In a follow-up to previous rumours, a new report claims that Apple is testing different prototypes of 12.9-inch iPad models, made for the company by its Chinese assembler partner Foxconn.
According to a
report by Chinese publication PadNews (via
Apple Insider), Apple is currently testing five different 12.9-inch iPad prototypes made by Foxconn. The report also mentions that Apple could launch a new iPad that features a 2K resolution screen, in the first half of 2014, and a 4K resolution screen, a few months after that.
The report cites sources as saying that Apple could launch the first model of the larger iPad in April and the 4K ultra-HD variant as part of the regular iPad launch in October 2014.
The report did not specify the resolution of the purported larger iPad models.
It's not the first time that rumours related to large screen iPads have surfaced.
Previously, the Wall Street Journal had reported that
Apple was testing a new tablet measuring slightly less than 13-inches diagonally, citing officials at Apple's suppliers. Another report by Digitimes also hinted at
Apple and Samsung working on devices with 12-inch or larger displays for their respective tablets.
Korean website ETNews.com had also reported that Apple was
working on a new larger iPad with a 12.9-inch diagonal screen which would be called iPad Maxi. It had said that this iPad variant would launch in the first half of 2014 and would take on Ultrabooks. It would also target the educational market with digital textbooks. The website cited industry sources to report that Apple was in talks with display and component manufacturers in Korea for supplies for this tablet.