Apple is expected to release three iPad variants in 2017 with the smallest possibly succeeding the iPad Mini 4 (Photo : Getty Images/Justin Sullivan)
The next-generation iPad Pro series will be potentially more powerful and faster than its immediate predecessors thanks to the beastly A10X mobile processing chip. The projected CPU bump is also seen to boost up the rumored iPad Mini 5.
From the A9X processor seen first with the 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch iPad Pros, Apple is believed to make a huge jump and use A10X, which is the beefed up version of the A10 chips that mighty up both the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The proof of this was provided by a leaked Geekbench result, CNET said in a report.
And the scores carried by the benchmark testing were simply jaw-dropping. In the multi-core test, for instance, the A10X registered 6588 as opposed to the 4990 managed by the A9X. The performance gap, CNET said, between the two is around 30 percent, which is nothing short of impressive.
"If these numbers are to be believed and the A10X shows up in an upcoming iPad Pro, it would far surpass the performance of the A9X powered original," the report said adding that Apple seems tweaking the next versions for optimal productivity.
While Apple is yet to confirm anything on the subject, speculations are rife that the tech giant will unleash a total of four iPad builds in the upcoming months. The iPad Pro is said to be released in three screen sizes - the follow up to the original 12.9-inch and 9.7-inch flavors and a new 10.9-inch edition.
And rumors say that the iPad Air will be no more but Apple will keep the 7.9-inch compact iPad and provide a fifth version that is known for now as the iPad Mini 5. In a report, Mobile & Apps said that the smallest of the iPads will boast of a robust chassis made of 7000-series aluminum.
Inside though, it remains unclear if the iPad Mini 5 will have the A10X chip as main engine or Apple will tone down a bit and settle for the A9X but the device is likely to get RAM provisions of up to 3GB. Touch ID and 3D Touch will be part of the iPad deal across the board.
It is expected that the iPad Pro release date will be staggered by Apple with the 12.9-inch refresh debuting first, possibly before yearend. The rest will follow in 2017, the iPad Mini 5 including and all tablets will be powered by iOS 10.
