Samsung mimicking rumored iPad Pro 2 specs; 3 new iPhones in 2017?

Whispers abound in the tech world today around major mobile brands, Apple and Samsung. Word around the water cooler is Apple may be prepping for the release of three new iPhones in 2017, while the new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen mirrors the rumored specifications of the upcoming iPad Pro 2.

Three New Apple iPhones in 2017?

Apple, Inc. just delivered it’s latest mobile products last month, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. It was a glorious occasion for Apple fans, who wasted no time ordering millions of the new devices. But according to the rumor mill, they will have another new iPhone – or rather, three of them – to choose from in the coming year.

Nikkei Asian Review tells us that an “industry source” leaked information about a trio of iPhone 8 models that may sports glass backs, much like the older versions of years past. Apple used glass backs on earlier iPhone models, but had since converted to aluminum casings with the release of the iPhone 5 in 2012.

According to the report, the new iPhones are being specially designed to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the Apple iPhone brand, and will come in three sizes – 4.7in, 5in and 5.5in. The glass backs are expected to be manufactured by China-based Beil Crystal Manufactury and Lens Technology.

The industry source told Nikkei:

“Apple has tentatively decided that all the 5.5-inch, 5-inch and 4.7-inch models will have glass backs, departing from metal casings adopted by current iPhones, and Biel and Lens are likely to be providing all the glass backs for the new iPhones next year.”

Galaxy Tab A Beats iPad Pro 2 to the Punch

Samsung has officially announced the impending release of the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen, the company’s latest and greatest in mobile tablet technology. It’s slated for release tomorrow, October 28, 2016, and according to the specifications revealed by Samsung, they may have taken a page from the rumor books regarding the upcoming Apple iPad Pro 2.

Many thought the iPad Pro 2 would be revealed in September, alongside the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, but that didn’t happen. The end result is a wave of speculations as to what features the next Apple iPad will tout. One thing most so-called tech experts agree on is that the launch will “likely” occur in March 2017.

While the iPad Pro 2 is expected to come in two or three sizes, one of them is rumored to be a 10.1in screen size, like the Galaxy Tab A.

That’s about as far as the comparison went, though. It’s suspected that two of the versions will carry the A10X processor, with the smaller boasting the older A9X. However, both of those are faster (2.23GHz and 2.16Ghz respectively) than the Exynos 7870 processor (1.6GHz) loaded up on Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen.

The new Samsung tablet will also come equipped with 3GB RAM and 16GB internal storage (expandable with MicroSD). It will run the Android Marshmallow 6.0 OS, featuring a laudable 1920×1200 screen resolution. Add to that an 8MP rear facing camera and 2MP front facing camera, plus 7,300mAh battery, and it’s a fairly impressive design.

Chances are, though, the iPad Pro 2 will top most of those specs. Even the original iPad Pro 9.7 beats it in most areas, aside from a lower 2GB RAM.

The biggest difference is the price point – the one reason Samsung has always managed to outperform Apple. There’s no word yet on what the iPad Pro 2 will retail for when it finally comes to market, but the original iPad Pro 9.7 is still priced at $599, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen will go on sale tomorrow for $349 w/WiFi.