Sony is preparing an Android tablet to take on the upcoming “iPad Pro”

Sony is the latest company rumored to be working on a much bigger Android tablet, joining Samsung’s existing 12-inch model and preparing to compete against Apple’s upcoming 12-inch “iPad Pro” tablet. A new report from Digitimes says Sony is aiming to release its large tablet in the first half of next year, with the device supposed to head to mass production soon.

In addition to Samsung Electronics and Apple, Sony is also expected to launch a large-size tablet in the first half of 2015 and the device will enter mass production shortly, according to sources from the related supply chain. Sony’s above 12-inch tablet is expected to target mainly the high-end segment and its price may exceed US$1,000, the sources said. Although Sony has withdrawn from the PC market, it remains aggressive about the tablet product line, the sources noted. The sources believe the tablet sis expected to be manufactured by Pegatron Technology, which is also the manufacturer of Apple’s iPad and Microsoft’s Surface tablets. Pegatron declined to comment about its orders or clients.