Apple's WWDC event is all set to take place in June and the company is likely to unveil several devices at the event. The Cupertino-based company is expected to launch its Siri smart speaker, which will compete with Google Home and Amazon's Alexa-powered Echo speaker.
However, a new report suggests that Apple has beefed up the production of its yet-to-be unveiled 10.5-inch iPad Pro. This assertion is fueling rumors that the company may launch the iPad Pro during WWDC 2017.
10.5-Inch iPad Pro Launching In June?
According to Digitimes, Apple's production of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro models will increase from the current 500,000 units to 600,000 units in July. This increase in production also suggests that the company may ship 5 million 10.5-inch iPad Pro units in 2017.
Previous reports indicated that Apple had begun limited production of the new tablet, which led to speculation as to when Apple would opt to unveil the new iPad Pro. KGI Securities' analyst Ming Chi-Kuo; however, predicted a 70 percent or higher chance of Apple launching the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model at its June's WWDC event.
The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is expected to come with a similar chassis as the 9.7-inch model. However, the newer iPad Pro will most likely feature a bigger display thanks to thinner bezels. Apple is also expecting the redesigned 10.5-inch iPad Pro to boost its revenue.
Apple revealed that its tablet sales were sliding since the last 13 quarters as consumers did not want to spend money to merely upgrade devices they already owned.
Some rumors indicate that once the 10.5-inch iPad Pro model lands in the market, Apple will stop selling the 9.7-inch variant.
What About Other iPads?
The Digitimes report also alluded to the already available 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. The publication shared that the sales for the newly-launched 9.7-inch model would likely pick up in Q2 end. It noted that according to market watchers, the sales of the inexpensive iPad were expected to peak in Q3. This would increase the monthly shipments of the 9.7-inch iPad in June and July to more than 4 million units.
The report also shared that the rumored upgrade for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro may be in the works, but Apple has not disclosed any schedule for the mass production of the device. Market experts estimate that the company would kick off the production in June, while "stable shipments" are expected in the third quarter.
