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TimurCologne

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 11, 2016
19
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We have been waiting long on bezel size reduction on the 12.9" iPP, and it didn't happen...

What do you think will they update next year the 12.9" iPP and make it slimmer like the new 10.5" iPP or will they leave it as is?
 
What indications makes you think the Pros will be updated next year?

Because I don't see that happening.

I see 2019 as more likely time to see the next update. Force touch, OLED, and other goodies...
 
We have been waiting long on bezel size reduction on the 12.9" iPP, and it didn't happen...

What do you think will they update next year the 12.9" iPP and make it slimmer like the new 10.5" iPP or will they leave it as is?
Who is "we"?

I'm beginning to believe that the 2nd gen 12.9 Pro is the last model of that form factor. I would not be surprised to see an 11.7" Pro with the 10.5 bezel sizes.
 
I prefer they leave the thickness as is, I dont want the camera sticking out. I would hope for the bezel reduction though, I think it improves the devices physical aesthetic. I fear that the 13" may just be incremental for the time being, just piggy backing on the internal improvements of the 10" pro.
 
I'm beginning to believe that the 2nd gen 12.9 Pro is the last model of that form factor. I would not be surprised to see an 11.7" Pro with the 10.5 bezel sizes.

I think that's exactly what will happen too, although I think it might depend on how easy these new flagship iPhones are to make. Has part of the challenge of removing bezels not been integrating all the sensors and cameras in to the screen itself? I think it will be an 11.something" Pro in the long run although I could quite easily see just a spec bumped range next year and then a radical overhaul the year after.
 
I don’t think a bezel reduction is particularly likely to happen.

Current left/right bezel ratios relative to display width:
7.9": 5.9 %
9.7": 7.3 %
10.5": 4.4 %
12.9": 6.1 %

Current top/bottom bezel ratios relative to display height:
7.9": 13.2 %
9.7": 10.9 %
10.5": 8.7 %
12.9": 8.3 %

So the left/right bezel isn’t that bad on the 12.9" (it’s roughly the same as for the iPad mini 4), and the 12.9" actually has the smallest top/bottom bezel ratio of the current iPad line, including the 10.5".
 
Bezels are useful for holding the device without touching the screen, and the heavier the device the more important that is.

A slightly smaller bezel might be nice, but nothing severe.

I Agree. There is a difference between having no bezels and reduced bezels. I personally have an appreciation for bezels to prevent any inadvertent touches on the display. But the 40% Reduced bezels on the 10.5 iPad does give the device a much cleaner appeal.
 
Who is "we"?

I'm beginning to believe that the 2nd gen 12.9 Pro is the last model of that form factor. I would not be surprised to see an 11.7" Pro with the 10.5 bezel sizes.
Oh yes, that's coming. Probably next year. Couldn't wait, however -- already placed my order. I've been itching to get True Tone and the wide color gamut on the 12.9 for over a year now.
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So the left/right bezel isn’t that bad on the 12.9" (it’s roughly the same as for the iPad mini 4), and the 12.9" actually has the smallest top/bottom bezel ratio of the current iPad line, including the 10.5".

Very interesting! So that's why it's hard to tell which size iPad they're using in the WWDC onstage demos and the new promotional materials.
 
Some points of comparison:

Area (including bezel/display only)
  • iPad mini: 42.40/29.96 sq. in. (71%)
  • iPad 2/3/4: 69.45/45.16 sq. in. (65%)
  • iPad Air/Air 2/Pro 9.7: 62.04/45.16 sq. in. (73%)
  • iPad Pro 10.5: 66.64/52.92 sq. in. (79%)
  • iPad Pro 12.9: 104.16/79.88 sq. in. (77%)

iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi
  • Height: 8.0 inches (203.2 mm)
  • Width: 5.3 inches (134.8 mm)
  • Depth: 0.24 inch (6.1 mm)
  • Weight: 0.65 pound (298.8 grams)

iPad 2 Wi-Fi
  • Height: 9.50 inches (241.2 mm)
  • Width: 7.31 inches (185.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.34 inch (8.8 mm)
  • Weight: 1.33 pounds (601 g)

iPad (4th generation) Wi-Fi
  • Height: 9.50 inches (241.2 mm)
  • Width: 7.31 inches (185.7 mm)
  • Depth: 0.37 inch (9.4 mm)
  • Weight: 1.44 pounds (652 g)

iPad Pro (9.7-inch) Wi‑Fi
  • Height: 9.4 inches (240 mm)
  • Weidth: 6.6 inches (169.5 mm)
  • Depth: 0.24 inch (6.1 mm)
  • Weight: 0.96 pound (437 grams)

iPad Pro (10.5-inch) Wi‑Fi
  • Height: 9.8 inches (250.6 mm)
  • Width: 6.8 inches (174.1 mm)
  • Depth: 0.24 inch (6.1 mm)
  • Weight: 1.03 pounds (469 grams)

iPad Pro (12.9-inch) Wi-Fi
  • Height: 12 inches (305.7 mm)
  • Width: 8.68 inches (220.6 mm)
  • Depth: 0.27 inch (6.9 mm)
  • Weight: 1.57 pounds (713 grams)

iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (2nd generation) Wi‑Fi
  • Height: 12 inches (305.7 mm)
  • Width: 8.68 inches (220.6 mm)
  • Depth: 0.27 inch (6.9 mm)
  • Weight: 1.49 pounds (677 grams)
 
We could see this next year, some reports suggested that would be a big year for iPads
 
I'm beginning to believe that the 2nd gen 12.9 Pro is the last model of that form factor. I would not be surprised to see an 11.7" Pro with the 10.5 bezel sizes.
Also looking forward to a new iPad Pro version with 12-12.5" screen, reduced bezels and lighter.

Question is timing: 12, 18 or 24 months for the next upgrade? I bet on 12 months given A11 new 10nm fabrication (lower power consumption, higher performance) and new iPad Pro screen size. That will also give Apple an opportunity to launch Apple Pencil v2 and new ASK keyboard (key travel, lighter, etc).

After all, TC says the iPad is the future...
 
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I don't think think it needs a bezel reduction IMO. I haven't actually received mine yet, but from all the playing I've done in stores and how I would plan to hold it and take it around I don't see why you would want that room to go away. I think it's part of what still makes it look okay. I've used my wife's 10.5" and I LOVE it, but the non-existent bezels for the most part are just kind of odd. You really can't hold it anywhere on the sides without pressing the screen.
 
I'm waiting, because it will happen eventually. But I'm waiting with a brand new 10.5", and hopefully in 2-3 years the 12.9" is completely without bezel and not very much bigger than the 10.5" with the bezel. I doubt we see it before then. I think it kind of depends on what the new high end iPhone has this autumn. That tech tends to trickle over to the iPad after some time—except 3D Touch, which I think is due to limitations of taptic engine feedback on such a large display. I really want to maximize the usable display space so I can have full size apps in multitasking. One thought I had is that in a few years they could do @3X iPads with an system setting to run them @2X resolution which would give more usable space for multitasking while still maintaining sharpness with the downside of smaller tap targets. I guess it depends on how the math works out on whether that's feasible and within their iOS HIG limits.

My dream next iPad around 3 years from now would be 12" bezel free with a footprint about the size of the 10.5", 10-bit display @3X retina, Touch ID in the display, weigh 1lb or less, 8GB RAM, GPU in the 3-4Tflops range, 3D Touch, 12hr battery life, wireless charging, redesigned smart keyboard that uses a butterfly mechanism and backlighting, dual-lens camera, water and shatter resistant, and has a six-core A11X that could take on a 15" MBP.
 
I'm waiting, because it will happen eventually. But I'm waiting with a brand new 10.5", and hopefully in 2-3 years the 12.9" is completely without bezel and not very much bigger than the 10.5" with the bezel. I doubt we see it before then. I think it kind of depends on what the new high end iPhone has this autumn. That tech tends to trickle over to the iPad after some time—except 3D Touch, which I think is due to limitations of taptic engine feedback on such a large display. I really want to maximize the usable display space so I can have full size apps in multitasking. One thought I had is that in a few years they could do @3X iPads with an system setting to run them @2X resolution which would give more usable space for multitasking while still maintaining sharpness with the downside of smaller tap targets. I guess it depends on how the math works out on whether that's feasible and within their iOS HIG limits.

My dream next iPad around 3 years from now would be 12" bezel free with a footprint about the size of the 10.5", 10-bit display @3X retina, Touch ID in the display, weigh 1lb or less, 8GB RAM, GPU in the 3-4Tflops range, 3D Touch, 12hr battery life, wireless charging, redesigned smart keyboard that uses a butterfly mechanism and backlighting, dual-lens camera, water and shatter resistant, and has a six-core A11X that could take on a 15" MBP.

The future certainly seems brighter for iPad these days.
 
The future certainly seems brighter for iPad these days.
Yes, and the biggest thing that I feel is holding it back in the long run is the display size. Desktop displays have gotten bigger and bigger and we've become more productive along with it. But the iPad feels like it could never match a 27" iMac, even if it was faster with a better display and full background multitasking and utilities. There's just something about a certain size that lends itself to extreme multitasking and the utmost productivity. It will be really interesting to see how the software evolves to address this, along with bezel reductions and possible larger displays. I think the ultimate device would be the 7.9" iPad Mini that unfolds into a 15.8" iPad Pro. Perhaps someday…
 
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Doesn't Apple seem to have a cycle of upgrading internals drastically or form factor? Not both at once? 2017 was a internals and screen year.

I'm with the OP on this. It will be great if the next revision for 12.9 iPad Pro has a new form factor, especially reduced bezels.
 
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