Apple may launch 3 iPad models in 2017 including a bezel free variant

Apple might unveil three new models of the iPad Pro in March 2017 as per a Barclays Research report. The variants will consist of the existing 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch screen sizes as well as a brand new 10.9-inch model which is likely to have bezel-free edges.

Barclays Research analysts Blayne Curtis, Christopher Hemmelgarn, Thomas O'Malley, and Jerry Zhang made the claim for these new refreshed models citing sources within the company's Asian supply chain. The analysts say the 10.9-inch model's edgeless design will make it physically the same size as the current-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro. This could also signal the removal of the Home button.

iPads are currently being retailed in three sizes, the iPad Mini, with a 7.9-inch screen, the classic iPad, with a 9.7-inch screen and the iPad Pro sporting a rather chunky 12.9-inch screen. If the latest reportis to be believed the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro could be another "low-cost" model alongside the 7.9-inch iPad mini, which is less likely to be refreshed alongside the larger tablets.

Prior to this well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities had also hinted at a new iPad with a screen size of 10.5-inches. Japanese website Mac Otakara had put the screen size for this new iPad at 10.1-inches.

The analysts have also predicted that the iPhone 8, due to be released next year, may also get a bezel less design, too.

"iPhone 8 design does not sound 100% locked down but we believe the move is to a bezel-less design with screen sizes getting larger and curved edges in the original envelope," said their research note.

While both the iPad Pro models as and the iPhone 8 are expected to be launched in 2017, the iPad family may welcome its new members much sooner in the beginning f the year. The 2017 iPhone, on the other hand is most likely going to be unveiled towards the end of the year.