Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will supply chips for the 2017 series of iPad that will come in three models, a report by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) quoted a KGI Securities analyst as saying.

Of the three iPad models slated for launch in 2017, a 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2 will both feature Apple's A10X chips that will be built using TSMC's 10nm process technology, while a low-priced 9.7-inch iPad will come with the A9X chips that will also be supplied exclusively by the Taiwan-based foundry, the analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo Kuo, was cited as saying.

Kuo also indicated that it is unlikely Apple will introduce new iPad products in the second half of 2016. Therefore, Kuo has revised down its iPad shipment estimate for 2016 to 35-40 million units from 45-50 million, according to the report.

In addition, Kuo predicted the 2018 series will start utilizing AMOLED panels as part of the big changes Apple will make for iPads, the report noted.