Upcoming 10.5-inch iPad to Feature Incredible Bezel-less Display

Apple is gearing up to unveil as many as four new iPad models this spring, with at least one of them featuring upgraded internal components over the current iPad Pro flagship. However, rumored to be joining the family this year is an all-new, 10.5-inch variant, which will fall right smack dab in between the current 9.7- and 12.9-inch models. While the details about said device have been scarce, a new report that was published over the weekend by Forbes appears to shed some additional light on the upcoming new model.

Speaking via telephone to Forbes, IHS Markit Director of Tablets and PCs, Rhoda Alexander, explained that Apple’s 10.5-inch iPad variant will boast a higher resolution than the company’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro — upping the ante to an impressive 2,224 x 1,668 resolution, in comparison to the 9.7-incher’s 2,048 x 1,536 resolution.

Interestingly, Alexander goes on to allege that the 10.5-inch iPad — although it will boast a 0.8-inch larger display — will actually be packed into a chassis exactly the same size as that of Apple’s 9.7-inch iPad Pro. And therefore, although the display resolution is notably higher than Cupertino’s venerable offering, numerically speaking, the larger display will feature the same, 264 pixels per inch (ppi) density of the current, 9.7-inch model.

Such a move would be beneficial for Apple, particularly because the company’s current line of cases and accessories — such as the Smart Cover and Smart Keyboard, for instance — would still be compatible with the new unit, while ushering in a slightly larger display to work and play on. Alexander echoed those sentiments to Forbes; while renowned display expert and President of DisplayMate Technologies, Raymond Soneira, also chimed in about the benefits of having a larger display packed into the familiar and comfortable form factor that iPad Air/Air 2/Pro 9.7 users have grown accustomed to over the years.

“I think this is a good move because the 9.7 [inch] display is too small and the chassis size on the 12.9 [inch] is too big,” Soneira explained in an email to Forbes, while adding that the display’s aspect ratio will also change due to the additional real estate. “If the new iPad shrinks the bezel and keeps the outside dimensions the same, then the display aspect ratio will increase from the current 1.33 to as high as 1.50.”

Soneira also went on to explain how, in this way, Apple’s 10.5-inch iPad Pro will boast a display that’s approximately 31% larger than the 9.7-inch model, since it will be stretched out so as to embody a bezel-less design.

In addition to the 10.5-inch iPad, Apple is also slated to introduce a more “budget-friendly” update to the venerable 9.7-inch iPad, according to Alexander — as well as a much needed update to the company’s behemoth 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Countering earlier reports, however, Alexander doesn’t seem to believe that the 7.9-inch iPad mini will be updated this year.

In either case, it won’t be long until we find out for certain, since Apple could be unveiling all these models — and more — at a special event sometime next month, even though it’s been rumored that the larger of these devices likely won’t ship until early this summer.

Are you holding out for Apple’s upcoming iPads? 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.]