Possible Photos of Second-Generation iPad Mini Rear Shell Surface

[MacRumors]

Mobiles Pie points to a forum thread [Google translation] at Chinese site WeiPhone sharing a number of photos of what may be the rear shell of the second-generation iPad mini.

The photos show a shell very similar to that of the current iPad mini, although from some angles it does appear to be slightly thicker. It is difficult to tell, however, whether the apparent increased thickness is a genuine design change needed to add a Retina display and accompanying battery improvements to the device or if it is simply a bit of an optical illusion due to the fact that the edges of the shell have not yet been chamfered as they are in the final product.

The photos also show a bright blue Apple logo and "iPad" text on the rear shell, but it is possible that this is simply part of the process used to create the mirrored logo and text as seen on the current product. Alternatively, it may be an effort to add additional color to the iPad mini as Apple did with the iPod touch last September and has been rumored to be using for an upcoming lower-cost iPhone.

Perhaps notably, the forum user who posted the images had posted back in December [Google translation] sharing images of what he said was the initial machining process for the iPad mini rear shell. Their legitimacy is, however, unconfirmed.

Update 12:24 PM: Nowhereelse.fr has taken a close look [Google translation] at the two photo sets from December and this week, noting in both sets the presence of boxes labeled "Catcher", which is indeed one of Apple's primary casing suppliers. The site believes, however, that the latest batch of photos is of the current iPad mini rather than a second-generation model.

Article Link: Possible Photos of Second-Generation iPad Mini Rear Shell Surface

[AustinIllini]

Could be?

[JaySoul]

Clearly the iPhone Math.

[AQUADock]

Originally Posted by JaySoul

Clearly the iPhone Math.

It says ipad on it therefore it must be the iPhone math.

[JarScott]

Hopefully these are the first signs of a Retina iPad mini. That would turn a good product into a great product.

[LostMyiPhone]

No thanks.

I like my iPads big. Any smaller and I might as well use my phone.

Although I don't personally like it, I do see the appeal for some and certainly from a business perspective.

[cgc]

Originally Posted by JarScott

Hopefully these are the first signs of a Retina iPad mini. That would turn a good product into a great product.

Yeah, a few of us are waiting on iPad Mini w/ Retina and at least A5X CPU. That would be really sweet.

[dampfnudel]

Originally Posted by JarScott

Hopefully these are the first signs of a Retina iPad mini. That would turn a good product into a great product.

True dat.

[JaySoul]

Originally Posted by AQUADock

It says ipad on it therefore it must be the iPhone math.

It's a fake iPad case to keep the iPhone Math secret

[gotluck]

Thicker is fine if it has retina

[nepalisherpa]

Those pictures are too clear. If they are not blurry then they are not legit!

[bacaramac]

My guess is original shell from the 1st gen. They decided to do the same edge as iPhone 5 and moved away from full rounded edge.

[JackieTreehorn]

How am I going to wrap that around my wrist?

[Intarweb]

That's definitely going to make the first iPad mini obsolete.

[chrismarle]

A new iPad mini?! But I just bought mine last November and it won't work anymore when the iPad mini 2 will be available! Let's sue Apple for updating products!

[slffl]

Originally Posted by gotluck

Thicker is fine if it has retina

No it's not!!! Then it's not the iPad MINI anymore! The great thing about the mini was it's size and weight. When you add a retina display you need more CPU = bigger battery = more size and weight.

If the iPad Mini retina is heavier than the current mini, I'll be picking up the current model.

----------

Originally Posted by carl0sian

Retina dislay and faster processor may be the breaking point to me getting an iPad mini.

Which will make it larger and heavier. So why not get a full sized ipad?

[david shapiro]

Oh my! Quick guys! Sell your iPad mini! This is clear proof we have an exceptionally amazing new one coming in two or three weeks!

[RawBert]

Scratched.

[mikeorchard]

I'm guessing they're first generation pre-production if anything, not second.

[The Bulge]

Blet.

[Lancer]

The whole reason I like the Mini so much is how light and thin it is, if that is lost then you might as well get the bigger one, JMO.

[ladeer]

Originally Posted by slffl

No it's not!!! Then it's not the iPad MINI anymore! The great thing about the mini was it's size and weight. When you add a retina display you need more CPU = bigger battery = more size and weight.

If the iPad Mini retina is heavier than the current mini, I'll be picking up the current model.

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Which will make it larger and heavier. So why not get a full sized ipad?

dont worry, this is why Apple will come up with an iPad Nano, the thinner, non-retina iPad that iPad mini intended to be. It's the iPad shuffle however that will blow your mind with its screenless technology.

[3bs]

Originally Posted by gotluck

Thicker is fine if it has retina

Exactly why I didn't get the 1st gen.

----------

Originally Posted by number9

The blue logo and iPad word mark are likely just due to a physical masking material placed over those areas to keep them smooth. The rest of the shell gets blasted with a physical media to give the matte finish.

That makes sense. I wouldn't expect Apple to offer iPads like that.

[TM WAZZA]

Please arrive in March. Otherwise if it's September / November I'll be getting the 1 soon and upgrade later on

[Westside guy]

Originally Posted by gotluck

Thicker is fine if it has retina

For a device that's ultimately about portability, if size and weight is the tradeoff - my personal preference is for a thinner, lighter non-retina device. The current version still has a very nice display.

But different strokes for different folks...