Sketchy Report Claims No New iPad Air in 2015, One Last iPad Mini

[MacRumors]

With Apple said to unveil its long-rumored 12.9-inch iPad Pro in November, many assumed that both the iPad mini 3 and iPad Air 2 would see refreshes as well. However, a new report from Economic Daily News [Translation] (via Macotakara [Translation]) says that no new iPad Air will be revealed.

While the iPad Air 2 may not see a refresh, the iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro will see introductions. Liaoxian Li, investment advisor at Fubon Hardware, tells Economic Daily News that Apple may want the attention on the new iPad Pro and thus will let its main assembly plant for iPads, Foxconn, focus on the Pro to maximize deployment capacity. Li believes a new iPad Air might not be released until 2016. Economic Daily News has a mixed track record on rumors and the accuracy of this particular analyst isn't known.

Additionally, the report claims that the new iPad mini might be the last one as the Apple wants to focus on the two larger iPads in the future. Many people were disappointed with the iPad mini update in 2014, which essentially added Touch ID to the existing iPad mini 2. The next iPad mini will likely be more of an upgrade, with a rumored rear shell featuring iPad Air 2 design elements already making the rounds.

While it's possible Apple won't upgrade the iPad Air 2 this year, the company has been constraining supplies of the iPad Air to third-party retailers, suggesting the iPad Air 2 would become the lower-cost option as an iPad Air 3 slots into Apple's tablet lineup. However, it's possible Apple introduces an iPad Air 3 with minimal additions, as it did with the iPad mini 3.

Article Link: Sketchy Report Claims No New iPad Air in 2015, One Last iPad Mini

 

[nigameash]

If Apple kills the iPad Air or disregards it like it did with the iPad Mini, I'm going to be really disappointed. But again it's a sketchy report

 

[thevofl]

I don't understand the hate towards the mini. I love mine. It is way more portable than when I had an iPad. Why can't we have three?

 

[DancingTiger01]

Getting rid of the iPad Mini would be a mistake

 

[CmdrLaForge]

If Apple wants to make sure the iPad continues to decline then it's a hell of a good idea not to release an update for another year.

 

[sketchguy]

Hmm. Any chance we might see an official Apple pressure-sensitive stylus to go with this iPad "Pro"? Because, you know, us "Pros" who like to use the iPad for sketching/drawing would love something that actually works, with palm recognition and Wacom-like functionality. Or, when will Apple just up and buy Wacom?

 

[ThatTechGuy]

The plot thickens...

 

[Wreckus]

Hmm. Any chance we might see an official Apple pressure-sensitive stylus to go with this iPad "Pro"? Because, you know, us "Pros" who like to use the iPad for sketching/drawing would love something that actually works, with palm recognition and Wacom-like functionality. Or, when will Apple just up and buy Wacom?

I think you're onto something. in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they intentionally promote the bigger tablet for professionals only with a stylus (iPad pro as the name maybe?) and promote the Mini & Air models for consumers.

 

[samh004]

Additionally, the report claims that the new iPad mini might be the last one as the Apple wants to focus on the two larger iPads in the future.

If the idea is to eventually focus on 2 iPad's on;y, with neither being the mini, wouldn't introducing the "Pro" alongside an iPad Air 3 be more logical? That way the new "Air" could fit into the price-point of the mini and the new "Pro" take over from where the "Air" was.

 

[nojkepop]

Apple doesn't release an updated iPad Mini. No one buys it because there's no point. Then Apple decides to only have one more update and focus on the larger models because people buy those...

 

[Denmac1]

Time to trim the line up. Apple needs to clean up the amount of iPad products offered. Personally, I never saw the need for the mini, although it seems that there are many that like it.
Glad I went ahead and bought my Air 2. Very happy with it. I know there are those that are looking at the Pro, but if I was going for that size, I believe I would go for a laptop. With that said, there could be a potential market in Enterprise for the Pro, especially based on Apple's renewed partnership with IBM.

 

[sir1963nz]

I don't understand the hate towards the mini. I love mine. It is way more portable than when I had an iPad. Why can't we have three?

I had an iPad first off and found reading on it awkward, it put a strain on my wrist when hosting it with one hand. So I opted for a Mini and love it. It has been around the world with me twice so far.

If the mini goes.... well its a Kindle next for me.

 

[The Game 161]

That's damn stupid

12.9 is too big for a tablet and would be even worse if they removed the mini

 

[2IS]

Apple is just being stubborn at this point. They know the next step is to make the iPad more than a large iPhone/iPod Touch but they just don't want to do that. So instead the marketing team is thinking up of ways on how to sell a new ipad that does nothing new.

 

[subjonas]

More sizes, not less!

 

[fel10]

As someone who's planing to upgrade my iPad this year, I'm really looking forward to see what Apple has in stores for the new iPad.

 

[Geekazoid]

Given that this is a "sketchy" report, I doubt it's accuracy.

As is often said, you can't believe everything you hear, or in this case, read.

 

[dampfnudel]

I hope the iPad mini 4 gets an A9 with 2GB of RAM and a better display.

 

[Pman17]

hmmm... well they did update the iPad too soon one year for the lightning cable

 

[Tech198]

A sketchy rumor should be drawn freehand

 

[oldmacs]

I can't possibly see the market for an iPad Pro being bigger than the iPad Mini...

Unless they beef up iOS and have a keyboard accessory etc... but then you're practically at the Retina Macbook...

 

[The Game 161]

As somebody who has a note 12.2...as good as it is its not something you can use in your hand for long periods

 

[FieldingMellish]

When will Apple simply call the Pro model the iPad Large?

 

[cult hero]

I'd be sad if they dropped the Mini. The Air is much nicer than the originals but the Mini is the perfect size for the way it's used most in my house: by my kids.

 

[8012R3]

If the idea is to eventually focus on 2 iPad's on;y, with neither being the mini, wouldn't introducing the "Pro" alongside an iPad Air 3 be more logical? That way the new "Air" could fit into the price-point of the mini and the new "Pro" take over from where the "Air" was.

Apple will never give the consumer more product for less money. The Pro version, will set its own price point.