iOS 7 Beta Suggests Non-Retina A6-Powered iPad Mini in Development

MacRumors · Jul 31, 2013

According to the iOS 7 beta, Apple is testing a new iPad mini model that includes an A6 chip -- the same as the current iPhone 5 -- and a non-retina display, reports 9to5Mac.

The information was sent to the site by developer Nick Frey, who found the details inside a file that lists all the iOS devices that support iOS 7. The A6 processor would be a logical upgrade for the iPad mini, advancing its main processing chip to the next generation.

According to the provided information, Apple is considering three new iPad mini models: iPad "2,8," iPad "2,9," and iPad "2,10." The respective code names for the devices are J75, J76, and J77. This points to one WiFi-only model and two cellular-compatible models (just like the current iPad minis).

[...]

As for what these new iPad minis will feature, the references state that the devices include the "s5l8950x" processor. This is the same A6 system-on-a-chip inside of Apple's iPhone 5, and this would offer significant speed improvements for the iPad mini compared to the current A5-based model.

Current iPad mini models are nicknamed '2,5'; '2,6'; and '2,7'. 9to5Mac also notes that the models don't include references to '@2x' code that relates to Retina-display supported artwork -- that code is included in the iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad, leading the site to conclude that the new mini will not include a Retina display.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has vacillated in recent months over Apple's plans for the iPad mini, most recently saying that a Retina-equipped device would launch sometime in March or April of 2014, with Apple not planning to upgrade the device at all until that time.

It's possible that this non-retina iPad mini is merely a device in testing, but while Kuo has a strong track record, it's always possible that Apple could change product release plans at the last minute.

Article Link: iOS 7 Beta Suggests Non-Retina A6-Powered iPad Mini in Development

zackkmac · Jul 31, 2013

Really hope the retina mini does come out soon. I have been waiting and waiting. :apple:

MacBookPro13" · Jul 31, 2013

I won't be buying an iPad Mini until it has a retina display.

Klae17 · Jul 31, 2013

And sadly, they will still sell more than the new Nexus 7. Sucks to be an Apple fan sometimes.

pk7 · Jul 31, 2013

Open the floodgates.

NutsNGum · Jul 31, 2013

These are going to sell like hot cacks.

Pun very much intended.

hot spare · Jul 31, 2013

Nooooo..

jmh600cbr · Jul 31, 2013

I like this because I won't hate mine as quickly as I would have if the new one was retina.

gmanist1000 · Jul 31, 2013

That's just sad if the Nexus 7 will have a beautiful display an entire year before the Mini gets one in 2014.

Baklava · Jul 31, 2013

Sad, SO SAD! The next Gen. iPad mini will be rubbish without retina!

bchery21 · Jul 31, 2013

Uh oh...

I hope this is not true.

ee13lbp · Jul 31, 2013

Can someone tell me if a retina ipad mini would have a higher ppi than the new nexus 7? That is if it has the same 2048x1536 resolution, but on the 7.9inch display..

Tankmaze · Jul 31, 2013

Release the kraken!

but seriously the way apple positioned ipad mini as underpowered than the full ipad is a bit disappointing. I know its all about marketing and product positioning, but still the ipad mini can be as productive as the full ipad.

verpeiler · Jul 31, 2013

Mh.. if that's true I'm gonna buy a Nexus 7. But I'll wait till Sept/Oct for the event just to be sure.

Che Castro · Jul 31, 2013

Oh god

pgiguere1 · Jul 31, 2013

Klae17 said:
And sadly, they will still sell more than the new Nexus 7. Sucks to be an Apple fan sometimes.

How is it sad? A tablet is more than a display. More than hardware in general in fact.

lolkthxbai · Jul 31, 2013

NutsNGum said:
These are going to sell like hot cacks.

Pun very much intended.

Wut?

The Man · Jul 31, 2013

Baklava said:
Sad, SO SAD! The next Gen. iPad mini will be rubbish without retina!

It is sad. It is all about the economy of scales, I suppose. Apple sells how many minis each quarter? Asus doesn't have to produce as many Google Nexus 7, so they can go HD. Apple could produce a retina, but then it would be in smaller numbers, and it would always be sold out.

I think it sucks for Apple too; I don't think they don't want to give us a retina one. Look at what happened to the new iMac; Apple couldn't make enough of them because of shortage of the new laminated displays.

Mike MA · Jul 31, 2013

I guess both will be available - Retina as the top model, the old one as the entry model.

ClemyNX · Jul 31, 2013

That'd be disappointing.

Reason077 · Jul 31, 2013

pgiguere1 said:
How is it sad? A tablet is more than a display. More than hardware in general in fact.

The sad part is that iOS 7 looks like crap on a non-retina display. On iOS 6, this would no doubt be a very capable device, but with iOS 7 (which will be what it ships with) not so much.

Acorn · Jul 31, 2013

guess i will be waiting until march 2014 then. im not buying a non retina mini.

NutsNGum · Jul 31, 2013

bjsterilite said:
Wut?

Luk it up.

nia820 · Jul 31, 2013

If there is no retina mini I may just pick up a full size retina ipad.

I love my mini but I really want that retina display.

commander.data · Jul 31, 2013

The iPad Mini already uses a 32nm A5. Going to a 32nm A6 would be a more power hungry SoC. You'd think they'd at least go to a 28nm A6 shrink especially if their planning to make the iPad Mini even smaller as rumoured.

iOS 7 Beta Suggests Non-Retina A6-Powered iPad Mini in Development

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