iPad mini $199, iPad 2 $299, iPad 3 $399

[IXDoubleDXI]

I don't know that a 7" tablet is targeting a budget market. Where do you come up with that assumption?

Going off another assumption that the iPad 2 is a budget iPad, the iPad mini, potentially coming in under that pricing, could eliminate the need for the iPad 2 to stick around. Kind of how the 3GS is still around as a budget iPhone, the iPad Mini could enter the iPad line and be the equivalent (obviously with more current technology than what the 3GS has).

I think that it will be a 16GB only model priced at $299. That is only $50 more than the Nexus 7. Also, it keeps the line up from getting to mucked up.

Good point, probably makes more sense, I guess i'm just hoping for a 32gb mini, lol.

 

[ashley1496]

I'm not sure how Apple could expect to rival the Kindle Fire and the Nook tablet if they price above $249. The reason the Fire was selling was the price point...

Why pay 300 for an iPad Mini when you could get a full sized one for a little more. Makes no sense to me.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Good point, probably makes more sense, I guess i'm just hoping for a 32gb mini, lol.

I don't see Apple or any other company doing a 32GB 7" tablet.

Why pay 300 for an iPad Mini when you could get a full sized one for a little more. Makes no sense to me.

Some prefer the smaller size for better portability. I could see Apple selling a $300 16GB iPad mini. That would be only $50 more than the 16GB Nexus 7 and the 8GB Samsung Tab 2 7.0.

 

[Liquinn]

Why would Apple sell the iPad 2 next year?

 

[ThatsMeRight]

Why would Apple sell the iPad 2 next year?

I don't know why Apple would want to continue to sell a good-selling device this holiday season... I mean... why would any company want to keep selling a device that is doing well during their best season of the year?

That is extremely un-Apple like. That's like believing Apple will sell an iPhone for more than three years after its introduction.. oh, wait...

 

[tann]

I'm not sure how Apple could expect to rival the Kindle Fire and the Nook tablet if they price above $249. The reason the Fire was selling was the price point...

Why pay 300 for an iPad Mini when you could get a full sized one for a little more. Makes no sense to me.

Easy, the iPad mini is for people who were looking at the $200-$250 tablets, so they will think "only $50 bucks more for an iPad!!".

A smaller tablet is more pocketable (figure of speech, not going to literally be so...) and would definitely be more suited to reading (as it would be much lighter presumably).

 

[Lynn Belvedere]

I don't think there's any chance it'll be cheaper than $300 at its base configuration.

Are you including tax?

The mini won't touch $300. A non-retina 7" tablet for $300? Dead. On. Arrival.

 

[phr0ze]

I don't care about the speculation on price other than to say I see the ipad mini as something between the touch and ipad 3. I would like it to have 2 or 3 storage sizes like the touch.

 

[gto55]

iPad Mini BOM Estimate: $299 Price Looks Likely

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In my previous estimate of the iPad Mini's BOM, I had done a rough calculation of the device's cost structure based on the BOM of the iPad & the Kindle Fire. Now that we also have the Nexus 7's BOM, we can try and get a more accurate picture of the iPad Mini's BOM and hence, the likely price it may launch at.

Here is my latest estimate of the iPad Mini's BOM:

​

Now, let's take a look at how I arrived at these estimates.

Memory, Camera, Wireless Section & Battery - I've assumed these components to cost the same as those in the Nexus 7. The cost of memory is likely to remain the same, as the storage capacity is rumored to be the same. The low priced option is always WiFi-only, so the wireless section would be absent, just as it is in the Nexus 7.
Given Apple's penchant for quality, the camera & battery may be areas where the iPad Mini's components may cost higher, but the cost difference would probably be within 25%.

User Interface, Sensors, Combo Module, Power Management, Box Contents & Manufacturing Cost - I've assumed these components to cost the same as they do in the iPad 2, as the iPad Mini is expected to have very similar specs. Based on previous iPad 2 BOM estimates, these components (& the manufacturing cost) do not seem to be particularly sensitive to price drops.

Processor - The iPad Mini will most likely use the same A5 processor found in the iPad 2 and the iPhone 4S. Based on the drop in the processor's price between the launch of the iPhone 4S and the $399 iPad 2, it should cost roughly $13.50 in Q4 2012.

Display & Touchscreen - Here's where it gets interesting. The Kai design of the Tegra 3 processor, used in the Nexus 7, allowed Asus/Google to use cheaper display & touchscreen components in the device, which more than compensated for the higher cost of the processor. The iPad Mini does not have this luxury, so the display & touchscreen used here could be quite a bit more expensive.

The cost of a display primarily depends on two factors, the size of the device and pixel density. The iPad Mini has a smaller display than the iPad 2, but the same screen resolution, which implies a pixel density that is nearly 25% higher. I've attempted to measure the cost impact of the screen area and pixel density by measuring the cost/sq. inch per PPI for the displays of the new iPad, iPad 2 and iPhone 4S which range from $0.007-$0.013 respectively. The cost parameter for the iPad 2 falls exactly in the mean of this range, i.e. $0.010, so this is probably a good estimate for the iPad Mini. Based on this, the display cost of the iPad Mini comes out to about $48.54.

The cost of the touchscreen, however, seems to be dependent on the diagonal screen size of the device. Based on the iPad Mini's 7.85" screen (& cost estimates of the iPad & iPhone 4S), the cost of the touchscreen should be about $32.

Mechanical / Electro-Mechanical / Other - I've calculated the cost of these components, based on the respective costs for the iPad 2 scaled down to the area of the iPad Mini. However, apart from the enclosure, there may be components here that do not depend on the size/area of the device. Therefore, the total cost of these components is likely to be a bit higher than my estimate. I expect these components to show the highest variation when the actual cost estimate comes out.

If the iPad Mini comes in the rumored thinner form, as expected, it could bump up the cost of a few major components (the display for example). Based on this, I expect my BOM estimate to be within a 10-15% range of the iPad Mini's final BOM. Based on this range of cost estimates, let's take a look at the gross margins at each rumored price:

​

Based on the estimates above, Apple's gross margin for the iPad Mini would be between 30%-37% at a $299 price point and 16%-24% at a $249 price point. As I've stated before, any gross margin below 30% would be extremely unpalatable to Apple's shareholders, making $299 the only reasonable price.

http://www.tech-thoughts.net/2012/08/ipad-mini-bom-299-price.html#.UD0pyFTw9ha

299$ too expensive compared to the nexus 7 or kindle fire 2

 

[applefanDrew]

Hi everybody,

Just sharing some thoughts here about the rumoured iPad mini. iMore.com, a site who has been very reliable in the past 12 months or so regarding rumours, believes the iPad mini will cost $199 to $249.

Basically, for that price you get an iPad that's almost identical to the iPad 3 (assuming it gets a retina display) that costs $499 or an iPad 2 (if it doesn't get a retina display) that costs $399.

I think that if they are going to sell an iPad mini for $199, than the gap in price is too big between the iPad mini and the 9.7" $499 iPad. You'll basically get this:

- $199, iPad mini
- $399, iPad 2
- $499, iPad (2012)

So I was wondering: is it possible that Apple will lower the price?

- $199, iPad mini
- $299, iPad 2
- $399, iPad (2012)

Basically, what they could do is release an iPad mini with identical specs to the iPad 2. They'll tell you: here's our 7.85" iPad, if you want a bigger display you'll have to pay an extra $100. If you want the latest and greatest tech (like the retina display), you'll again have to pay another $100.

Basically, I see them doing this:
- $199, iPad mini (7.85") last year's iPad 2 specs
- $299, iPad 2 (9.7") equal specs to iPad mini, only a bigger screen
- $399, iPad 3 (9.7") newest specs

And than next year:

$199, iPad mini (7.85") last year's iPad 3 specs
$299, iPad 3 (9.7") equal specs to iPad mini, only a bigger screen
$399, iPad 4 (9.7") newest specs

But is this too agressively priced?
I believe Apple really wants to shut down any competitors in the tablet market and thus I believe they'll price the iPad mini at $199 to $249. However, I also find it hard to believe that they'll lower the retina display iPad to $399 (and next year even to $299).

So? What do you think? VOTE!

iPad mini $199
iPad mini more storage $299
iPad 2 $399
iPad $499

 

[ChristianVirtual]

iPad mini $249/$299/$349/$399 for 8/16/32/64 GB; maybe without 8GB, then we start at $299.

Sorry for the iPad2; will be discontinued because the new dock connector don't fit and they will not change the old design.

New iPad remain unchanged except the dock and rumored change in battery.
[/wild guess];

two week and we know more.

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[url=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ppBFWVOAm_w/UDHICSyXyUI/AAAAAAAAFZc/Xh6u3r6xpig/s400/iPad+Mini+Mock-Up.jpg]Image[/URL]​

Like the rendered image; home button too small but the bezel nice slim.

 

[girb]

Apple does not price @49 points. Only 99

So my guess is 299, about half of the larger brother.

What about the iPod classic selling at $249 right now? Or are you only talking about the iPad specifically?

 

[thewitt]

iPad 2 will be dropped.

iPad mini is not intended to compete on price, only on features. What another company is selling their tablet for is not going to impact the price.

No 8g model.

16g, 32g 64g wifi only and wifi + LTE/3G

No way they will come in below $299 on the entry level model, and $349 is more likely.

 

[MattInOz]

I'm thinking
iPad Nano (Kiosk)
$199 - 7.9" 4Gb no cameras only available to those register to the "Volume Purchase for Business"

$249 + 7.9" General Retail models.

iPad
$399 new 9.7" iPad (Kiosk) model - 4Gb no cameras, (edit:again volume sales only)

no more iPad 2 for sale.
Current retail models get new dock connector.

 

[tann]

Apple does not price @49 points. Only 99

So my guess is 299, about half of the larger brother.

While at first I just agreed I now notice that ALL of the iPhone 4S unlocked versions are priced at the $49 mark!!

 

[ActionableMango]

You guys with the lowest prices are insane. For crying out loud, the iPod Touch is $199 to $399.

 

[boomhower]

My guess is $299 for the Mini and the regular iPad stays at $499. The iPad 2 goes EOL mainly because of the connector. Next year I can see the iPad 3 going to the $399 price. A $249 8GB model wouldn't shock but certainly would surprise me. Apple has never chased the lowest price and I don't expect them to start now. As long as it's a Retina display it will sell at $299.

 

[Purant]

iPad 2 will be dropped.

iPad mini is not intended to compete on price, only on features. What another company is selling their tablet for is not going to impact the price.

No 8g model.

16g, 32g 64g wifi only and wifi + LTE/3G

No way they will come in below $299 on the entry level model, and $349 is more likely.

And what would those features be? Will it even have retina? Because if not, what you're describing is the most overpriced piece of hardware ever.

 

[Nychot]

There will be no ipad mini. Apple will drop the current ipod touch (which basically IS an ipad mini) and bump it up in size and call it an ipad air.

 

[Purant]

There will be no ipad mini. Apple will drop the current ipod touch (which basically IS an ipad mini) and bump it up in size and call it an ipad air.

The question is, it going to be a full fledged iPad spec wise (iPad3 specs and retina?) with a high price, or is it going to be "a cheap ipad for the masses" (ipad2 specs or lower, not retina)?

I don't see the second option being appealing if it's not competitive price-wise with the competition. I wouldn't buy it if it was more than 250$ and even that is stretching it. It would be hard to justify the extra money compared to the nexus 7 to get something less portable and with a worse screen.

 

[Bilalo]

The reason apple made it 7"or so on is to make it retina, they said its the lowest possible screen size for retina display and Id say itll be around $200 cheaper than Ipad

 

[Purant]

The reason apple made it 7"or so on is to make it retina, they said its the lowest possible screen size for retina display and Id say itll be around $200 cheaper than Ipad

Iphones have retina displays and they are much smaller than that...

I'm guessing you mean the smallest screen size while keeping the iPad 3's resolution? That makes more sense.

 

[thewitt]

You guys keep saying Apple will compete on price, but name one product line where price is the priority in the history of the company...

 

[jrswizzle]

16GB iPad mini WiFi = $299
16GB iPad mini WiFi + 4G (likely not LTE) = $429

I don't think they do any more than that. If you look at Apple's other product lines (the MBPs and MBAs), they are working to consolidate. I think the iPad 2 is phased out and you have the budget iPad mini or the pro iPad Retina.

I think what gets lost on a tech rumor blog is the masses who would buy an iPad mini aren't buying it for the retina display or CPU clock speed. They are buying because its affordable and its an iPad (i.e. ecosystem, usability, simplicity).

 

[tigres]

What about the iPod classic selling at $249 right now? Or are you only talking about the iPad specifically?

iPod classic is in it's own category. The touch, iPad, iPhone are all in the "99" realm.
Shuffle, ipod classic, and the like have had different price points all along. Should have clarified my post, my bad.

While at first I just agreed I now notice that ALL of the iPhone 4S unlocked versions are priced at the $49 mark!!

Good point, but those are Unlocked, expensive, and not really a "prime-time" item. Same result holds true for the refurbished store.

I am talking strictly retail iPads, iPhones etc. Apple likes 199, 299, 399, 499,.....