iPad Pro 2 release date, price

Apple didn't launch a new iPad Pro 2 today alongside the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and Apple Watch 2. Here's everything we know so far about the iPad Pro 2 rumors.

Apple launched its largest ever tablet in September last year. The iPad Pro 12.9came with a huge 12.9-inch screen, supported the Apple Pencil stylus and packed a powerful processor - it was a big change to the iPad game.

We were big fans, giving it 4.5-stars in our full TechRadar review, praising the slate for its impressive front-facing speakers and great display among other things.

Then there was the iPad Pro 9.7, an iPad Air 2 replacement which came with a smaller screen, new True Tone technology and all of the features we'd already seen on the original iPad Pro.

But we need a new large-screen iPad for 2016, and the good news is it's possible we'll get one: the rumored device is likely to replace both Pro models and may come in a third size too. Here's everything we know so far about the iPad Pro 2.

Cut to the case

• What is it? The next tablet from Apple
• When is it out? Maybe not until next year
• What will it cost? It'll be expensive. Expect $799 (£679, AU$1249)

iPad Pro 2 release date

The original iPad Pro is over a year old but considering the iPad Pro 9.7 came out earlier this year and demand for new tablets isn't high at the moment, it's no surprise we're going to be waiting longer for an iPad Pro 2.

So far there's no sign of an official launch date, but we'll keep our eyes peeled. But with little iPad Pro 2 news we suspect the slate won't arrive until early 2017.

With no immediate sign of the slate and the iPad Pro 9.7 already launching this year it's likely that the iPad Pro 2 will slip into 2017, possibly launching in March, as the iPad Pro 9.7 launched in March 2016.

iPad Pro 2 price

There's no news on pricing yet, so we only have the original iPad Pro's pricing to go from. That starts at $599 (£499, AU$899) for the 9.7-inch model and $799 (£679, AU$1249) for the 12.9-inch one, so with pricing likely to be similar for the Pro 2 it certainly won't be easy on the wallet.

iPad Pro 2 design

Hottest leaks:

• A slimmer, lighter slate
• Water resistance
• No headphone port

Not much is known about the iPad Pro 2 just yet - but leaked photos of a new Apple tablet have shown off what some believe to be the iPad Pro 2.

They came from a source working on the Chinese supply line - according to Apple Insider - and show off the tablet's screen with a model number of MH1Z2CD/F.

That number's not attached to any existing product, so it'd make sense for this to be the iPad Pro 2. The photos don't show off any specific changes though, so it may look just like the original iPad Pro tablet.

That wouldn't be a surprise, especially as Apple only just reinvented the iPad to some extent with the launch of the Pro range.

That said, there's a fair chance the company will try to make the new slates slimmer and lighter, as this is something Apple often does with new models and it could really benefit the larger model, as the iPad Pro 12.9 weighs a hefty 713g.

Apple also removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7, so this may be a change Apple brings over to the iPad range too.

Apple may also make the iPad Pro 2 water and dust resistant, like the iPhone 7. While a tablet - which is typically used indoors - is arguably less in need of that protection it would still help defend it against spilled drinks.

We're not expecting big changes to the design of the iPad Pro 2, but it may well get slimmer and lighter, as well as borrowing some design cues from the iPhone 7.

iPad Pro 2 OS and power

Hottest leaks:

• A powerful A10X processor
• iOS 10
• 4GB of RAM

We'd fully expect the iPad Pro 2 will launch with iOS 10 - Apple's latest mobile operating system software upgrade. iOS 10 includes big improvements to Siri, the ability to live broadcast apps, a new look (and a lot less clutter) in the Control Center and more besides.

It wouldn't be a new iPad without a new processor and Apple is rumored to be sticking an A10X chip in the iPad Pro 2. A Geekbench leak suggests it'll be far more powerful than the original iPad Pro

It suggests it'll have a single-core score of 4236 and a multi-core score of 6588. By comparison the original iPad Pro had a multi-core score of 5472.

We could also see more RAM in the iPad Pro 2, or at least the 9.7-inch model. The iPad Pro 12.9 already has 4GB of RAM, but the iPad Pro 9.7 has just 2GB, so it would make sense for Apple to push the new model up in line with the 12.9-inch slate (and if we get a 10.5-inch model to equip that with 4GB of RAM too).

It's unlikely Apple will jump from two to six cores for the A10X chip, but it's bound to be very powerful all the same, and a sharp step forward in graphics processing especially. 4GB of RAM across the board would make sense and iOS 10 is all but guaranteed.