PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Some new iPad details have hit the rumour mill this morning, with Apple apparently working on several new versions of the tablet device.
A "revolutionary" iPad with a flexible AMOLED display is expected to arrive in 2018, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as reported by MacRumours.
"A revolutionary iPad model is likely to be introduced in 2018 at the earliest, with radical changes in form factor design and user behavior on adoption of a flexible AMOLED panel," Kuo stated.
"We believe iPad will follow in the footsteps of the iPhone by adopting an AMOLED panel in 2018 at the earliest. If Apple can truly tap the potential of a flexible AMOLED panel, we believe the new iPad model will offer new selling points through radical form factor design and user behavior changes, which could benefit shipments."
Kuo also expects three new iPads to launch in 2017.
A 10.5-inch iPad Pro is expected next year targeting education markets, as well as a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and budget 9.7-inch version.
"We expect three new iPads to be launched in 2017, though this may not drive shipment growth amid structural headwinds," Kuo said.
"In addition, we estimate the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 and 10.5-inch iPad Pro will adopt the A10X processor, with TSMC being the sole supplier using 10nm process technology. The low-cost 9.7-inch model may adopt the A9X processor, which is also exclusively supplied by TSMC."
Kuo expects 35 to 40 million iPads to be shipped in 2016, down from an earlier prediction of 45 to 50 million, due to a lack of new models arriving this year.
