When the first iPad launched back in 2010, Apple created a product category all on its own, driving rivals to bust out their own competing devices.
Apple has a very occasional release history when it comes to tablets, so we can't really rely on previous launches to guide us. Instead, we turn to the abundance of rumors indicating to an early 2017 launch. Most industry sources suggest supply chains are gearing up to deliver components for a product release in the first or second quarter of next year. So expect to see at least one "New Apple iPad Pro 2" before July 2017.
There's a chance that Apple may settle on one "Single Brand Name" in 2017, and stick with a generally popular screen size in the 10-inch range.
There's pressure to make such a move, too. In November; the Snapdragon 835 chip, which is built using "Samsung's 10nm FinFET" process. That chip is said to appear in mobile devices very early on in 2017, and is believed to offer either 40 percent lower power consumption or 27 percent higher performance, depending on how it is configured. Apple may not want to run the risk of releasing a tablet with outdated chip technology on board, although we're not entirely convinced either way.
If the iPad Pro 2 lands early next year, then it will almost certainly run on the latest version of "Apple's Mobile Operating System," which carries iOS 10. But if it arrives later in September, alongside with iPhone 8, then it's far more likely to run on iOS 11. So if Apple was to release a 10-inch iPad in 2017; we'd expect it to cost anywhere from £300 to £700, depending on the specifications.
But if you're not a steadfast Apple fan then there are a bunch of great "Android and Windows alternatives," too. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (£330) is still a decent buy, and the Windows-powered Galaxy TabPro S (£500) is also very compelling. And don't forget rival offerings, such as the Huawei Mediapad M3 (£311), the Amazon Fire HD 6 (£80), or the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro (£400).
