iPad Pro 2 release date, specs rumors, news: next 10.9-inch bezel-less variant to come without a home button

Cupertino-based tech behemoth Apple Inc. may very well be eager to show off with its 10th-year anniversary iPhone iteration in 2017 based on the recent speculations generated by trusted rumor mills. As of late, iPhone 8 has been frequenting these circles, indicating that the next entry may come with killer features such as the ditching of its home button, further enabling the long-standing tip that the smartphone may go bezel-less.

But in a shocking turn, it now appears that Apple is very much eager to introduce these radical changes not only to their iconic iPhones but to their favorited roster of iPads as well. And even better, this iteration may launch ahead of the iPhone offerings.

According to Japanese website Mac Otakara, Apple is brewing a nearly bezel-free 10.9-inch iPad Pro, which will come without a home button. In addition, the almost-bezel-free design will enable the 10.9-inch variant to acquire the similar footprint to that of its 9.7-inch iPad Pro offering before. Meanwhile, a top bezel will reportedly remain in order to house the front-facing FaceTime camera. As such, the bottom bezel, while it will still remain, is now tipped to be reduced, the supply chain sources have outed.

On the other hand, the rumored 10.9-inch variant will also be thicker at 7.5mm, similar to the first-generation iPad Air's depth. For comparison, the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro is measured at 6.1mm thickness. 

Previously, a group of Barclays analysts has revealed that Apple may be launching a trio of iPad Pro models on March 2017, which will include the now-rumored 10.9-inch bezel-less version, along with the refreshed 9.7-inch and 12.9-inch offerings. 

The same publication has also noted that the 10.9-inch variant will be equipped with quad microphones and would still retain the 3.5mm headphone jack.