The Apple iPad Pro has been around for just under a year now, so we can expect the tech giant to spill the beans on the next version very soon. Whether it’s called the iPad Pro 2 or iPad Pro 2016, we could see an official announcement along with the iPhone 7 on 7 September this year.
As for when the next iPad Pro releases, there are a couple of outcomes to consider. As was the case last time, the huge 12.9in display model launched in September, with a smaller 9.7in version gracing store shelves in March 2016. Whether Apple decides to continue this trend or ditch it entirely when announcing both versions this year remains to be seen.
We’ve put together a list of the top features we can expect to see on the iPad Pro 2 and how much we expect to be paying when it finally releases.
Apple might launch an updated 10.5in model instead
Rumours have suggested that we might not see an iPad Pro version 2 this year, rather a 10.5in version of the existing model instead. According to renowned market analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, there will be three sizes of iPad Pro by the end of the year – and given that we’ve seen two already, the third may well be a 10.5in version, a middle ground between the existing options.
Could there be an iPad Pro 2 mini?
Leading on from this, it’s a possibility we could even see a mini version of the iPad Pro in the near future. Since Apple have launched a 9.7in version, the "Pro" label no longer refers to the size of the device, but to the features and specs instead.
It stands to reason that we could see a sub-8in iPad Pro instead of a newer model this year, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Apple hasn’t thought of this already.
The iPad Pro 2 will have a faster processor
One thing’s for sure: if we do get a shiny new iPad Pro this year, it's likely to have a much faster processor than was found in last year’s model. According to recent reports, the iPad Pro 2 will feature an A10X 10nm processor rather than the A9X chip in the older model. We should expect to see much speedier performance as a result, even if the iPad Pro already had pretty impressive specs to begin with.
The iPad Pro 2 will have a better camera
The iPad Pro 2 will likely have a better camera, especially considering Apple has a proven track record at keeping their newest devices in tip-top shape. The original had 8-megapixel rear-facing and 1.2-megapixel front-facing cameras, but one can assume we’ll get a little bit of an upgrade here. It’s right to believe we should see a jump to 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras respectively. True 4K video recording should definitely be on the cards at this point too.
Apple iPad 2 price
Going off the prices of the earlier models, we can paint a reasonably clear picture of how much we can expect to fork out for the latest versions when Apple finally shows them off.
The 32GB 12.9in model originally retailed for £680, with a bump to £800 for the 128GB version, and £919 for the 256GB option. I can’t see Apple changing the price too drastically, although we may see a 64GB option this time around, which you could expect to retail for around £720. If you’re in the mood for 4G connectivity, you’ll likely have to fork out at least £100 on top of the standard price.