Report claims Apple’s next big iPad announcement won’t be what we expected

Before today, I expected that Apple in March would until its third-generation iPad Air. However, a new report from 9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple is going to throw a curveball: Instead of unveiling an iPad Air 3, the new tablet will actually be a smaller version of the iPad Pro. In other words, it sounds like the days when the iPad was a completely keyboard-free device may be at a close.

FROM EARLIER: Apple is making an unhackable iPhone and we have the FBI to thank

Specifically, Gurman says that the “smaller iPad Pro will have nearly identical features and specifications as the bigger model, bringing along the A9X processor and RAM upgrades from the 12.9-inch model.” He also says it have its own smaller version of the iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard and will have support for the Apple Pencil stylus as well. Gurman also says that quad-stereo speakers will be included in the smaller iPad Pro, just as they are in the larger version of the device.

Apple is expected to launch the new iPad Pro in March alongside the iPhone 5se, which will basically be a smaller version of the iPhone 6s and will be less costly compared to Apple’s flagship iPhones.

Check out Gurman’s full report on the new iPad at this link.

Related stories

Microsoft: iPad Pro will never be more than a 'companion' device

Our favorite new iPhone feature Apple added in iOS 9.2

Apple has confirmed a major iPad Pro display issue

More from BGR: Who’s going to win big at the Oscars on Sunday?

This article was originally published on BGR.com