Apple reportedly working on a 10.5in iPad

When in doubt, add screen sizes. That has seemed to be the approach to growth in the smartphone and tablet markets the last few years. For some companies, that strategy has paid off. Offering larger smartphones helped Samsung gain its strong foothold in the market. Apple eventually had to follow suit. Apple could be pursuing trends yet again in the tablet market. Taiwan suppliers told Digitimes that Apple will launch a 10.5in iPad in 2017, adding a fourth screen size to the world's most popular line of tablets.

Apple already offers iPads with screens sized 7.9, 9.7 and 12.9in. The 12.9in iPad Pro was mocked by some for copying Microsoft's two-in-one Surface Pro line of tablets. Apple might be recognizing another opportunity in the market thanks to the competition. The company has reportedly noticed that 10in tablets do well in the enterprise and education sectors. A 10.5in iPad could also be launched alongside a cheaper 9.7in version to better compete with Android tablets.

Digitimes is said to have a mixed record when it comes to reporting on buzz like this. Rumors about Apple products in mainland China also get fed by China suppliers and are not always reliable. Apple likes to keep selections of its products simple for consumers, but diversifying makes sense for the company. The tech giant’s annual profits declined for the first time in 15 years for 2016. It might be wary about introducing more options that could confuse consumers, but adding a screen size is also a way of capturing part of the market that has hitherto avoided iPads.

Whether or not Apple goes ahead with this new iPad, the rumors might be good news for China tablet makers. One of the most popular screen sizes for Windows and Android tablets is 10.1in. This has been true for several years, so the popularity of 10in tablets has been relatively consistent. The 9.7in iPad is not that far off in size, but maybe Apple sees something to be gained with one more option.