A7X-Based iPad and iPad Mini Expected to Launch in 4Q 2013, Lower-Cost A6 iPad Mini to Follow in 2014

[Nova Sensei]

Arn = Ming-Chi Kuo?

 

[topper24hours]

But this news article is about a cheaper ipad mini model with the same screen size. I'm not against reasonable variations in screen sizes (like iPad and iPad mini), althought I'm against unreasonable lineup of iPad, iPad mini, iPad maxi, iPad maxi+ and whatever. And I'm strongly against such moves as this article predicts - we'll get two iPad mini models, one cheaper, one more expensive, and screen size is the same. We already (well, almost) got 2 iPhone models 5S and 5C, and who knows how it turns out. And having 2 models and starting messing with screen diagonal (4 inch, 5 inch, 6 inch) is dangerous, since its confusing to the consumer.

Well, if it follows suit to iPhone 5 S/C, I don't think there will be an issue.
Example: iPad mini Color - $249, non retina, plastic housing. iPad mini- $329, retina, metal housing.

I think people will get REAL quick which are the cheap & which are the premium models.

 

[Piggie]

Well, if it follows suit to iPhone 5 S/C, I don't think there will be an issue.
Example: iPad mini Color - $249, non retina, plastic housing. iPad mini- $329, retina, metal housing.

I think people will get REAL quick which are the cheap & which are the premium models.

There needs to be more difference that that.

Retina on the mini, not "tech spec" people will be more than happy with.
Plastic case many people won't be bothered, in fact if the plastic came in different colours then plastic may be the preferred model choice.

Fashion/Style has often/almost always won out over actual material quality

 

[Rogifan]

To be fair, Apple likely is considering a variety of products and is testing them. Apple likely responds to market pressure. For instance, Google just released a Retina quality Mini class tablet for less money. Apple wants to stay competitive.

Sorry but I don't believe Apple had NO plans to release a retina mini this year but once they saw the new Nexus 7 they did a 180. That theory would assume Apple had a retina mini that met all their criteria (thickness, weight, battery life, screen yields, etc.) but they were planning to hold it back on purpose for some reason. Because if they didn't have all that solved its highly unlikely they could solve for it in a month or two and have enough units ready by launch date.

 

[unplugme71]

Sounds like you are the one making things complicated. Currently there is a just a Mini, none of those other models exist. Apple's product lineup is still quite simplified.

and if/when they do?

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You mean iPod touch, iPod Classic, iPod nano, iPod shuffle.... What was simple about that?

It's fine to have a variant, but when you make an iPod touch and iPod Touch Retina, and iPod Touch 4G/LTE then it gets way out of hand. That was my point.

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Glad some of those are fictitious.

and hopefully will remain

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Ya, I suppose you are right...there was never this many options...well, only if we forget about the iPod nano, the iPod photo, the iPod video, the iPod shuffle, iPod touch, MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, newer iPhone, or previous generations for less money...I forgot how simple Apple used to be. Feel free to go back to HP and Dell! They do have better options...like that dell computer that is made of plastic running windows 8! It is so cool how the screen detaches to become a tablet! I think disposable laptops are the way of the future anyway. And out of curiosity how good are Dell and HP phones? If options are what you want to stay away from than you should stick to them!

your attempt at sarcasm actually made you sound like a total tool the way you referenced HP and Dell.

 

[James717]

so we're gonna get a regular issue and a cheaper version on all the products?

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How is it that Ming-Chi Kuo has a job? I could do his job. Anyone with any previous knowledge of Apple could do his job. He's not very reliable...

OK dude,
the guy is only working in securities and funds.

If u could do his job, then do yours first. Seriously, Kuo's an awesomely smart fellow.

 

[topper24hours]

There needs to be more difference that that.

Retina on the mini, not "tech spec" people will be more than happy with.
Plastic case many people won't be bothered, in fact if the plastic came in different colours then plastic may be the preferred model choice.

Fashion/Style has often/almost always won out over actual material quality

I agree that they are making a drastic choice... to make lower profits off higher volumes, instead of the higher profit over lower volume they've held dear so long.. I think that hey understand that at this point an equal growth opportunity is in the bottom up. Cheap iPhones & iPads are our colorful future.. I'm not mad!!

 

[nviz22]

I just got a warranty replacement for the iPad 4, so that would mean the device is new since I haven't removed the wrapper yet? Can I still fetch $450 or so if I try to sell my iPad with either my Bluetooth Keyboard case or the iPad Smart Case (Red)? I have the 16 GB Wifi White Model. I think I want the Mini 2 since it could have a retina display. What about the iPad 5 itself? Worth upgrading to? I went from the Mini to the 4 since the Mini didn't have a great looking screen. I did like the iSight Camera with it and the latest of iOS. Could the iPad Mini have a 1080p screen if it doesn't have a Retina Display?

 

[asthamapheo]

now i know where to spend the money i've been saving.
ipad 5 will surely be the best tablet of the year.

 

[bnnentertainmen]

Lol???

never mind

 

[Mactendo]

Well, if it follows suit to iPhone 5 S/C, I don't think there will be an issue.
Example: iPad mini Color - $249, non retina, plastic housing. iPad mini- $329, retina, metal housing.

I think people will get REAL quick which are the cheap & which are the premium models.

It may follow this pattern, but this pattern is bad. The history has proven that. This is the dilution of the brand. And no one knows yet what will happen when iPhone 5C is released. How it will affect iPhone 5S, will customers switch to C or will they still aim for S model. Will the total sales of both models rise or stay on the same level.

Plus there're already two iPad models - mini and standard, adding a third or even forth one is not a good idea.

 

[Battlefield Fan]

so we're gonna get a regular issue and a cheaper version on all the products?

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OK dude,
the guy is only working in securities and funds.

If u could do his job, then do yours first. Seriously, Kuo's an awesomely smart fellow.

Coming from Kuo directly. BAHAHAHAHA!

 

[Zerilos]

It may follow this pattern, but this pattern is bad. The history has proven that. This is the dilution of the brand. And no one knows yet what will happen when iPhone 5C is released. How it will affect iPhone 5S, will customers switch to C or will they still aim for S model. Will the total sales of both models rise or stay on the same level.

Plus there're already two iPad models - mini and standard, adding a third or even forth one is not a good idea.

Yeah, it's a pattern doomed to failure. Clearly this strategy didn't work for Samsung (they can barely sell 330 million smartphones a year), and it won't work for Apple.

 

[Carmenia83]

I hope Apple doesn't rush a retina display for the Mini. If it's not ready, it's not ready. They made some serious compromises on the iPad 3. It was thicker, heaver, hotter, and only in production for 6 months. Look how long its taken them to slim down the full size retina iPad. I sold my 3 and picked up a Mini and I love it. The lack of the Retina display is not really that noticeable to me at its current resolution. Not enough that I would sacrifice battery life and the thin, light form factor anyway.

 

[nviz22]

I hope Apple doesn't rush a retina display for the Mini. If it's not ready, it's not ready. They made some serious compromises on the iPad 3. It was thicker, heaver, hotter, and only in production for 6 months. Look how long its taken them to slim down the full size retina iPad. I sold my 3 and picked up a Mini and I love it. The lack of the Retina display is not really that noticeable to me at its current resolution. Not enough that I would sacrifice battery life and the thin, light form factor anyway.

What do you propose then? Most of the people want Retinas, the A5X, A6, and A6X have Retina display supporting capabilities. The iPad Mini can be beefed up a tad bit to support a display. It's not going from a small weight to a full sized laptop in lbs. Apple is not rushing anything. When was the last time they had a recall because of a processor and screen incompatibility?

 

[Mactendo]

Yeah, it's a pattern doomed to failure. Clearly this strategy didn't work for Samsung (they can barely sell 330 million smartphones a year), and it won't work for Apple.

Samsung is not a premium brand unlike Apple.

 

[Tom2893]

A7X? I love that band.

 

[Carmenia83]

What do you propose then? Most of the people want Retinas, the A5X, A6, and A6X have Retina display supporting capabilities. The iPad Mini can be beefed up a tad bit to support a display. It's not going from a small weight to a full sized laptop in lbs. Apple is not rushing anything. When was the last time they had a recall because of a processor and screen incompatibility?

My point exactly. They f@cked up the iPad 3 and there was no recall. They just swept it under the rug a few months later when the iPad 4 came out with the processor the 3 should've had in the first place. It was a stopgap model. They needed something new for the spring but the tech they needed wasn't there yet.

 

[xofruitcake]

My point exactly. They f@cked up the iPad 3 and there was no recall. They just swept it under the rug a few months later when the iPad 4 came out with the processor the 3 should've had in the first place. It was a stopgap model. They needed something new for the spring but the tech they needed wasn't there yet.

You guys are trying to rewrite history. At the time Ipad 3 was announced, users are lining up to buy it. It has the best technology at the time. I remembered it because make tons of money trading Apple stock during that time and I still have my Ipad 3 now. The high resolution retina display on Ipad 3 was a breakthrough at the time while none of the other tablet has. And it was the time that Ipad has over 60% market share.. Ipad 4 come along in such a short time because the rest of the industry catch up with Ipad 3.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPad_(3rd_generation)

The third generation iPad received many positive reviews, receiving praise for its Retina display, camera, processor and LTE capabilities.[10][11][13] According to Walt Mossberg of All Things Digital, the new model "has the most spectacular display...seen in a mobile device" and holds the crown as "the best tablet on the planet."[58] Jonathan Spira, writing in Frequent Business Traveler, claimed that it "seems to make everything sharper and clearer".[12]

Pre-orders were so high for the third generation iPad that later orders were quoted shipping times of "two to three weeks" after the order was placed.[95][96] Apple said that "customer response to the new iPad has been off the charts and the quantity available for pre-order has been purchased".[29] Despite the delayed shipping, many users chose to purchase the iPad online instead of waiting in line at the Apple Store.[97] Approximately 750 people waited outside the Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York City for the product's release.[98] According to an Apple press release, three million units were sold in the first three days.[1][16] The iPad was purchased mainly by a younger, male demographic. Most of the buyers were either "die-hard Apple fans" or had previously purchased an iPad.[99] Brad Ditzell, manager of MacTown, an Apple retailer in Dayton, Ohio, claimed that the demand for the tablet was "chaotic" and claimed that its launch was "drastically more significant than the iPad 2 launch."[6]

A lot of Apple's struggle now is because of the suppliers. Samsung, good or bad, has the best technology on the LCD screen and fab for processor. When Apple try to get out of using Samsung in the last 2 years, they has to use a lot of the second tiers suppliers on the LCD (except LG which is a very good supplier. but LG cannot provide all the LCD they need) and they need to build up their manufacturing capability. Just google the problem Apple has with the IPad mini LCD with GF2 yield problem in 4Q12. Long term, it is the right strategy for Apple. Have a dominated suppliers mean that they can suck out all your profit and/or giving their own device top priority and slowly kill of Apple's device. So Apple has to pay the price now to grow their supplier chain so that there are more competing component techonology and price point for future devices.

 

[nviz22]

My point exactly. They f@cked up the iPad 3 and there was no recall. They just swept it under the rug a few months later when the iPad 4 came out with the processor the 3 should've had in the first place. It was a stopgap model. They needed something new for the spring but the tech they needed wasn't there yet.

There wasn't an issue with the iPad 3 though. Maybe your model was defective? My cousin has one and it was not a problem for him. I had the iPad Mini and have the 4 now, so I wouldn't know what's like to have the iPad 3.

 

[sarakn]

The minute I read "KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo," this article went from news to comedy.

 

[dwward]

The iPad upgrade I've been waiting for?

I still love my iPad2. I really do. The screen resolution is very good for my purposes and I refused to buy any Apple product that is thicker or heavier than its predecessor. I made that promise to Steve before he passed.

I declared to skeptical friends (I get a new iPhone every year, even when I insist that I won't buy the next "S") that I would not upgrade my iPad2 until the new iPad was thinner, lighter and with at least no loss in battery life. And I haven't.

But it looks like this one might be it.

One question: Will the iPad5 have Touch ID? I would be pissed to buy the 5 sans the Touch ID only to have it added in short order ala iPad4 coming out 221 days after iPad3.

 

[fteoath64]

I doubt Apple will offer a lower-cost iPad mini with an A6 processor. I would expect them to offer a retina iPad mini with the A6X processor and drop the price of the current iPad mini. Just as they did with the iPad 2.

Agreed!. Apple has felt the cannibalization of the mini from the full-sized iPad. They do not seem to like it!. So to counter such a move and give higher-end Mini users, they ought to slot in a Mini Retina and price it like the full-size iPad!. It in effect would solve their cannibalization issue with iPad 4/5 while gainning in the upgrade path of the older iPads. competition wise, it would set a new benchmark for the 7inch/8inch tablet high-end. No, Apple do NOT play in the low end. Never will.

Note: But APPLE needs to throw in the 5S camera in the new mini. You can keep the stupid TouchID sensor.

 

[johnpq]

I predict a lower price greyscale mini with optional clock, calendar, and maps. It will run on 4-AAA batteries (not included) and be available in Alabama and Mississippi, only.

Was this necessary? Have you nothing better to do than to promote regional stereotypes?

 

[nia820]

The iPad mini based on the A6 and no retina display makes no sense.

Apple is getting very top heavy in it's product line and I think it's a very bad sign. Apparently someone at Apple thinks that if you throw a bunch of products at people, you will make more sales. Yeah, possibly, or you will turn them off because they can't make up their minds... Oh, and there is the inevitable 'purchase regret' that will burn at some people because they didn't spend the extra $50.00 for the 'x' model...

Variety is never a bad thing. Especially in apple's case. Apple makes quality products but i wish they would offer more options with their products. people moaned about apple releasing the mini saying that the 10 inch was fine and no one would buy a mini. here we are a year later and despite the mini not having retina it sold and is still selling pretty well.