iPad Pro Delayed by Apple Due to Overwhelming iPhone 6 Demand

Apple has put its larger iPad on hold until 2015 so that it can handle the intense demand for the iPhone 6 Plus, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.

The report says the proposed 12.9-inch iPad Pro is still expected to debut at an Apple event in Cupertino on October 16, but the plan to mass produce the model in December has been delayed until next year.

Sales for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus topped 10 million in just the three days after its release on September 19, and it is said that it would prove too challenging to simultaneously meet demand for its flagship phone as well as launch and promote a new major product.

iPad sales, on the other hand, have stagnated, with Apple hoping the iPad Pro will trigger a comeback.

As both new iPhones have larger screens than previous models, and the 6 Plus has well-publicised structural difficulties, launching a newly-sized iPad is considered a risk.

On Wednesday (8 October) Apple sent out invitations to a launch event with the tagline: "It's been too long."

There are rumours that two iPads will be unveiled, the aforementioned supersized iPad Pro and an iPad Mini. An OS update for the Mac desktops will also likely feature at the event.

There are indications in iOS 8 that has a larger-screen iPad is being developed; references to a split-screen multitasking mode, and leaked images of iPad icons at three times the normal display resolution.

The iPhone 6 Plus also uses icons with similarly enhanced pixilation.

The WSJ report supports Bloomberg's claim in August that mass production of the larger iPad won't begin until the first quarter of 2015.