Apple Poised to Reveal New 10.5-inch iPad Pro Next Year, ‘Radically Redesigned’ AMOLED-toting iPad Coming in 2018

Well, well, well — what do we have here? Why, only another round of future product forecasts from one of the most historically accurate, well-connected Apple analysts the world has ever known. And he’s got a bit of rather exciting news to share with iPad fans this morning..

Ming Chi Kuo, the notorious KGI Securities heavyweight, indicated in a research note to investors over the weekend that he expects the Cupertino-company to introduce a total of three iPad models in 2017 — including among them an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

As if that wasn’t enough of a bold prediction, Kuo also suggested that Apple could be introducing a slew of “revolutionary” new changes — including a vastly redesigned chassis, and flexible AMOLED display panels — when the company officially takes the wraps off its iPad models the following year.

Kuo’s research note goes on to suggest that the three iPad models are set to debut in 2017, one of which will reportedly boast a 10.5-inch display, but will otherwise feature relatively modest upgrades —maintaining both the physical and structural design of the company’s current generation iPad models.

In addition to a second generation 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro 2’, Kuo noted, speculatively speaking, that the new 10.5-inch iPad offering might be a replacement for the iconic 9.7-inch device. He also noted that Apple’s next iPad Pro models will more than likely boast the company’s next-generation ‘A10X’ silicon.

The A10X, as previous reports have suggested, will more than likely be built around Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC’s) 10nm FiNFET manufacturing process, and will accordingly power the 12.9-inch ‘iPad Pro 2’, as well as the forthcoming 10.5-inch iPad Pro.

By far the most intriguing bit of information from Kuo’s research note, however, is the mention of a flexible AMOLED display panel making its debut on Apple’s 2018 iPad Pro. Samsung was actually the first company to introduce a tablet boasting a Super AMOLED display panel — back in 2014 with its Galaxy Tab S. Of course, while we’d certainly love to see a similar technology debut on Apple’s iPad, but it’s a safe bet to see how 2017’s iPhone display turns out before we start jumping up and down in anticipation, right? Baby steps, folks — baby steps.

In any event, even despite these forecasted changes and “revolutionary” enhancements, galore, Kuo doesn’t believe that Apple will begin seeing a noticeable turn-around in iPad sales until at least 2018 at the earliest. Sure, the company’s iPad may have enjoyed a nice little bump during the fiscal 3rd quarter (largely thanks to the success of the 9.7-inch iPad Pro), however, according to Kuo, sales will likely remain somewhat stagnant until the Cupertino-company changes the game, once again, in 2018.

Are you looking forward to Apple’s iPad refreshes in the years to come? Let us know in the comments!

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]