differences between that and whatever would be released this fall if it is.

The other reason I'm ok with waiting is that iPadOS is a large part of what I'm looking forward to.

 

[Ludatyk]

So, I'm optimistic, but not certain. The 2018 iPad Pro is still a fantastic device and there's not likely to be any huge differences between that and whatever would be released this fall if it is.

The other reason I'm ok with waiting is that iPadOS is a large part of what I'm looking forward to.

This is what’s missing from the thread.

Like, seriously. We are waiting for “new” iPad Pro, but the current one is crazy good. And iPadOS is on the horizon, it can be installed now albeit it’s beta.. but it works.

 

[EugW]

Thanks! It seems from several of the write ups/reviews it would be early to mid-2020, given that I would be ok keeping it... I was just concerned a new12.9 would come out Sep/October.... really doesn’t seem likely to me.....

I’m waiting because a lot of rumours are suggesting a 2019 release, or else manufacturing in late 2019 with a release shortly after.

So mid-2020 would surprise me. My expectation would be late 2019 to early 2020.

 

[rumz]

Exactly. That's why some people like myself will simply wait. Some predictions:

100% chance: SoC update (probably named A13X)
75% chance: 6 GB across the board
50% chance: Fall 2019 release
50% chance: Entry level 128 GB
50% chance: DisplayPort 1.4
5% chance: 5G
0% chance: OLED screens

Digging around Macrumors with regards to OLED and Mini LED, I thought I'd revisit your post here. 0% for OLED eh? I'll give it 5% Kuo has not been specific on what would be in a refreshed iPad Pro. But there has at least been one or 2 rumors about using OLED in upcoming iPads, and if Mini LED is expected end of 2020 or sometime in 2021, they could use OLED in the interim if they need to buy more panels from Samsung due to the shortfall of iPhone X / Xs / Xs Max sales. My main concern with OLED is that I imagine that bumping up the price by 2-300 more than it already has gone up between Gen 1 and Gen 3.

OLED display and triple lens camera along with A13X might give them enough to refresh (and hopefully a RAM bump as you mention, though they never really talk about RAM on stage-- maybe because it's not an impressive number to compare with competitors, even though the impressive part is that they do so well with so much less).

I also am not hopeful about entry level storage, knowing Apple-- I bet storage has come down in cost such that 128 is comparable to what 64 was when it was introduced with gen 2; but that doesn't mean Apple won't simply enjoy better margins on that part or use the less expensive components to offset whatever more expensive components end up in the refresh. (Drove me nuts how long they continued to sell 16gb iPhones-- way past the point where 16 no longer could provide a positive user experience for almost anyone).

I give 5G a 0% chance based purely on how quickly Apple is known to adopt new cellular technology. Hasn't had enough time to cook yet (let alone have infrastructure built out), IMO
[doublepost=1565890069][/doublepost]

This is what’s missing from the thread.

Like, seriously. We are waiting for “new” iPad Pro, but the current one is crazy good. And iPadOS is on the horizon, it can be installed now albeit it’s beta.. but it works.

Yeah. I almost bought a 12.9 a few weeks ago because it was $450 off. And I'm sure I'd be totally happy with it. Mostly I'm playing the game of wanting an A13x so that I get the maximum length of usability out of the CPU. If I updated my iPads more frequently (I used to, before they went north of $1000), I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[EugW]

^^^ Since we are revisiting that prediction of mine:

50% chance: DisplayPort 1.4

The existence of this dongle...

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...tiport-adapter-with-hdmi-2-0-support.2193081/

...makes me wonder if the 2018 iPad Pro already supports DisplayPort 1.4.

 

[rui no onna]

(Drove me nuts how long they continued to sell 16gb iPhones-- way past the point where 16 no longer could provide a positive user experience for almost anyone).

Ugh, yes. Iirc, you couldn't even OTA update to iOS 8 or 9 because it required 5GB free space or something.

On a 16GB device with 12GB user accessible (the rest is reserved by the system) plus "Other" (system cache, temp files, etc) occupying a significant chunk, you pretty much had to erase all content on in order to update.

 

[rumz]

Ugh, yes. Iirc, you couldn't even OTA update to iOS 8 or 9 because it required 5GB free space or something.

On a 16GB device with 12GB user accessible (the rest is reserved by the system) plus "Other" (system cache, temp files, etc) occupying a significant chunk, you pretty much had to erase all content on in order to update.

Yep. A few weeks ago my aunt was asking me for help with her iPhone. She had signed up for the 200gb iCloud storage to try to mitigate her storage issues-- but there was literally no space left (it says ZERO) on her iPhone 6s to even save a photo to be able to then upload it to iCloud. (Nevermind that she couldn't even update her OS to get to a version where she could use iCloud Photos on that cloud storage).

Absolutely unacceptable for a $650 device, and smacked of pure greed on Apple's part. You shouldn't have to pay an extra $100 just to be able to use the thing. I had to tell her that unfortunately the only real solution was going to be to buy a new phone. Not good at all.

 

[kp98077]

Digging around Macrumors with regards to OLED and Mini LED, I thought I'd revisit your post here. 0% for OLED eh? I'll give it 5% Kuo has not been specific on what would be in a refreshed iPad Pro. But there has at least been one or 2 rumors about using OLED in upcoming iPads, and if Mini LED is expected end of 2020 or sometime in 2021, they could use OLED in the interim if they need to buy more panels from Samsung due to the shortfall of iPhone X / Xs / Xs Max sales. My main concern with OLED is that I imagine that bumping up the price by 2-300 more than it already has gone up between Gen 1 and Gen 3.

OLED display and triple lens camera along with A13X might give them enough to refresh (and hopefully a RAM bump as you mention, though they never really talk about RAM on stage-- maybe because it's not an impressive number to compare with competitors, even though the impressive part is that they do so well with so much less).

I also am not hopeful about entry level storage, knowing Apple-- I bet storage has come down in cost such that 128 is comparable to what 64 was when it was introduced with gen 2; but that doesn't mean Apple won't simply enjoy better margins on that part or use the less expensive components to offset whatever more expensive components end up in the refresh. (Drove me nuts how long they continued to sell 16gb iPhones-- way past the point where 16 no longer could provide a positive user experience for almost anyone).

I give 5G a 0% chance based purely on how quickly Apple is known to adopt new cellular technology. Hasn't had enough time to cook yet (let alone have infrastructure built out), IMO
[doublepost=1565890069][/doublepost]
Yeah. I almost bought a 12.9 a few weeks ago because it was $450 off. And I'm sure I'd be totally happy with it. Mostly I'm playing the game of wanting an A13x so that I get the maximum length of usability out of the CPU. If I updated my iPads more frequently (I used to, before they went north of $1000), I wouldn't worry about it.

How did you get 450 off??!
[doublepost=1565895347][/doublepost]It’s hard to believe an even better 12.9 coming out lol! Now I’m hardly using my macbook! Never thought I’d do that.... lol

 

[rumz]

How did you get 450 off??!
[doublepost=1565895347][/doublepost]It’s hard to believe an even better 12.9 coming out lol! Now I’m hardly using my macbook! Never thought I’d do that.... lol

I honestly wonder if it wasn't an error-- it was just the 12.9" Silver 1tb Cellular model that was marked down to $1450-- I think they may have made a pricing mistake, because it was the same sale price as the wifi-only 12.9" 1tb silver model. It only lasted a couple hours at that price, while most of the other sale prices that weekend stayed for a couple days.

But I'm with you-- instead of buying a new MacBook Air, I want to use a new iPad Pro as my portable device.

 

[spiderman0616]

One thing I think many are forgetting:

There are many rumors that point to the major features in this fall's software updates being a year later than Apple originally intended, especially on the iPadOS side of things. Apple's language at 2018 WWDC certainly seemed to suggest that they were redoubling their efforts on bug fixes and stability in iOS 12 and the usual rumor sources were all suggesting that a lot of major new feature upgrades were being shelved until 2019. Nothing is certain, obviously, but there was enough smoke there to suggest that this was the case. And many/most of the iPad Pro 2018 reviews could be summed up as "Best iPad ever, but it seems like we didn't get the software that should have come with it."

So when I consider what a drastic redesign the 2018 iPad Pro was, as well as the fact that Apple is breaking out iOS for iPad into its own OS in 2019, it seems to make a lot of sense to me that Apple would think it's ok to hold off on new hardware for a little while longer. It's not necessarily a given that they feel the need to have new hardware to show off alongside iPadOS. iPadOS is continuing to get a lot of hype, and will do a good job making any modern iPad feel like a new product.

It's still not unheard of that there will be new iPad Pros this fall. I'm almost certain it would not be a drastic redesign or screen size change like we got in the first three generations--most likely CPU/RAM bump and maybe a new camera. But for the first time since the first gen iPad Pros launched, I think I'll be skipping a generation this time. Very, very happy already with my current setup.

 

[kp98077]

I honestly wonder if it wasn't an error-- it was just the 12.9" Silver 1tb Cellular model that was marked down to $1450-- I think they may have made a pricing mistake, because it was the same sale price as the wifi-only 12.9" 1tb silver model. It only lasted a couple hours at that price, while most of the other sale prices that weekend stayed for a couple days.

But I'm with you-- instead of buying a new MacBook Air, I want to use a new iPad Pro as my portable device.

Wow what a deal.....!!!!!!!!!!!
[doublepost=1565907943][/doublepost]

One thing I think many are forgetting:

There are many rumors that point to the major features in this fall's software updates being a year later than Apple originally intended, especially on the iPadOS side of things. Apple's language at 2018 WWDC certainly seemed to suggest that they were redoubling their efforts on bug fixes and stability in iOS 12 and the usual rumor sources were all suggesting that a lot of major new feature upgrades were being shelved until 2019. Nothing is certain, obviously, but there was enough smoke there to suggest that this was the case. And many/most of the iPad Pro 2018 reviews could be summed up as "Best iPad ever, but it seems like we didn't get the software that should have come with it."

So when I consider what a drastic redesign the 2018 iPad Pro was, as well as the fact that Apple is breaking out iOS for iPad into its own OS in 2019, it seems to make a lot of sense to me that Apple would think it's ok to hold off on new hardware for a little while longer. It's not necessarily a given that they feel the need to have new hardware to show off alongside iPadOS. iPadOS is continuing to get a lot of hype, and will do a good job making any modern iPad feel like a new product.

It's still not unheard of that there will be new iPad Pros this fall. I'm almost certain it would not be a drastic redesign or screen size change like we got in the first three generations--most likely CPU/RAM bump and maybe a new camera. But for the first time since the first gen iPad Pros launched, I think I'll be skipping a generation this time. Very, very happy already with my current setup.

I think your assessment is pretty fair and accurate... will be focused on the software.... I even doubt the camera because they likely would release it first in the camera.... we will see! Oy!

 

[JPack]

One thing I think many are forgetting:

There are many rumors that point to the major features in this fall's software updates being a year later than Apple originally intended, especially on the iPadOS side of things. Apple's language at 2018 WWDC certainly seemed to suggest that they were redoubling their efforts on bug fixes and stability in iOS 12 and the usual rumor sources were all suggesting that a lot of major new feature upgrades were being shelved until 2019. Nothing is certain, obviously, but there was enough smoke there to suggest that this was the case. And many/most of the iPad Pro 2018 reviews could be summed up as "Best iPad ever, but it seems like we didn't get the software that should have come with it."

So when I consider what a drastic redesign the 2018 iPad Pro was, as well as the fact that Apple is breaking out iOS for iPad into its own OS in 2019, it seems to make a lot of sense to me that Apple would think it's ok to hold off on new hardware for a little while longer. It's not necessarily a given that they feel the need to have new hardware to show off alongside iPadOS. iPadOS is continuing to get a lot of hype, and will do a good job making any modern iPad feel like a new product.

It's still not unheard of that there will be new iPad Pros this fall. I'm almost certain it would not be a drastic redesign or screen size change like we got in the first three generations--most likely CPU/RAM bump and maybe a new camera. But for the first time since the first gen iPad Pros launched, I think I'll be skipping a generation this time. Very, very happy already with my current setup.

To play devil's advocate, Apple may have accounted for this with the 2018 iPad Pro. If the iPad Pro carried 6GB of RAM and a dual-lens camera, I would agree Apple could stand still for the next 6 months.

In the end, the goal of iOS and iPadOS is to sell hardware. That's what counts in the earnings report. Given iPhone unit sales are decreasing, the iPad team (along with wearables and services) should be firing on all cylinders to make up for revenue.

 

[rumz]

One thing I think many are forgetting:

There are many rumors that point to the major features in this fall's software updates being a year later than Apple originally intended, especially on the iPadOS side of things. Apple's language at 2018 WWDC certainly seemed to suggest that they were redoubling their efforts on bug fixes and stability in iOS 12 and the usual rumor sources were all suggesting that a lot of major new feature upgrades were being shelved until 2019.

You have a good point, and I have considered this— I would guess the 3rd gen iPad Pro was originally intended to launch with iPadOS at some point during the development cycle (or that software feature set, at least). We know that both software and hardware are in development years ahead of release.

But to JPack’s point, if they can leverage iPadOS to boost hardware sales, that’s in their best interest. I’m sure there is a group of people that would be enticed by the software upgrade alone. I can’t even imagine that being their whole strategy though. I guess they could launch an iPad Pro advertising campaign saying “now featuring iPadOS” or something. But if they can come up with any way to promote a “new” iPad, we’ll then they can go through the whole cycle of announcing on stage, showing them to reporters, sending out review units to get reviews out there to help advertise and get word out.

 

[spiderman0616]

You have a good point, and I have considered this— I would guess the 3rd gen iPad Pro was originally intended to launch with iPadOS at some point during the development cycle (or that software feature set, at least). We know that both software and hardware are in development years ahead of release.

But to JPack’s point, if they can leverage iPadOS to boost hardware sales, that’s in their best interest. I’m sure there is a group of people that would be enticed by the software upgrade alone. I can’t even imagine that being their whole strategy though. I guess they could launch an iPad Pro advertising campaign saying “now featuring iPadOS” or something. But if they can come up with any way to promote a “new” iPad, we’ll then they can go through the whole cycle of announcing on stage, showing them to reporters, sending out review units to get reviews out there to help advertise and get word out.

If there is a new iPad Pro in the fall, I’m not sure it would be one that’s worth a whole new ad campaign, at least not one that’s specific to the new model. But that’s not a bad thing at all. They do this with the Mac all the time. Even if they do a spec bump via a PR statement or something along those lines, I’m sure that will spur some upgrades, especially from people still holding on to their first gen iPad Pros.

 

[rumz]

Wow what a deal.....!!!!!!!!!!!

So... this morning, Best Buy has the 12.9 silver 1tb cellular model for $600 off

The some of the WiFi only 12.9” ones are $200-$400 off. Still pretty good!

 

[rui no onna]

So... this morning, Best Buy has the 12.9 silver 1tb cellular model for $600 off

The some of the WiFi only 12.9” ones are $200-$400 off. Still pretty good!

Lol, if I were in the market for 12.9, I'd jump on that deal.

*sigh* Why couldn't they have similar deals for 11"?

 

[rumz]

Lol, if I were in the market for 12.9, I'd jump on that deal.

*sigh* Why couldn't they have similar deals for 11"?

Something about that 12.9 1tb cellular in silver... gets the wildest discounts. Worst selling model?

Funny how $150 discount on the 11” seems lame by comparison. There was a time when that would have seemed like a nice discount.

 

[EugW]

Something about that 12.9 1tb cellular in silver... gets the wildest discounts. Worst selling model?

Funny how $150 discount on the 11” seems lame by comparison. There was a time when that would have seemed like a nice discount.

Remember, it's already 290 days since the last release. $150 is expected, and more is a bonus.

But that's in the US. The sales in Canada suck.

 

[rui no onna]

Something about that 12.9 1tb cellular in silver... gets the wildest discounts. Worst selling model?

Yep, very likely. The 2nd gen 12.9 also had better clearance deals compared to the 10.5.

Funny how $150 discount on the 11” seems lame by comparison. There was a time when that would have seemed like a nice discount.

Sure, back when iPads were under the $1K mark for top config. Or heck, even before the $150-200 price bump on the Pros in 2018.

Apple has been increasing top iPad pricing:
2010-2014: $500 OG - Air 2
2015/6: $600 Pro 9.7, $800 Pro 12.9
2017: $650 Pro 10.5, $800 Pro 12.9
2018: $800 Pro 11, $1000 Pro 12.9

I reckon that last jump was unpalatable for most. As it is, a $150 discount just brings the latest Pros down to non-discounted, launch pricing of previous iterations. It's not like spending power for majority of people has increased.

 

[rumz]

Yep, very likely. The 2nd gen 12.9 also had better clearance deals compared to the 10.5.


Sure, back when iPads were under the $1K mark for top config. Or heck, even before the $150-200 price bump on the Pros in 2018.

Apple has been increasing top iPad pricing:
2010-2014: $500 OG - Air 2
2015/6: $600 Pro 9.7, $800 Pro 12.9
2017: $650 Pro 10.5, $800 Pro 12.9
2018: $800 Pro 11, $1000 Pro 12.9

I reckon that last jump was unpalatable for most. As it is, a $150 discount just brings the latest Pros down to non-discounted, launch pricing of previous iterations. It's not like spending power for majority of people has increased.

Yeah, I did that comparison the other day... on the base, smaller size iPad Pro alone the jump has been $200; the other thing that makes them seem more expensive is that there's now 4 storage tiers with that massive jump from 512gb / 4gb to 1tb / 6gb.

But... when I bought my 12.9" iPad Pro... 128gb was the biggest you could get initially. (Can't remember when they added 256gb... maybe when the 9.7" was released).

Based on recent patterns I can't imagine we'll see OLED or Mini LED screens without another $200+ price bump. Hopefully not. Perhaps if they just bumped the ram in all models so you didn't need 1tb to get 6gb (and maybe if the base bumped up to 128gb), it'd be more palatable at current prices.

 

[rumz]

So... this morning, Best Buy has the 12.9 silver 1tb cellular model for $600 off

The some of the WiFi only 12.9” ones are $200-$400 off. Still pretty good!

Another pricing error, I wonder? Because the sale price is now just $200 off @ $1699; the previous $1299 price appears to be their sale price for the 512gb model.

Mind you, not quite as awesome as those errors that Amazon had on Prime Day that led to some people scoring $2000+ cameras for less than $100.