While recent reports have pegged Apple’s rumored larger display tablet for debut early next year, a new report from Asian site Technews.tw (via GforGames) claims the rumored 12.9-inch iPad will run on an “enhanced version” of the A8 chip introduced with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
According to the site, the iPad Pro, an unofficial name given to the expected larger model, will rely on a new A8X chip to power the largest iOS device yet. Although the next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display are both expected to include the same processor as the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, Apple has introduced higher performance versions of its chips in the past with the iPad in mind.
Apple previously included modified versions of its A-series processors starting with the iPad 3’s A5x and iPad 4’s A6X, which boasted improved CPU performance and greater graphics performance than the standard variants of each chip.
In the case of the iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad mini with Retina display, however, Apple has included nearly the same versions of A-series processors found in the iPhone lineup.
TechNews.tw’s report echoes previous claims that the iPad Air 2 will feature the A8 chip with 2GB of RAM, twice that of any other iOS device yet, while new iPad mini with Retina display models could come later. The new tablets are expected to feature Touch ID and improved cameras as well.
Reports as recently as earlier this week have reiterated these claims. The next-generation iPad Air is expected to be introduced in October, while both the smaller and larger versions may see launches early next year.
