The iPad Pro is rumoured to be coming in September

A larger iPad that the media’s dubbed the iPad Pro has been rumoured since at least 2013, but Bloomberg’s now reporting that it’s definitely going to happen – just not until later this year.

They say that problems with the display panel supply have held up production of the device, which could have a screen anywhere from 12.2 to 12.9 inches. (The current Mini is 7.9-inch, while the Air 2 is 9.7.) Rumours last year also suggested it would be even thinner than the iPhone 6 Plus’s 7mm, at just 6.9mm thick, and that it would have a more high definition screen plus stereo speakers at the top and bottom of the screen for better sound.

However, the Wall Street Journal claims the design of the tablet is still in dispute, particularly port placement, including whether it should have a USB 3.0 port, and ports for a keyboard and mouse so it could become an impromptu computer.

Tech commentators expected the new model to be announced alongside the iPad Air 2 and Mini 3 at Apple’s event last October, but Cupertino’s remained schtum on the subject. If they are planning on launching the iPad Pro (or whatever it’ll actually be called) this September, they’ll no doubt be hoping it boosts iPad sales, as they dropped by 18% last year (reducing profits from $11.5 billion to a paltry $9 bn), probably in part because of the increase in screen size in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

Given how well getting larger has worked for its phones, it only makes sense that Apple would be taking ‘Go big or go home’ literally for its iPads, too.

Diane Shipley