Education-centric iPad most likely to ship with Apple Pencil support, reveals Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple is scheduled to unveil the next-generation iPad with a 9.7-inch display and Apple Pencil at an event to be held in Chicago. The event is said to focus on education and the new device will have new tools to enhance learning productivity. The media invite also reveals the fact that Apple Pencil will also be launched. The main attraction of the new iPad is that it provides support for Apple Pencil and it has been confirmed by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

According to Kuo, the new iPad has been developed to compete with convertible Windows laptops and Google Chromebooks. The aim of the Apple Pencil is to enable people to identify a low-cost Android tablet with the iPad.

Kuo also added that the upcoming 9.7-inch iPad model will have a market share of 70 percent of all iPads shipped throughout 2018. The main reason is attributed to the fact that the $329 iPad released in 2017 was sold out like hot cakes with over 44 million units selling out across the world.

Based on rumors, we can infer that the 2018 iPad model with 9.7-inch display will cost $259, which is significantly less when compared to the previous counterpart. However, you will be disappointed if you came to know that the Cupertino-based tech giant won’t bundle Apple pencil. You will have to shell out another $99 to buy the pencil stylus. There are reports that Apple will launch a new Bluetooth keyboard, which will be available for a separate price.

Kuo also added that Apple will integrate Pencil support for iPhones within the next few years. We can expect the integration of Apple Pencil with iPhone X in 2019.