Apple's next iPad will be a smaller iPad Pro, report says

Karissa Bell
Updated
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110915-ipad-pro-thumbnail-2

Apple is gearing up to debut a new smaller iPad but it won't be another iPad Air, according to a new report.

Instead, the company will show off a smaller iPad Pro during its upcoming March event, 9to5Mac reports.

See also: Apple may finally be bringing Siri to the Mac

The new iPad Pro "will have nearly identical features and specifications as the bigger model," the report says, including the same A9X chip in the current version of the iPad Pro. Support for Apple's Pencil stylus is "likely" and the company is also reportedly working on a smaller version of its Smart Keyboard accessory to fit the new device.

A source close to Apple also tells Mashable that the next iPad will be available in rose gold.

Apple is expected to show off its new tablet at an event next month, which previous reports have suggested will take place in on March 15. The new iPad could go on sale as early as March 18, according to 9to5Mac.

What this means for the rest of the iPad line is unclear. 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman says Apple is looking to "simplify" its tablet offerings and his sources suggest the company may be getting ready to discontinue the older iPad Mini and original iPad Air with the launch of the smaller iPad Pro.

Additional reporting by Christina Warren.