iPad 2018 release - Apple could bring radical changes to this year's tablet

APPLE's iPad 2018 could bring a host of new changes that radically alter how the tablet performs and functions if a new report is to be believed.

Apple's new iPad is expected to be announced later this year; the company has announced a hardware event for September 12 that is presumed to showcase the future of its iPhone and Apple Watch line.
It is also likely its AirPower accessory will be displayed at its Cupertino campus on the same day.
But with the company predicted to showcase three new iPhone models, it is likely the tech giant will wait until later in the year to show off the next generation of its lauded tablet line.
It has been rumoured Apple will launch a direct successor to the iPhone X in addition to a larger 6.5-inch iPhone that will also carry an all-screen design on Wednesday.
Lastly the tech giant has also been said to be planning an unveiling of a cheaper iPhone model that will forgo some premium features to help lower costs.
And with Apple also presumed to hold another hardware event in October based around its Mac line of computers, then would seem to a good time to also show off new iPads.
The 2018 version of the tablet has been widely rumoured to take from the iPhone X by radically reducing bezels, introducing Face ID as a method of unlocking the device and removing the headphone jack.
And now a new report from Bloomberg has echoed such speculation by insisting the home button will be removed in favour of futuristic face unlocking.
The publication cited from "people familiar with the plans" and declared Apple's latest batch of iPad Pros will come in 11-inch and 12.9-inch variants.
The report insisted the device will feature "slimmer bezels" and will enforce gesture navigations to compensate for the lack of a home button.
Most notably the sources declared the iPad mini will not be treated to an upgrade.
The smaller tablet from Apple last saw an upgrade in 2015.
iPad mini currently touts an A8 processor, 7.89-inch display and has a Touch ID sensor.
Apple's Pencil accessory is not compatible with the miniature device.
In comparison the iPad Pro currently comes in a 12.9 and 10.5-inch model and touts an A10X Fusion chip.
Unfortunately the Bloomberg report did not mention potential pricing for the new range of tablets.
While the iPhone X introduced a futuristic design it came at a cost with the cheapest version costing £999.
The current 10.5-inch iPad Pro starts at £619 for the Wi-Fi only model.
However, the tablet can cost as much as £1,099 for 512GB of storage and cellular connectivity.
Meanwhile the 12.9-inch iPad Pro starts at £769 for the 64GB storage variant but goes up to £1,249 for customers that want 512GB of storage and a network connection.
Apple fans will not have to wait long to see if the latest report surrounding the new iPads is true - the tech giant is presumed to unveil its plans for the tablet line before the end of the year.