New iPad Shows Up in App Analytics Running A6-Based Chip

[Shanpdx]

I don't see then because then what would the 10" be priced at, 599? No. If they come out with a 7.85 retina iPad 3 with A6, it would be 449 or 399. Apple hasn't change the price of the wifi 16gb top of the line iPad since inception.

honestly, if the 7" iPad Mini has retina display 2056x1536 - why would they price it lower than the $499? (let us say it has same specs as the bigger cousin 9.7"?)

there might do two versions of the iPad mini (like current iPod touch)

lower priced iPad mini @ 1024x768 - $299
and higher priced iPad Mini @ 2056x1536 - $499 (yes same price as 9.7", if it has the same internal there is no reason for it to have $399 price tag).

Personally, I want to see at least the FaceTime HD camera, everything else is okay .

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OK, How about this! 2 New iPad Minis are coming.

1. iPad Miini (1024x768 + A5) - Start at 16GB Wifi $300

2. iPad Mini Retina [iPad Mini HD] (2048x1536 + A6) - Start at 16GB Wifi $400

Totally 12 models !! The iPad Mini's "Ultimate Wet Dream".

I like your idea; they did it to iPod touch (keep the older and newer model). but it would be price same as the 9.7" $499.

 

[ecbpro]

Yep

My iPad 3 will be sad if this comes true.

This is why it is called "new iPad" instead of iPad 3, so that from now on they can do "silent" upgrades much more frequently. Since then there is no version number to be tracked.

 

[wizard]

IPad 3 does have performance issues.

So such an update could go a long ways to fixing that. Imagine picking up an iPad3s that is almost twice as fast. That is nothing to sneeze at.

My 10" iPad 3 is still good enough for me. I don't really see much Apple can do with it besides a processor update.

Actually there is much that could be done. There is nothing in this world that can't be improved. For example cut the power usage of the screen.

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This is irrational think! The people in the market for the iPad Mini are not the same people looking to buy a full sized iPad.

It really boggles the mind that people don't grasp this rather simple concept. They see the current iPad as the one true path to a tablet and can't open their minds to the idea that people besides themselves have different needs and desires.

There is a huge problem with this line of reasoning. You said it yourself: the Mini. If the Mini does come out later this month, and all products keep following a yearly cycle, then the Mini will always be newer than the "normal" sized iPad. This simply will not do. This is why I believe they will be updating both, although after this they will resume their yearly release pattern.

 

[wizard]

Whilst true, until it materialises and proves otherwise I refuse to believe it'll be anything other than a cheaper, smaller, slightly gimped, lower specced iPad. As such, it matters not that it's newer as it'd be plain to see on price and display that newer =! better in this case.

It matters not because it is a device for a different market. Just like the iPhone serves a different market than iPad.

Also, Apple like to spread their big releases to milk every last drop of marketing and media coverage, not to mention profit/growth, throughout the year. All new iPads in this quarter, assuming they don't follow it up with a quick successor in March/April would mean a looong expanse of time till late next year with no media frenzy. Similarly, why share media time with the new iPhone for their flagship tablet line?

Media time could be taken up buy the new Mac Pro expected next year. If it is the ground breaking machine suspected Apple might want to turn the crank on the media machine for awhile promoting the new Pro.

Granted, I suppose it'd not be too much of a stretch to see a lightning equipped iPad sooner, ala that slightly tweaked iPad2 that appeared, but with an all new processor? Hmm, I'm hugely skeptical.

I would tend to agree other than this possibility, Apple wants to move the iPad updates to late fall to take advantage of Christmas and other holiday buying. Lets face it updating the iPad in the March time frame doesn't lead to stimulating sales. Of course the depressed sales of that time frame are likely an advantage as ramp up is easier.

Make no mistake here introducing new iPads in late October or early November time frames means very strained production for one of Apples hottest selling seasons. They will basically have to ramp new device launches to pre holiday shopping levels very quickly or risk disappointed customers.

All of this combined makes me wonder why they resist launching all iOS devices at the same big event with iPhone.

Point is, we've heard these cycle breaking rumours for years now, and they've rarely (never? I can only thing of longer cycles eg 4S) been even remotely accurate. Yes, I appreciate the irony of me saying this on MacRumors, I'm not criticising the discussion of such things, but I'm genuinely surprised a certain contingent fall for it every single time.

This is baloney. Seriously if this was true then where is the new iMac, Mini or Pro? Apple has screwed up, stretched out or otherwise manipulated release dates for years now. They can change up introductions at will.

 

[wizard]

I can understand where you're coming from. The current iPad, with the exception of the great display, has never felt "right". The A5X, two lamps instead of one, increased heat, increased battery-charging times, continued bulk all contributed to that feeling.

Give me a break here. IPad 3 is a massive leap forward compared to the previous devices. As to charging time that is due to the larger battery and should be no surprise at all to anybody with half a brain.

Now, let's say Apple wanted to move their iPad releases to the Fall so they can release something new in the spring and make those shopping for the holidays a little more confident about their iPad purchase now that they know their holiday gift won't be replaced 3 months later. Let's also say they wanted to change the connector, switch to a IGZO display, go back to one lamp, reduce battery-charging times, reduce the heat, slim it down, etc. Would they wait until next October (no way), wait until April-June (after they released something else) or release it this month, in time for the holidays?

Releasing this month or into November is a big gamble. Mostly because they need complete confidence in their ability to ramp production for the high volume Christmas season.

The only thing I wonder about is why we don't have any photos of the revised late 2012 edition iPad? That's where my doubts come into the picture about a revised iPad being released this month. The iPad Mini on the other hand is so close I can smell it.

For one thing I would expect zero outside changes to a revised iPad beyond the new dock connector. Personally I really don't know what to think here. I suspect Apple wants to convert to the new connector quickly but that seems to be a rather minor reason to bump the iPad. Thus the idea of a more involved update.

 

[wizard]

I think, that is the real iPad 3 which has been planned but not released due to the limit of time to prepare.
1. A6 with improved graphic :: even CPU performance of A6 is double of A5X but graphic performance is similar.

That would be nice.

2. Thinner and low power display

Maybe maybe not. The power draw of the display is significant and does need to be addressed, I'm just not sure which way Apple will go here.

3. Thinner by display and batter
4. New dock connector

A big motivator for sure.

5. Real LTE support

We have real LTE right now. In fact AT&T is working on support locally right now. It is very nice when you get a connection.

6. Nano SIMCARD
:

I would be surprised to find out that Apple has another A6 variant for tablets themselves in the works. This would be a more powerful A6 that likely bumps clock rate significantly. Less possible AI an A6x that has more cores.

 

[Riemann Zeta]

The A5X chip used in the iPad 3 was clearly a stopgap hack, rushed out because the A6 design was not scaled up to production yet. The fact that the design uses a 45nm fab is evidence of this--at 45nm, the A5X is a power hog! The A6 at 32 nm will not only be a lot faster, but allow the iPad to charge when turned on again.

 

[Rocketman]

So you think it's a bad time to buy a new iPad retina?

The iPad3 will get a quiet update about the time the iPad Mini is released. Watch rumor sites for field reports, wait a month to make sure the supply chain is cleared out, then buy one.

 

[wizard]

There is nothing to indicate that the screen is a bottleneck.

In fact if the rumors about overtime and holiday work are true then Foxconn is obviously getting all the parts they need to run those plants.

Considering the bottleneck in iphone production is the screen, this can mean excess a6 chips, which would be a natural fit in the ipad mini/refreshed ipad3.

I am liking the blocky shape of the ipad mini (quite reminiscent of the 1st gen iPad). What are the chances this will be the new form factor for the ipad4?

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The A5X chip used in the iPad 3 was clearly a stopgap hack, rushed out because the A6 design was not scaled up to production yet. The fact that the design uses a 45nm fab is evidence of this--at 45nm, the A5X is a power hog! The A6 at 32 nm will not only be a lot faster, but allow the iPad to charge when turned on again.

The A5x really isn't that bad. Certainly a process shrink would do wonders for the A5x but overall it would not be the big hit on iPad 3 power draw that many imagine. Update all the major loads in the iPad and you will have accomplished something.

This is where I think the real goal is, that is to get rid of the current screen and LTE chip. A6 comes along because it is a no brainer update.

 

[Shanpdx]

Battery life

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6073/the-google-nexus-7-review/7

one other aspects of the A5 vs A6 is the battery life.

Look at the battery life performance of iPad 2,4 A5 @ 32nm, you can play games for almost 8 hours and videos for 15 hours.

I am not sure about A6 - from iPhone 5 battery life - it does not look the battery is not great neither worst.

right at this point, the technology is not really there to have 7" 2048x1536 retina display and yet have incredible battery life.

may be another die shrink at 22nm we might have easily 10 hours battery life on the iPad mini

 

[217833]

but that would require iOS work on a yet another resolution, do not think it is going to happen.

Well, it's actually already the case since the iPhone 5...
So I wouldn't be surprised if all future product would adopt a new resolution (base somehow on a scaled of the iPhone 5).

They also need to keep something "new" for us to buy a new iPad when we already own 1... 2... or even 3 for some of us

 

[Adam22]

with retina display and A6 then $499

but so far we heard it has same internal as iPad 2, i am all for $299 or even $249

Why would a smaller iPad cost the same at 499 as the regular iPad!!!!? Lol it's prob 299

 

[Shanpdx]

Why would a smaller iPad cost the same at 499 as the regular iPad!!!!? Lol it's prob 299

if the internals and display (retina) are same as in new iPad why would they down sell?

remember, this is apple where you have to pay more $$$ to even go from 11" MBA to 13" MBA (same as 13" MBP to 15" MBP") even though the display cost difference between these are very minimal ...

 

[Tiger8]

My iPad 3 will be sad if this comes true.

Your iPad is fine because apple are not going to release a 'tweaked iPad' as many claim. They might release a mini, but a tweaked one? Whatever improvements they have in store or the iPad is focused on the March release of iPad forum generation.

I laughed when I read some comments saying ipad 3 I a stopgap, really? Retina display is a stopgap?

Most importantly, sales are still super hot.

 

[MacDav]

Mark my words...this is the new big screen Apple TV.

 

[yegon]

It matters not because it is a device for a different market. Just like the iPhone serves a different market than iPad.

Of course, that was exactly my point - the mini is a markedly different target market, hence why I wouldn't take the possibility of its release in q4 as an indicator of any change to the flagship iPad's timetable.

Media time could be taken up buy the new Mac Pro expected next year. If it is the ground breaking machine suspected Apple might want to turn the crank on the media machine for awhile promoting the new Pro.

I'm sure there are sizeable numbers of industry types who are gagging for new Mac Pro's, but the Mac Pro is demonstrably not very high in Apple's priority list these days (sadly). The Mac Pro could dispense sexual favours and the massmarket still wouldn't even be remotely interested. Doubt you'd ever see the Mac Pro on the launch screen when visiting the Apple website. Please understand, I'm not discounting the demand for a redesigned Mac Pro, merely the idea that for 3 months Apple would focus their marketing push on that alone.

This is baloney. Seriously if this was true then where is the new iMac, Mini or Pro? Apple has screwed up, stretched out or otherwise manipulated release dates for years now. They can change up introductions at will.

I'm not for one moment saying Apple either can't or won't change the timetable. Crikey, in past times I was waiting forever for updated mac mini's and, to a lesser extent, updated iMacs. I'm thankful I've never been in the market for a Mac Pro, I can only imagine the patience required there!! However, iDevices have followed a pretty regular schedule, 4S aside, and the endless talk of multiple generations of iDevices within 12 months have always been exactly that, just talk. The only deviance from this has been lengthening between generations, like the 4S and the two year old iPod touches, so this idea of a new generation of iPad (non-mini), 6 months after the previous one and thus shortening the schedule, is a load of BS till something actually materialises.

 

[Aluminum213]

There is a huge problem with this line of reasoning. You said it yourself: the Mini. If the Mini does come out later this month, and all products keep following a yearly cycle, then the Mini will always be newer than the "normal" sized iPad. This simply will not do. This is why I believe they will be updating both, although after this they will resume their yearly release pattern.

If they did upgrade the iPad 3, there will be a **** ton of pissed off iPad owners

 

[dampfnudel]

Give me a break here. IPad 3 is a massive leap forward compared to the previous devices. As to charging time that is due to the larger battery and should be no surprise at all to anybody with half a brain.

Anyone with a half a brain will realize that besides the display, it was pretty much meh and in some ways a downgrade. The A6 wasn't ready in time, so a "A5X" was developed. The IGZO display wasn't ready, so we got a second lamp which increased production costs for Apple and required a larger battery, leading to longer charging times, something quite a few people here have complained about. We also got increased heat. It didn't get lighter either which might be one of the reasons we're getting a smaller iPad now. Sure, some of this is based on speculation, but I think this speculation is based on some valid information and logical thinking.

Now I understand where you're coming from if you own one. You want to feel confident that you made the right decision to purchase this expensive piece of tech. You've enjoyed your iPad despite its flaws and in the end that's all that counts. If you don't own one, it may be time to prepare your wallet.

If they did upgrade the iPad 3, there will be a **** ton of pissed off iPad owners

So what. Any noise those entitled snobs make will be drowned out by the people buying these revised iPads as gifts for loved ones and themselves this holiday season. Why should Apple have a chain around its neck forever as far as release dates go?

 

[Dorje Sylas]

Now I understand where you're coming from if you own one. You want to feel confident that you made the right decision to purchase this expensive piece of tech. You've enjoyed your iPad despite its flaws and in the end that's all that counts. If you don't own one, it may be time to prepare your wallet.

This is actually an important point most "tech" people forget. At some point if your WANT and finances coincide, eventually you have to pick a product cycle to jump on. For me it was the iPad 2 with the inclusion of (admittedly crappy) cameras. That and the actual GPU which is likely to keep the thing ticking of the three years of an iOS devices support life (hopefully longer).

The question to ask is "does this device fit my current wants, and how far can it stretch in the long run."

*edit*

Speaking to product cycles. It is not feasible of an individual of middle class and especially lower class income in a developed country to buy the latest and greatest for the tech world every update. Especially when those updates are now coming every 6 months or less.

 

[SactoGuy18]

My guess: this may have been a field test of an engineering prototype of the next-generation large-screen iPad, one that looks almost like the current model but has the Lightning port connector instead of the older 30-pin iPod dock connector.

 

[ChrisTX]

I wouldn't be upset if the current iPad 3 form factor got a spec bump, but I would be upset if the next gen iPad(presumably the 4th generation) continued to look the same as the last 2 generations.

 

[Luanna5515]

.

 

[Marrakas]

I sold my ipad3 back in June after owning it for just one month. And I really miss it. (Bought a retina macbook and thought it would cover all the tablet needs as well, but I was wrong).

If they release a new version with some small tweaks I think I'm gonna get me one again.

 

[iDom74]

If it ships with an 8MP camera, retina screen and LTE - I'm buying.

 

[Northwestern]

OK, How about this! 2 New iPad Minis are coming.

1. iPad Miini (1024x768 + A5) - Start at 16GB Wifi $300

2. iPad Mini Retina [iPad Mini HD] (2048x1536 + A6) - Start at 16GB Wifi $400

Totally 12 models !! The iPad Mini's "Ultimate Wet Dream".

Instant buy! That is what I am looking for since the iPad 3 launched.