Apple to ramp up production of 10.5-inch iPad Pro

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The new iPad Pro may feature smaller bezels.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple is reportedly planning to increase production of the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro ahead of its official debut.

The device is said to have entered mass production back in March or April, with monthly shipments currently at around 500,000 units. However, in July, that figure will rise to 600,000.

Apple clearly has high hopes for its next tablet, which is expected to replace the existing 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Recent rumors have suggested that the device will remain the same size, with Apple finally slimming the thickness of its bezels to accommodate a bigger screen without increasing its footprint.

The device will go on sale alongside the more affordable 9.7-inch iPad introduced back in March, and a refreshed 12.9-inch iPad Pro with improved specifications that could make its debut at WWDC next month. The iPad mini is expected to get the chop due to disappointing sales.

The increase in production will allow Apple to ship between 5 million and 6 million units of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro this year, according to sources for Digitimes

Demand for the new 9.7-inch iPad is also expected to “pick up strongly” around the end of the second quarter, then peak in the third quarter. This will reportedly increase monthly shipments of the device to over 4 million units during June and July.

This, alongside new iPad Pros, will boost worldwide tablet shipments for the second quarter, but overall iPad shipments are still expected to drop year-over-year.

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