There was a time when the 9.7-inch iPad was the flagship tablet of Apple. In fact, when the first iteration of the device was unveiled by the late Steve Jobs back in 2010, he called the device "magical and revolutionary." Offered at $499, the first iPad hit the sweet spot for customers who wanted something bigger than an iPhone and something more portable than a Mac.
What made the original iPad and its successors before the iPad Mini 2 so endearing was the fact that the 9.7-inch tablet boasted premium specs that were not found on comparable devices. There was a prestige to the line, with users of the 9.7-inch device feeling that they were using a flagship device.
Fast forward several years later, and the 9.7-inch iPad has found itself playing second fiddle in sales compared to its smaller sibling, the equally capable, yet more affordable, iPad Mini. Specs-wise, the 9.7-inch tablet also found itself inferior to the company's flagship tablet, the mammoth 12.9-inch iPad Pro. Thus, the upcoming release of Apple's newest 9.7-inch tablet on Monday might very well be a make-or-break moment for the iconic device.
One of the ways that Apple could recapture the magic of the original iPad is, of course, to make the new 9.7-inch tablet far superior to its smaller sibling, the iPad Mini 4. If consumers could see that the 9.7-inch iPad is once more in a class above the Mini line, there is a very good chance that fans would find the new device endearing enough.
Rumors have been abounding that the new 9.7-inch tablet would carry comparable specs to the company's 12.9-inch iPad Pro. If Apple does decide to do this, Apple might end up creating a winner in the newest 9.7-inch tablet. After all, the Pro's bells and whistles are enough to make the new iPad a machine that is worthy of being considered a flagship device once more.
Leaks and sketches featuring alleged designs of the new 9.7-inch tablet are quite encouraging, as several leaks have exhibited several encouraging design cues from the upcoming device. Among these would be a smart connector and a four-speaker audio system, as well as support for the Apple Pencil.
Of course, very little is definite about Apple's new 9.7-inch device. However, considering that the 9.7-inch line carries not just prestige, but also some nostalgia from the Steve Jobs era, fans could only hope that Apple gives the 9.7-inch iPad some worthy treatment.
