Apple to revamp and expand iPad range – reports

Apple is apparently getting ready to completely revamp its entire iPad lineup as early as next month. According to a report from Macotakara, the firm will launch iPads in four different sizes: 12.9, 10.5, 9.7 and 7.9 inches. 

This all seems to make sense as both the 12.9- and 9.7-inch devices would be a continuation of the current iPad Pro lineup, and the 7.9-inch model would replace the iPad mini. The 10.5-inch tablet however would be a new model for the range. 

The introduction of a 10.5-inch iPad would confirm reports that emerged in November of last year that Apple would come out with a tablet of this size with a greater focus on education and enterprise sectors. Those sources said that sources said that shipments of the 10.5-inch iPad will reach two million units in the first quarter of 2017, and may reach 5-6 million in the year.

While the news of a 10.5-inch iPad support rumours from months back, the updated 9.7-inch iPad contradict earlier reports which made no mention of the iPad mini. However it should be noted that Macotakara – the source for this news – reported back in October that an "iPad mini Pro" will be introduced. 

Elsewhere, MacRumours is reporting something similar about a souped up iPad mini Pro, claiming that it will have four speakers, a 12-megapixel rear camera, a Smart Connecter and a True Tone display. The site says that all new iPad Pros will have four microphones.

The site also claims that during the same launch event, Apple may introduce an updated iPhone SE with 128GB of storage, along with a red-coloured iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and a new Apple Watch band. 

The last time that Apple refreshed the iPad lineup it was at an event in March 2016, so a similarly timed event this year would not come as a surprise. This is all speculation at this point, however, with no invitations having been sent out yet. 

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