Apple iPad Pro release could be near as more leaks point to a 12-plus inch device

Apple is expected to release the 2015 version of the iPad sometime during September or October and it is highly anticipated that we could get to see a larger sized Pro version of the tablet being unveiled.

This even as the latest tablet sales figures continues to point to a decline in sales for the second consecutive quarter.

The rumours of a bigger sized iPad has been floating since 2014. Although there has been no official confirmation from Apple about the change, we could very well see Apple making the announcement this year.

Some of the recent leaks have clearly indicates that the iPad Pro or iPad Max or whatever Apple decides to call its latest edition of the iPad could increase its screen size from 9.7 inches to 12.3 or 12.9 inches.

The latest leak is a video explaining the schematics of the new device and comparing the cases of the iPad Pro with that of the iPad Air 2.

According to this video the device will feature a screens size that would match the Macbook Air made of the 7000 series aluminum that is used in the Apple Watch Sport edition.

Below is the video that has been uploaded onto YouTube by UnboxTherapy.

As is clearly evident that video uses specs that could be from renders and mockups.

French Tech blog Nowhereelse too had posted some leaked images of the chassis of a purported iPad pro. The images suggest that the iPad Pro is likely to have a screen with a diagonal of roughly 12.9 inches and further goes on to indicate a slimmer device compared to that of iPad Air 2. The device is expected to be about 7.2mm thick and measure about 305.70mm x 222.60mm.

But will an mere increase in screen size be sufficient enough for Apple to turn around the iPad and reverse the sales trend.

The challenge for Apple could be to come out with a new OS for the iPad Pro, or enabling touch to the desktop OS and importing it into the iPad.

Last year Samsung unveiled two new 12.2-inch tablets, one each from the NotePro and TabPro series, but the devices, failed to garner much interest.

Microsoft was the first to attempt to tap into the true tablet sum laptop segment with its Surface pro. This was soon followed by various OEM’s which launched their own windows based devices.

As one of the online comment points out,  “If Apple comes out with a touch-friendly desktop OS, then this would be great for it. That SIM card tray would be good to see but you never know with Apple nowadays. It's the software and hardware combined experience that really would sell a product,” says Steven Kistler.

Commenting on the SIM card slot another comment notes, “Why does a case need a cut out for a SIM slot? How often is someone going to be swapping out a SIM card. A larger iPad will likely be aimed for more of a school/work use. This could be Apple answer to a surface pro. A slot for the new USB type c port will make more sense.”

Last year JPMorgan analyst Rod Hall had stated that an iOS device priced between $500 and $1,000 and combine the features of a tablet cum laptop could easily sell about 25 million units.

*Apple losing race in $64 billion market for not having iPad-cum-laptop*

AS far tablets itself the latest IDC reports are pointing to a second consecutive quarterly decline. Tablet and 2-in-1 device shipments dropped 5.9 percent compared to the same quarter last year, down to 47.1 million.

Apple still leads the overall market despite five consecutive quarters of negative annual shipment growth. Apple shipped 12.6 million iPads in the first quarter, capturing 26.8 per cent  of the market in volume and declining -22.9 per cent when compared to 1Q14.

Samsung (19.1 per cent share) maintained its second place in the market despite a -16.5 per cent decline in shipments compared to the same period last year. Lenovo (5.3 per cent share), Asus (3.8  per cent) and LG (3.1 per cent) rounded out the top 5 positions.

During the same period in 2014 Apple had shipped 16.4 million units and held 32.7 per cent market share. Acording to the IDC iPads continue to suffer from the success of the new iPhone and to a lesser extent of the Mac product line. IDC expects Apple to record negative growth until the iPad portfolio is significantly refreshed, either with the expected increase in screen sizes or by introducing a dedicated version of iOS for its tablet lineup.