Rumored 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' May Include More Powerful A8X Processor - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Rumored 12.9-Inch 'iPad Pro' May Include More Powerful A8X Processor

Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablet is rumored to be landing as soon as early 2015, with the latest report from Taiwan's TechNews (via G For Games) suggesting the tablet will feature an improved A8X processor. Similar to Apple's previous A5X and A6X processors, the A8X would presumably be an graphics-enhanced version of Apple's current A8 processor that debuted in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus.

ipadpromockup
Apple shifted away from using an "X" version of its base iOS device chip last year, opting to power the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini with the same A7 chip found in the iPhone 5s, albeit clocked slightly faster on the iPad Air. But with a higher-resolution "iPad Pro", the graphics needs are likely high enough to require an enhanced main chip.

In its recent report, TechNews also reiterates its previous claim that Apple's iPad Air 2 will feature 2 GB of RAM. This increased RAM would be a boost from the 1 GB present in both the current-generation iPad Air and the company's new iPhone 6 and 6 Plus handsets. It also may serve to set the iPad Air 2 apart from the next Retina iPad mini, which is rumored to keep its current 1 GB RAM configuration.

While the iPad Pro may land next year, Apple's iPad Air 2 is expected to be introduced sometime in the coming month. The new tablet may launch in time for the holiday shopping season with a redesign possibly including marginally a thinner body, redesigned speaker grille and other improvements such as Touch ID.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

Popular Stories

iPad Pro 2024 Space Black

Apple Has Likely Abandoned 'iPad Ultra' Plans

Wednesday April 29, 2026 10:30 am PDT by
Apple has reportedly abandoned plans for a foldable "iPad Ultra" following years of disappointing sales performance for the iPad Pro. The claim predominantly comes from the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," who posted the remark in response to a question about whether the iPad would join a rumored "Ultra" series of Apple devices. Instant Digital listed the Apple Watch Ultra, M-series...
Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...
Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...

Top Rated Comments

sshambles Avatar
152 months ago
4 bend jokes in a row there. How original! :rolleyes:
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
152 months ago
I can't wait to watch porn on this thing.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McFreggle Avatar
152 months ago
*sigh*

I guess we'll have to learn to live with the "will it bend" "joke" with every Apple-related news item in the coming weeks. :(

Oh well. At least nobody's asking if Safari runs snappier on it.
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
152 months ago
calling it now.. only 1GB of RAM
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ombrenelcielo Avatar
152 months ago
But the real question is: will it bend?
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bushido Avatar
152 months ago
i will probably get flamed for this on here but its useless if they wont re-design iOS to take full advantage of bigger screens with adjusted features in the future.

lets face it our iPads basically run the iOS of a 3.5/4.0 device (i mean just look at the damn folder layout) and even the iPhone 6 / 6+ doesnt add much more functions than being able to read more at the same time.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)