iPad Pro 2 release date, specs news & update: Next lineup may include an upgraded and renamed 7.9-inch iPad Mini

Apple may be planning on releasing the iPad Pro 2 in three variants and they may come not sooner than spring next year. One notable claim is that the iPad Mini may move up to become a Pro.

This is according to a report by the Japanese news site, Mac Otakara, as cited by MacRumors. The report stated that Apple will be releasing three iPad Pro sizes in 2017, which corroborated the report released by KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo back in August, expecting a couple of notable differences.

Kuo's report speculated possible 12.9-inch, 10.5-inch and 9.7-inch iPad Pro models, while Mac Otakara reported possible 12.9-inch, 10.1-inch and 7.9-inch variants based on claims by allegedly "reliable sources."

The 12.9-inch model will reportedly feature the same True Tone display of its 9.7-inch predecessor, which automatically makes adjustments to screen's display based on the light and color temperature of the current environment.

It will also be equipped with a 12-megapixel rear camera complemented by True Tone flash for a more realistic image capture.

The 7.9-inch model is actually an upgraded iPad Mini with the Pro's features, hence the transfer to the iPad Pro lineup. It will be equipped with a Smart Connector that provides a connection for a Smart Keyboard. To keep the iPad Pro's features uniform across all variants, the 7.9-inch model will also feature four speakers and a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera along with True Tone flash.

Although it does not coincide at all with the earlier report from Kuo, the 10.1-inch variant will reportedly also have the same features as the two other models. All three iPad Pro sizes will be equipped with quad microphones and will also keep the 3.5mm headphone jacks.

Mac Otakara had been the first to leak some of the reports that turned out to be true about previous Apple products, like the removal of the headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and the addition of black and jet black in the smartphone's color schemes.

However, this does not at all prove the accuracy of their latest report, so iPad Pro fans should take these rumored features with a grain of salt.

The current rumored release date is spring 2017. TechRadar speculated that the iPad Pro 2 may sell at around $799.

Apple has yet to release an official statement regarding a possible iPad Pro 2 release.