Questionable Claim of 30% Slimmer 'iPad Mini Air' Launching in Late 2014

[MacRumors]

According to a new report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News, Apple's third-generation iPad mini will be an "Air"-like model, featuring a design that shaves 30 percent off the thickness of the device. This thinness along with a powerful new A8 processor will be among the main selling points for the next generation iPad mini, claims the Asian sources (via GforGames).

Mockups of the next generation iPhone, iPad Mini, and iPad Air from Apple.club.tw ​

While the sources of the rumor are given only as from the supply chain, the claim of a 30 percent thinner iPad mini seems to be an overly optimistic one. The original iPad mini measured 7.2 mm thick, and the device saw a slight increase to 7.5 mm with the move to a Retina display last year. The larger iPad Air moved in the opposite direction last year, slimming down from 9.4 mm in the fourth-generation iPad to match the Retina iPad mini at 7.5 mm.

A 30 percent reduction in thickness for the iPad mini would put it in the range of 5.25 mm, and how Apple would achieve such a reduction is unclear, especially given the increase in horsepower seen with the move to a Retina display last year. That move made the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini essentially identical with the exception of display size.

Apple is expected to release the updated iPad mini in the third quarter of 2014, likely following the iPhone 6 launch in September. Besides a possible thinner form factor and A8 processor, the next generation iPad mini also is expected to include a more durable Touch ID fingerprint sensor containing tin. Similar to the iPhone, the next generation iPad is expected to support iOS 8's new SDK that allows third-party developers to access the fingerprint scanner for verification purposes.

Besides the iPad Air and iPad mini, Apple is rumored to be expanding its iPad lineup with a larger 12.9-inch iPad. Dubbed the "iPad Pro," the larger model may not be released until 2015, claims DisplaySearch analyst David Hsieh. This prediction echoes a earlier report from KGI Securities Ming-Chi Kuo who also predicted a 2015 launch date for the oversized tablet device.

Article Link: Questionable Claim of 30% Slimmer 'iPad Mini Air' Launching in Late 2014

 

[Chrjy]

Now that would be impressive! Along with a 48 hour battery life...!

 

[Dekema2]

That's a long name for a product! If it was a real rumor, Apple would approaching the "Samsung Galaxy S III" caliber of names...

 

[Yvan256]

That's amazing

In a few iPad generation, we'll be able to use them in the kitchen to cut vegetables.

 

[cobbyco]

If it's so questionable, why even publish it?

Oh right, for the clicks.

 

[Naimfan]

I really do wish Apple would get past this obsession with thinness.

The iPad itself is thin enough. Ditto the iPhone 5/5S, which almost feel flimsy (as does the MBA, for that matter).

Improve battery life and keep the same level of thin.

 

[jahoys]

more likely it will go back to the original thinness of the first gen iPad mini. from 7.5mm to 7.2mm

 

[Goldex]

iPad Mini Air sounds weird, I'd prefer iPad Air Mini.

 

[GizmoDVD]

That's a long name for a product! If it was a real rumor, Apple would approaching the "Samsung Galaxy S III" caliber of names...

iPad with Retina Display.

No, sorry.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Now that would be impressive! Along with a 48 hour battery life...!

Oh if only. Regrettably Ive's fetish for paper-thin devices means there's no hope for that ... unless battery technology makes some huge leaps.

 

[0xyMoron]

If it's so questionable, why even publish it?

Oh right, for the clicks.

MacRumors should have been your first clue.

 

[malexandria]

Buying Air

At some point things will be so thin, we'll buy Air or an Apple Tatoo for our hands.

----------

What's the point of being thin if 95% of users will have a big bulky case around the device anyway?

 

[Alenore]

That's a long name for a product! If it was a real rumor, Apple would approaching the "Samsung Galaxy S III" caliber of names...

Apple iPhone 5S
Samsung Galaxy S5.
iPhone 5S => Galaxy S5.

 

[Santabean2000]

Now, if they'd just put a decent display in the mini...

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Dear Apple,

Let's just stick with names 2 words long at the longest, Okay?

 

[rudychidiac]

Let's just call it:
"The New Apple iPad Mini Air 3 With Retina Display"

 

[GeneralChang]

In a few iPad generation, we'll be able to use them in the kitchen to cut vegetables.

Great. Now I want this feature. I’m not buying another tablet until I can turn on my TV at 2:40 AM and see a very enthusiastic presenter demonstrating the ability of the latest iPad to slice a tomato without crushing it.

Ball’s in your court, Apple.

 

[Nimrad]

Fingerprint sensor would be a perfect excuse for Apple to introduce multiple accounts on iPads IMO.

That's a long name for a product! If it was a real rumor, Apple would approaching the "Samsung Galaxy S III" caliber of names...

How is that significantly longer than "Apple iPhone 5S"?

 

[EvilEvil]

I'm not upgrading my ipad mini retina until they make them paper thin.

 

[69Mustang]

Thinner is neither a feature nor benefit when the product is already thin enough. Better battery? Yup. More powerful? Here here. Thinner? Yawn.

Apple is making it increasingly hard for me to want to add anymore of their offerings to my inventory. My iPad2 and 2011 MBA are perfectly serviceable and none of their recent offerings are compelling enough to me to warrant an upgrade. Screw thinner and give me a new mac mini.

 

[Dekema2]

Fingerprint sensor would be a perfect excuse for Apple to introduce multiple accounts on iPads IMO.



How is that significantly longer than "Apple iPhone 5S"?

But how often do you hear someone say "I have an Apple iPhone 5S?" Apple iPad Mini Air is long, and even worse would be Apple iPad Mini Air with Retina Display IF that ever came out

 

[Michael Goff]

iPad Mini Air wouldn't be so bad.


That being said, is anyone chomping at the bit for a thinner Mini?

 

[recoil80]

I really do wish Apple would get past this obsession with thinness.

The iPad itself is thin enough. Ditto the iPhone 5/5S, which almost feel flimsy (as does the MBA, for that matter).

Improve battery life and keep the same level of thin.

I think they can reduce the iPad's weight a little more, while I'm happy with the iPhone in terms of thickness and weight

 

[icanhazapple]

number of cores will differ at some point

mini will stick with two, regular iPad will go to four.

I really think some version of OS X will eventually come to the tablets, or a drastic iOS redesign will come in version 10. That would be elegant - once both are 10, they both merge. The iPhone/iPad mini will stick the traditional iOS environment, with the tablets gaining some desktop functionality.

Performance among the tablet operating system will be analogous to the performance differences between the Macbook Air and Macbook Pro. Different capabilities, with a meaningful difference in hardware specs between the two sizes.

 

[TallGuyGT]

The iPad's display is not laminated to the glass like with the iPhone, rMBP and iMac. That may save a very little space. I wish they'd laminate it if only to reduce reflections like with their other products.

I'm fine with the thickness of both iPads. Like the iPhone, I wish they'd take a break on reducing thickness and focus on significantly increased battery life.