New reports have indicated that Apple is presently working on redesigning and redeveloping the iPad with an OLED screen for a 2018 release.
Is the iPad boring?
We’ve grown to think so. The largest addition to Apple’s iPad lineup took the form of the colossal iPad Pro and Apple Pencil in 2015. Since then, Apple has largely ignored its tablet offering, instead only offering a smaller Pro model this year.
Read: Apple reportedly prepares a massive MacBook Pro overhaul
Now, a new report courtesy of KGI Securities’ Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that Apple could be hard at work at developing a ‘revolutionary’ tablet offering for debut in 2016.
According to Kuo, Apple’s next tablet would feature a flexible AMOLED panel; the likes of which both Samsung and LG have been hard at work developing over the course of recent years.
Speaking on the likelihood of a 2018 reveal, Kuo stated that:
“Revolutionary iPad model likely to be introduced in 2018F at the earliest, with radical changes in form factor design & user behavior on adoption of flexible AMOLED panel. We believe iPad will follow in the footsteps of the iPhone by adopting AMOLED panel in 2018F 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 further predicts that Apple will introduce an even smaller Pro offering to supplement the 12.9″ and 10.5″ models already in circulation. The move would introduce a 9.7″ iPad – the ‘mini’ version, in layman’s terms – of the entire lineup.
“We expect three new iPads (12.9“ iPad Pro 2, new size 10.5“ Pro & low-cost 9.7“ model) to be launched in 2017, though this may not drive shipment growth amid structural headwinds; 2017F shipments to fall 10-20% YoY. If the iPad comes in a larger size, such as a 10.5“ model, we believe it will be helpful to bid for tenders within the commercial and education markets. As a result, we expect Apple to launch a 10.5“ Pro in 2017. In addition, we estimate the 12.9“ Pro 2 and 10.5“ Pro will adopt the A10X processor, with TSMC (2330 TT, NT$177.5, N) being the sole supplier using 10nm process technology. The low-cost 9.7“ model may adopt the A9X processor, which is also exclusively supplied by TSMC.”
Read: Apple is reportedly developing a new, non-Watch wearable
What are your thoughts? Should Apple turn its attention back to its tablet offering, or should the company focus on the likes of the iPhone, Apple Watch, or the Mac? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
