Leaked sketch of Apple's 'iPad Pro' suggests presence of device's top stereo speakers
This year, Apple is widely expected to launch its largest tablet yet, unofficially dubbed “iPad Pro” or “iPad Air Plus.” One of the new features the upcoming device has been rumored to have is stereo audio through dual top and bottom speakers. And the presence of this feature is suggested in a new leaked image, shown below.
The image, which is said to have been leaked by a Foxconn worker and posted by Nowhere Else, supposedly shows a sketch of the iPad Pro with what appears to be an integrated speaker beside the sleep/wake button at the top side of the device.
This is in line with the device’s rumored dual speakers at the top in addition to another pair at the bottom. Apple’s current line of tablets, the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2 and the 7.9-inch iPad mini 3, features stereo speakers only at the bottom.
The image’s source also notes that the iPad Pro has a thickness of between 6.9 and 7.5 mm thick. This range covers the device’s rumored 7.1 mm thickness, along with a length and a height of about 305 mm and 221 mm, respectively.
“iPad Pro”
The iPad Pro’s display was first rumored to measure 12.9 inches, but was then slightly reduced to 12.2 inches. Either way, the device would be almost as big as the 13-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air, prompting speculations of its ability to run OS X as well as iOS.
In addition to being larger, the iPad Pro is rumored to come equipped with a more powerful “A9” processor. It’s reportedly scheduled to be launched along with the “iPad mini 4,” which is expected to feature a thinner profile and an A8X chip, in the second quarter of 2015.
According to the source of this new leak, the iPad Pro will enter mass production soon.
See also: Apple Watch coming to Europe sooner than previously advertised, Apple iBeacon device detailed in user manual published by FCC, and Apple’s ‘Start Something New’ ad campaign turns retail stores into art galleries.
Image of iPad Air speakers via TechCrunch