Next iPad Mini Likely to Have Retina Display, Possibly Multiple Colors of Back Covers

[Val-kyrie]

Retina or not, that's the question.

So if the next gen iPad mini came in several colours, would they keep the aluminum design (much like the iPod touch) or have some kind of plastic backing like the 'iPhone 5C'?

Recent evidence suggests the possibility that Apple will release TWO iPad mini models--one lower cost iPad mini with color options and non-retina display and one higher cost iPad mini in black or white and retina display. Thus Apple would have:

Lower-cost iPhone with colors (4" and 4.3"?)
Lower-cost iPad mini with colors (standard and retina displays)

Higher-cost iPhone (4.3"?)
Higher-cost iPad (retina displays)

Apple could restrict lower-cost iPhones to 8GB and 16GB of internal storage while keeping 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB storage options for the higher-cost iPhones. Similarly, iPads would be differentiated by the size of internal storage, just as they are currently; although I believe the iPad 2 will be discontinued. I believe Apple is targeting this kind of a lineup to address the need for lower priced devices while maintaining products for those who are able and willing to pay more. The only question is whether Apple will introduce a new larger screen size with the upcoming revision of the iPhone.

 

[PowerBook-G5]

So if the next gen iPad mini came in several colours, would they keep the aluminum design (much like the iPod touch) or have some kind of plastic backing like the 'iPhone 5C'?

I would think that they would go for an Aluminum back, in all the colors of the iPod Touch

 

[anomie]

If the next model of a mini is cheaper... and has a polycarbonate body(w/colors)... I'm buying.

I think these would be big big news.

Cheaper? It´s 329 USD, how much cheaper do you need it to be?
This is not an 100 USD pad with 2 hours of battery life.

 

[ChrisTX]

Well I was hoping the new Mini would have cellular technology so it could replace my current phone.

LOL, sarcasm? I'd possibly be down, and just use a bluetooth!

 

[L-U-R-C-H]

It's gonna have retina, it's not gonna have retina, it's gonna have retina, it's not gonna have retina, it's gonna have retina...

 

[martygras9]

SMH if you believe they felt the need to make any statement to correct purportedly false rumors.

Exactly. Apple's interest is pleasing the average consumer, not the die hard fan. The church doesn't preach to the clergy.

 

[zombierunner]

iPad mini with performance matching atleast the current gen iPad and retina display .. smaller top and bottom bezel (bonus)

 

[Ursadorable]

Right. But since this is Mac Rumors dot com, they should just be reporting on "rumors" about the "Mac" It's not Apple Rumors dot com

Well, you could always read AppleInsider, but they are more SamsungInsider than Apple these days.

 

[T-Mac]

When WSJ says, "people familiar with the matter", that means "Apple".

This is a clear message from Apple to kill the rumors started today that the next Mini would not have retina. They don't want people rushing out to buy Nexus 7 thinking retina isn't coming.

Ding, ding, ding.......we have a winner. This was a very strategic leak.

 

[Ursadorable]

It's gonna have retina, it's not gonna have retina, it's gonna have retina, it's not gonna have retina, it's gonna have retina...

It's already too small, give me a 13" retina iPad.. preferably with a wacom digitizer embedded.

 

[merkinmuffley]

retina display would be a reason to buy.

 

[bchery21]

No one really knows! Every other day there's an article stating the opposite. IMO, I think the Mini will go Retina...

 

[goinskiing]

But Samsung haven't released a retina tablet outside of the Nexus 10 themselves yet, and given the terrible reviews the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 " is reciving, I don't think anyone is going to be worried......

Oh and Nexus 7 HD versus iPad Mini already played out - and the mini won regardless of lesser specs on paper. Until 'specs' automatically equate to more sales - that argument has litte merit.

This argument doesn't really hold any water either and is purely speculative of the Nexus 7.2 and the new mini. The market has shifted and the playing field is much different now. Doesnt mean that ipad mini wont sell well, its just that the circumstances this time around are a little different and the Nexus 7 2013 is getting some attention. It would be turning a blind eye for Apple to not directly address it.

 

[zombierunner]

we want both .. no compromise

I'd rather have fast graphics than a retina display.

 

[Gix1k]

Retina is the only thing it's missing. What could they possibly change other than that. They are making the iPad 5 look just like the current mini, so the design is still good. In fact, the design is perfect to me.
I went and bought the Nexus 7 and sold my mini. I will be in line for a retina mini on release day. Bye bye Nexus!

 

[sadesh]

time to sell the old mini and buy a retina one. Glad iProducts retain a good resale value. Nexus 7's only go for $120's with less than 6 month usage.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I honestly thing Apple is in a very, very tricky scenario here. From what I hear a Retina iPad mini isn't quite possible currently (this could prove to be wrong, but it's what all of the tech journalists "in-the-know" believe). This leaves Apple with 3 options.

1) Release a compromised retina iPad mini. This means either thicker, less battery life, degraded performance, or some combination of the above.

2) Wait and release retina iPad mini when ready (next march/april?). Then apple will go a year and a half without an upgrade and compromise their holiday sales. People will bltch and complain.

3) Release a non-retina upgraded mini. Oh wow. Here comes the angry mobs.

There's really no good scenario for Apple here...

The iPad 3 proves that Apple is capable of releasing option 1 (thicker, heavier, longer charge time, heating issues, poor performance, AND reduced battery life), but would Apple want to do that again? If they go with option 2 they could give the standard yearly price drop (despite not releasing another iPad mini), but I'm not sure Apple would like the perception that would result in.

Personally, I would release a slightly updated mini (non-retina) and continue selling the old mini at a slight discount ($249-$279).

 

[Patriot24]

SMH if you believe they felt the need to make any statement to correct purportedly false rumors.

I don't understand all of the posts in this thread saying "no one knows", "analysts guessing again", "only Apple knows for sure". If we've been paying attention at all for the last 10 years, we should know that this was a controlled leak from Apple to one of their trusted media outlets to disseminate the message that they need to keep buyers waiting just a little longer.

There is no mystery here. The next iPad Mini will have retina. Apple just told us so.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Retina is the only thing it's missing. What could they possibly change other than that. They are making the iPad 5 look just like the current mini, so the design is still good. In fact, the design is perfect to me.
I went and bought the Nexus 7 and sold my mini. I will be in line for a retina mini on release day. Bye bye Nexus!

Well it could change a few things. I believe it has the A4 processor, so that could be upgraded to the A6. Camera performance can always be improved. Battery life can always be improved (not that it's really needed). There is also talk that the side bezels will be reduced even further than they already are.

I agree there's not leaps and bounds to be currently accomplished (besides retina), but they could give an iPad 3 -> iPad 4 type upgrade

----------

Is it just me or does it seem like these rumors about the iPad mini just going back and forth about a retina display...? :/

It's not just you. (I was going to post all the articles over the past few months, but that's too much work. haha)

 

[peteo]

I'm skeptical that retina battery life vs. weight vs. performance vs. price have been solved already for the Mini, but when it does happen, I expect non-retina cheaper models to remain. (And then it might be just barely OK--far from ideal--to have a heavier or thicker Mini, because the nice light model would remain too.)

Its possible it could IGZO tech from sharp, but i'm not sure if samsung can produced those (maybe samsung is making screens for a non rentina low cost version?)

Might also have found a way to only use 1 light source instead of the 2 like the retina iPad uses.

 

[vmachiel]

I know this is a rumor site, but if the rumors change every week between yes and no, maybe not post about it for a while. If you see where the majority or rumors is trending towards, post a story about that.

Regarding the Mini, don't they have to go retina? with the new nexus seven at full HD and 100 dollars less, they just have to imho.

 

[peteo]

Honestly, this isnt even news. Definitely not worth a 'News Discussion thread'.

It will likely have a retina display"
- wow. people have thought that since the day the iPad mini was launched, its an obvious step for the iPad Mini.
-BigMac-

This WSJ article says it will have a rentina display. most likely a leak from apple

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/08...port-retina-display/?mod=WSJ_qtnews_wsjlatest

 

[ratigator]

How about a black/slate or white/silver rMini with no rear camera for $279? Asking too much?

The colored rear shell rumor is intriguing too, but not important to me personally. The current Mini is almost perfect in my opinion - it just needs that "gorgeous retina display" (and maybe smoother edges).

 

[elev8d]

Rumors absolutely matter. If you look at the sales figures for all Apple devices, there are lulls for several months prior to the expected release date of new iterations. Many people are smart enough to understand the yearly cycle and thusly hold off purchases.

Clearly Apple thought it was important enough to provide this information to WSJ in the form of a controlled leak, which is exactly what this is.

Well I definitely tell everyone I know to hold off until September or October to make their phone and tablet purchases so they can see what everyone has out at that time. Since I've told about 30 people that, I'd say just knowing one person that keeps up on tech can have a pretty big impact.

 

[lleyts]

The nature of the rumors seem to indicate "supply chain compression" of the iPad Mini and iPad Mini Retina. The inclusion of A6 iPad mini in iOS7 indicate a release along with iPhone 5S, 5C, and iPad Retina with improved and die shrunk chip. Tick Tock.

I expect to see an early 2014 release of the iPad Mini Retina so there are two tiers of Mini product or perhaps a full replacement. Two tiers makes sense for ed price point fulfillment.

The iPhone (4, 4S) supply chain deprecation issues seem to be compliant with not only legal rulings but also a new future minimum spec level to 5+.

I will watch to see if I am close over the next 4-5 months.

Rocketman

would piss everyone off … get the new ipad mini this fall (without retina and at 329) and miss retina ipad in spring because their ipad mini is only six months old - and price will drop for ipad mini c to 279