Analyst Skeptical About Imminent Launch for 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro'

A rumored 12.9-inch iPad may still have significant development time left, according to an analyst at IHS, a supply chain research firm. According to CNET, IHS analyst Rhoda Alexander said there were a number of different larger panels, that could be potentially for a larger iPad, floating around display manufacturers -- but not in volumes necessary for an imminent launch.

"Some manufacturers over the last six months have received sample quantities of a larger panel. They're playing around with a product that could possibly be an iPad-related product," she told CNET in a phone interview.

"Various sizes are being reported with 12.85 inches being one of the sizes," she said.

12_9_ipad_ipads_dark

Mockup of 12.9-inch iPad next to iPad Air and iPad mini

Alexander went on to say that IHS did not see significant shipments of any of the larger panels, and suggested that there may not be a market for iPads larger than the current 9.7-inch model. "We have to get a lot further down the line in terms of seeing really strong indicators from Apple that such a product exists, and we're just not at that point."

Samsung launched a 12.2-inch Galaxy tablet earlier this year with some reviewers saying the device was not very portable and awkward to hold for long periods of time.

According to a research report from Evercore analyst Patrick Wang, Apple's larger iPad may be aimed at the enterprise market. Recent rumors have indicated that the 12.9-inch iPad will launch no earlier than the third quarter of 2014.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Don't Buy)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

HiRez Avatar
151 months ago
"Analyst" is skeptical? Shouldn't everyone be skeptical?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lk400 Avatar
151 months ago
One analyst says that the product another analyst made up isnt ready yet. Analystception.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jasonefmonk Avatar
151 months ago
I think the app grid starts to fail with that many icons. It's reminds me of the things I don't like about Launchpad.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
organerito Avatar
151 months ago
Musicians like me who have already left paper behind would love this size. Average music is 8 1/2 x 11 and larger, and tough on the eyes with the standard iPad. I've been hoping for a while that this rumor is true.

I am there with you!
I am an organist. if I play a two-keyboard organ, the iPad is still ok. If I play any organ with more than 3 keyboards, the iPad is too small.
People in orchestras, choirs would love to have a 8 1/2 x 11 iPad. The only complain I always hear about the iPad as a music sheet reader is its small size.
I would two iPads Pro on release day.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
melendezest Avatar
151 months ago
Who is this product aimed at?

Pro users (better off using MacBook Pro if they are doing serious work)
Regular users (they will use iPad or iPad mini)

*Sigh*

"Pro Users". "Serious work". Why does everyone like to oversimplify everything and put it in a box?

People are using the iPad for "serious work". They are getting paid for it. Hence, "Pros" are using iPads. Perhaps you mean "computing intensive tasks" as the only instance of "serious work"?

Who is this product aimed at? Anyone who likes or can benefit from a bigger screen, more typing real-estate, the iPad app ecosystem, and does not require the high-powered laptop to do autocad or whatever. Musicians would definitely be all over it.

Something like this:

MacRumors content image

or this:

MacRumors content image

or this:

MacRumors content image
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alighieri Avatar
151 months ago
Musicians want this!

Musicians like me who have already left paper behind would love this size. Average music is 8 1/2 x 11 and larger, and tough on the eyes with the standard iPad. I've been hoping for a while that this rumor is true.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)