9.7-inch iPad Pro tipped for March 15th launch

We are drawing close to the date of Apple's event where new products will be launched. That event is set to happen on March 15 and rumors are swirling that suggest the new iPad Apple will unveil at the event won't be an iPad Air 3 as previously rumored, but will be a new smaller screen iPad Pro tablet. This new tablet is tipped to be a 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

With the debut of the tablet expect to happen March 15; the on sale date will be March 18. The smaller 9.7-inch iPad Pro is said to have the same features and specifications as the larger 12.9-inch tablet. That includes support for Apple Pencil, A9X processor, and the same RAM as the bigger model.

A smaller version of the Apple Smart Keyboard cover for the 9.7-inch unit will be offered and is expected to be ready to ship along with the tablet in March. Other hardware on the smaller tablet is tipped to include quad stereo speakers. Apple is expected to offer the new iPad Pro in the same colors and storage capacities as the larger version with pricing set closer to the cost of the iPad Air models that came before the 9.7-inch offering.

There is indication that with the launch of the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, Apple will be slowing down the production of the iPad mini and original iPad Air models. That means the iPad mini 2 and original iPad Air are expected to be discontinued when the new iPad Pro launches. Apple is still expected to launch the rumored iPhone 5se and new options for the Apple Watch band at the event. We are only a few weeks away from learning how many of these rumors are accurate.

SOURCE: 9to5mac.com