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Apple Will Reportedly Launch iPad Mini 5 and Entry-Level 10-inch iPad Next Year
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Too little too late. Many of us that wanted a new Mini may have gone a different direction.
Totally. If Apple ever releases an ipad mini with slimmer bezels & face ID, flat edges & apple pencil 2 support i will buy one in a heartbeat.
Apple is preparing to launch a new fifth-generation iPad mini in the first half of 2019, according to sources in the Apple supply chain cited by the China Times, followed by a new entry-level iPad in two versions.
The report, first spotted by Japanese blog Mac Otakara, claims that Apple is preparing to launch a low-priced so-called iPad mini 5 in the first half of next year in an attempt to halt a general decline in iPad sales, with mass production expected to start by the end of December.
Apple hasn't updated its smallest iPad since September 2015, but the device did receive a price cut in March 2017, with a 128GB capacity model costing $399.
Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claimed in October that Apple is working on a new version of the iPad mini with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost display panel, with the device being launched in 2018 or early next year.
Notably, Kuo's prediction came two months after DigiTimes said it did not believe Apple plans to introduce an updated iPad mini, and in fact has "no further plan" for the smaller tablet.
As for Apple's entry-level iPad, today's report claims that next year Apple will replace its sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad with a similarly priced model that features a 10-inch display within a narrower frame.
Following strong sales of the 2017 model, Apple is said to be launching two low-priced versions of the iPad in 2019 to boost sales growth. A more exact timeframe for launch was not given beyond the "second half" of 2019. Apple's 9.7-inch iPad was last updated in March 2018 and in the same month the year before that.
Apple's 9.7-inch iPad is thicker, heavier, and has fewer features than iPad Pro models, but it does support Apple Pencil and is also Apple's most affordable tablet, starting at $329.
Today's report goes on to say Apple plans to reduce production costs of the two iPads by reducing the amount to LED procurement in Japan and switching to Korean-made LED displays.
Article Link: Apple Will Reportedly Launch iPad mini 5 and Entry-Level 10-inch iPad Next Year
I sooo want a new mini!!! More power and MUST have Pencil support FOR THE NEW ONE!! I loved my mini 2 and miss it so much .
I'll believe it when I see it, but I'm getting tired of Apple's strategy of selling the current version with a 4-generation-old-chip for top dollar.
I'll be buying two minis the day they announce them. They are the only model that fits well on the yoke of a small airplane. I still use my two mini 4 models every time I fly.
New iPad mini would be definitely useful. There are tons of pilots using iPad mini.
Do you really not think that the current $229 price tag on the 32 GB 2018 6th generation Ipad is not a good value? Gosh if that's not a good value, there must be nothing on the face of the planet earth that you actually consider a good value.
And considering how cheaply the 2018 iPad is priced, I don't see how they could possibly undercut that price with a mini ipad 5. I find it hard to believe they would price the mini ipad 5 under $300... And that it could possibly be a better value than the deals on the 2018 6th generation iPad right now.
The iPad has 27-30% market share, and it sells twice as its nearest competitor, Samsung. Where do you get your numbers?
What does "lower cost display" even mean? Will it be worse than the mini 4 display or does that just mean they can produce the display at a lower cost? If they release the mini 5 with a lower quality display I will really be confused. The mini 4 processor seems capable of handling pretty much anything I throw at it, so I will be hard pressed to find a reason to upgrade to a lower quality display. Oh well, I suppose we will find out next year. I'm probably in the minority, but give me a mini 5 with a nicer screen/smaller bezels/true tone etc, give me pencil support and of course upgraded internals and I'm more than happy to pay MORE than the mini 4.
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There's not much other direction these days. Samsung makes a decent tablet, but then you have to deal with Android which sucks on a tablet even with Samsung's UI improvements. But at least you get stylus support. Windows on smaller tablets is pretty much dead. Don't really know of any other tablet in this small form factor that stands out.
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There's not much other direction these days. Samsung makes a decent tablet, but then you have to deal with Android which sucks on a tablet even with Samsung's UI improvements. But at least you get stylus support. Windows on smaller tablets is pretty much dead. Don't really know of any other tablet in this small form factor that stands out.
Up for next year, Apple has a little twist to break the monotony of typical annual release events.
Quite contrarily, the Surface Go is meant to be a smaller form factor given how people are shifting to larger screens. I know it’s not a 7.9” display and it competes with the regular iPad. However, the Go is meant to be a really portable form factor. It’s extremely light and awesome to use so far. I take it all the time when I travel.
Its about time with the iPad Mini 5. The 4 I had almost 3 years ago was stellar and was the perfect size for a truly everywhere tablet.
It'd be nice to see the same edge to edge, Apple Pencil, and Face ID love from the current Pro.
It'd be nice to see the same edge to edge, Apple Pencil, and Face ID love from the current Pro.
nope . face id still is pricy and apple has to distinquish the pros from the lame inferior reg ipads with touch id .
For a new mini, I'm fine with: capacitive home button, aluminum or glass back, lightning port, no 3D touch, and LCD or LED display.
I can forgive it on the educational model where a less expensive screen replacement would make a difference.
Apple doesn't understand the iPad mini's target market.. so they will miss the mark.
Maybe Apple could fix up the storage prices too
iPad 9.7"
32GB $469 AUD very anemic
128GB $599 AUD
iPad Mini
128 $579
You would have thought that with dropping sales, Apple would put more storage in the base device.
And why sell the mini at almost the same price as the 9.7"
iPad 9.7"
32GB $469 AUD very anemic
128GB $599 AUD
iPad Mini
128 $579
You would have thought that with dropping sales, Apple would put more storage in the base device.
And why sell the mini at almost the same price as the 9.7"