Why did the 10.5" iPad Pro increase in physical size?

[Blackvibes]

I really thought, primarily based upon previous rumours saying so, that Apple would increase the iPad's screen size from 9.7" to 10.5" without changing the physical size by reducing the huge bezels. But the increased size comes from less decreased bezels and an increase in physical size. This would mean all iPad Pro 9.7 owners need new accessoires. Besides even more money for Apple, why did they increase the physical size? I think even smaller bezels could take account for the larger screen..

Just wondering, I'm not a 9.7 pro owner

 

[larzy]

I got the same impression while watching the keynote but yeah seems like it got a little bigger.

 

[UltimateSyn]

They increased the width to allow for enough space to grip the bezels beside the screen, and they increased the length so that the Smart Keyboard could be full-sized.

 

[jerryk]

I really thought, primarily based upon previous rumours saying so, that Apple would increase the iPad's screen size from 9.7" to 10.5" without changing the physical size by reducing the huge bezels. But the increased size comes from less decreased bezels and an increase in physical size. This would mean all iPad Pro 9.7 owners need new accessoires. Besides even more money for Apple, why did they increase the physical size? I think even smaller bezels could take account for the larger screen..

Just wondering, I'm not a 9.7 pro owner

I believe iMore has an overlay diagram that showed the sizes of all the iPads. But the form factor are:
9.7 - 9.4x6.6X0.29"
10.5 - 9.8"x6.8X0.24.

Just enough to make sure your old case does not fit.

 

[KrisLord]

If they keep the same physical dimensions they have to keep nearly every external port or sensor in the same place so they still work with cases.

The constraints this makes on design mean it’s sometimes better to change the size so that there’s no ambiguity about accessory compatibility.

 

[JPack]

But the increased size comes from less decreased bezels and an increase in physical size.

Seems like you haven't taken a close look at the new iPad Pro.

The screen to body ratio is now 79% (10.5") compared to 73% (9.7").

Besides even more money for Apple, why did they increase the physical size? I think even smaller bezels could take account for the larger screen..

Apple can't bend the laws of physics. They need to integrate a 10.5" display with 4 decent speakers. Not to mention the battery capacity was increased by 10% to drive the larger display. The bezels are needed.

 

[masotime]

and they increased the length so that the Smart Keyboard could be full-sized.

I suspect this is a major reason - the existing ASK for the 9.7" Pro was probably deemed not ergonomic enough. In addition, the larger physical size also makes it easier to incorporate a larger battery - or otherwise maintain the same battery but add other components. I don't think Apple made that decision lightly, as it now immediately makes 9.7" Pro cases (especially those that rely on the smart connector like Logitech's) deprecated, along with the 9.7" Pro's smart keyboard.

Apple must have felt it was worth "nuking" all these to create what they felt was ergonomically a better "Pro" product.

 

[MentalFloss]

I really thought, primarily based upon previous rumours saying so, that Apple would increase the iPad's screen size from 9.7" to 10.5" without changing the physical size by reducing the huge bezels. But the increased size comes from less decreased bezels and an increase in physical size. This would mean all iPad Pro 9.7 owners need new accessoires. Besides even more money for Apple, why did they increase the physical size? I think even smaller bezels could take account for the larger screen..

I strongly doubt that Apple would have done this without good reason or only to increase their revenue from selling accessories. Apple has always been VERY good about keeping devices the same form factor, much better than certain other companies. I doubt that they see accessories as a relevant source of income.

Why the size really increased, we will see when we get our hands on the device and/or when iFixit tears it apart. The battery capacity increased by 3 Wh, so it is possibly slightly bigger. As the battery size is the major determining factor for device size, this could already be one important point. Having said that, you still need a certain amount of bezel space for the home button and the camera, unless they move Touch ID into the display (as supposedly planned for the iPhone 8) and they move the camera into the display as well (as seen in some butt-ugly renderings of the iPhone 8).

 

[SparklyPickle]

I believe iMore has an overlay diagram that showed the sizes of all the iPads. But the form factor are:
9.7 - 9.4x6.6X0.29"
10.5 - 9.8"x6.8X0.24.

Just enough to make sure your old case does not fit.

Which is normal since they are two different sizes.

 

[0lf]

I strongly doubt that Apple would have done this without good reason or only to increase their revenue from selling accessories. Apple has always been VERY good about keeping devices the same form factor, much better than certain other companies. I doubt that they see accessories as a relevant source of income.

Yep. If Apple really wanted to increase their income they could have decrease the size of the 12.9 bezel (even slightly to match the screen/body ratio of the 10.5) making all accessories obsolete while improving the device and gaining a marketing advantage)

 

[HiItsMe]

Ha! But Apple didn't even capitalize on the increased size because they don't offer a new back case.

 

[Vivian125]

I really thought, primarily based upon previous rumours saying so, that Apple would increase the iPad's screen size from 9.7" to 10.5" without changing the physical size by reducing the huge bezels. But the increased size comes from less decreased bezels and an increase in physical size. This would mean all iPad Pro 9.7 owners need new accessoires. Besides even more money for Apple, why did they increase the physical size? I think even smaller bezels could take account for the larger screen..

Just wondering, I'm not a 9.7 pro owner

It's IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THE PHYSICAL SIZE. Haven't you realized that The new iPad Pro 10.5" is .8inch bigger diagonally??? The iPad Pro 10.5" is ACTUALLY .64inch longer on screen and .4 inch taller.. How is that possible to maintain the physical size??? .8INCH IS A BIG DIFFERENCE!!! Unless it's only 10.1" iPad duh...

 

[Blackvibes]

It's IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THE PHYSICAL SIZE. Haven't you realized that The new iPad Pro 10.5" is .8inch bigger diagonally??? The iPad Pro 10.5" is ACTUALLY .64inch longer on screen and .4 inch taller.. How is that possible to maintain the physical size??? .8INCH IS A BIG DIFFERENCE!!! Unless it's only 10.1" iPad duh...

If they'd make the iPad bezelles the iPad could 'easily' remain the same physical size, despite a larger screen, creating an even bigger screen-to-body ratio. So it is possible.

 

[Adelphos33]

If they'd make the iPad bezelles the iPad could 'easily' remain the same physical size, despite a larger screen, creating an even bigger screen-to-body ratio. So it is possible.

It was probably more important to allow for a bigger keyboard (both on screen and smart keyboard cover) than to keep the physical size. The 9.7" smart keyboard was pretty cramped (I think the 10.5" is too, but people like it)

 

[spiderman0616]

It was probably more important to allow for a bigger keyboard (both on screen and smart keyboard cover) than to keep the physical size. The 9.7" smart keyboard was pretty cramped (I think the 10.5" is too, but people like it)

I use the iPad Pro as my main computer, and I always found the 9.7" model's ASK to be cramped. I also never bothered typing on the screen on 9.7" iPads for the same reason. With the 10.5" model that has all changed. I find both screen typing and ASK typing to be very comfortable.

 

[Count Blah]

It's IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN THE PHYSICAL SIZE. Haven't you realized that The new iPad Pro 10.5" is .8inch bigger diagonally??? The iPad Pro 10.5" is ACTUALLY .64inch longer on screen and .4 inch taller.. How is that possible to maintain the physical size??? .8INCH IS A BIG DIFFERENCE!!! Unless it's only 10.1" iPad duh...

You must be a REAL blast at parties

 

[Macintoshrumors]

You must be a REAL blast at parties

lame. He does make a valid point to a stupid question.