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Will the iPAD MINI 2 have 'retina' display and A6? Should I wait to buy the mini?

saintforlife said:
I think you are right. Right now the battery technology severely lags behind other things in terms of making devices smaller. In a very un-Apple like fashion, they had to make the iPad 3 thicker just to put a bigger battery in it. I bet that was the last resort for Apple. I don't see battery technology catching up any time soon. We may actually be stuck with the non-retina display for 2 gens at least on the iPad mini.
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If you look at the iPad mini video on Apple's website (around the 2:30 mark), they show the internals. It seems like there's an unusual amount of empty space for an iOS device. With the advances they've made in battery technology (like the iPhone 5), perhaps it's not such a stretch. Filling the voids and having more efficient tech, like an IGZO display, could make all the difference.
 
OP, you have asked the questions I asked myself. All I can give you is my personal experience. I purchased and sold the iPad 2. Then, I upgraded to the iPad 3 but returned it. Why? Because both devices were too heavy for me to comfortably hold for long periods of time. I kept returning to my light-weight 3rd generation non-retina iPod Touch. For me, the retina wasn't worth the trade-off. I realize this is only my experience.

I've been impatiently waiting for the iPad Mini rumors to come true. And when the iPad Mini was announced, I groaned when it didn't have retina. I tried to rationalize waiting.

But I asked myself these questions:

1) Is the size/weight that important to me?
2) Can I purchase the iPad Mini now, knowing it's not exactly what I wanted and that I may have to re-purchase when it has an improved processor and retina?
3) If this means waiting 1 or 2 years, am I willing to wait that long?

If you decide retina and the A6 is a deal-breaker, my advice would be to purchase the iPad 3 refurbished, or pay the full price for the iPad 4 now. But if you can live without it and really want the smaller size and weight, buy the iPad Mini. Don't wait - life really is too short.
 
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Prediction: iPad Mini 2 will [must] have retina display next year.
Then only iPad Mini 2, iPad 4 and 5 will be offered.

That means support/development for 1024 x 768 resolution will quickly dry up for iPad 2, iPad Mini.
 
Rsto95 said:
The iPad Mini is a great device nevertheless. I think Retina Display would've made its value even higher, but it's all about profit margins. If Apple wanted to keep the same profits while adding Retina-Display, consumers would've had to pay $350! It's greedy, but Apple has the power to keep customers rolling in. If anyone has time, I found this post interesting: http://detectapple.com/apples-ipad-mini-retina-display/
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"I found this post (that I wrote) interesting".....LOL :)
 
I think the mini 2 will have retina because that way apple will have two options for you to get into a mini.

The 1st gen for kids, non retina.

And the 2nd gen for enthusiasts, prices slightly more because of specs.
 
I'm guilty of "waiting" just like everyone else.. I didn't get the 3rd gen and now the 4th gen is out.. The problem is that if u keep on waiting the next version might not have what your looking for.. I say get the best now and decide later on what to do. Upgrade or stay with what you have..

All these threads are about waiting for the next one.. Get it now and be happy.. and if the new one is what you like than get that one..
 
In case some magical breakthrough in batteries comes through, or if they shrink the A5X or A6X in half, I doubt there will be a retina display in the next mini. They wouldn't make the mini fatter when it's number one selling point is portability.

Forget the retina, bring on the A6 and in-cell technology!
 
ZBoater said:
Ummmmmmm, no.
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Simple logic.
Apple updates iPads at least yearly.
That means next year *will* bring iPad Mini 2 and iPad 5. The current iPad Mini is already outdated tech, so Mini 2 must have retina and faster processor next year or it will be tragic. The line-up will be: iPad Mini 2, iPad 4, iPad 5. --No room there for iPad 2 lacking retina, A6, lightening connector.
 
Akash.B said:
In case some magical breakthrough in batteries comes through, or if they shrink the A5X or A6X in half, I doubt there will be a retina display in the next mini. They wouldn't make the mini fatter when it's number one selling point is portability.

Forget the retina, bring on the A6 and in-cell technology!
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Ever read about this? http://newsdesk.umd.edu/universitynews/release.cfm?ArticleID=2302

Sounds like a magical battery breakthrough to me, and it's nearly 2 years old.
 
It definitely depends on the competition - Google, Samsung and Microsoft. If either of them comes up with a 7-8" HD screen; Apple will just tell Foxconn to schedule a session to start production. I sure that already have a prototype in the testing stage now or even finished. It not that hard to do since they have experience from iPad3 and iPad 4. All they have to do is follow the steps they did with iPad2 -> iPad mini1.

In the past; Apple would just milk the technology our of a model to stretch out a couple of years before they would finally do a top of the line model. These days I think maybe gone since there are so many competitors in the market - Apple starting to realized that they cannot fall behind in techonology offerrings and hold back like they have done in the past.

I predict that we will see a retina with either an A6 and hoping for a A6x with 1 GB of RAM inside of the second generation iPad mini in March or October 2013!

I will not buy one until it has a retina screen! I cannot go back to 1024 x 768 163 ppi. I want a 264 ppi!
 
Akash.B said:
In case some magical breakthrough in batteries comes through, or if they shrink the A5X or A6X in half, I doubt there will be a retina display in the next mini. They wouldn't make the mini fatter when it's number one selling point is portability.

Forget the retina, bring on the A6 and in-cell technology!
Click to expand...

It might be a couple of mm thicker then the mini1 and will add a couple of ounces more if that! Plus, the battery is proportional to the size of the screen! The iPad mini has the new GF DITO touchscreen techology in it which really reduces the weigh.

It not a big jump in technology; they just need to repackage it like the did with iPad2 ->iPad3->iPad4.
 
HarryWild said:
I predict that we will see a retina with either an A6 and hoping for a A6x with 1 GB of RAM inside of the second generation iPad mini in March or October 2013!

I will not buy one until it has a retina screen! I cannot go back to 1024 x 768 163 ppi. I want a 264 ppi!
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Wow, March OR October? You're really going out on a limb there, buddy. :p

The next iPad mini will very likely be in October, I think, for a few reasons: 1) October release sets up the iPad line just in time for the holiday season, 2) A7 won't be ready until the second half of the year and 3) Apple can implement the latest and greatest processor on all of their iOS devices in one quarter rather than this whole A[]X thing each spring.

I'm still curious to see press reviews of this unit, which I assume will be released this coming Wednesday before the Friday release as is typical practice. I personally can't see myself buying a non-retina portable device in 2012, but that's just me.
 
Rsto95 said:
The iPad Mini is a great device nevertheless. I think Retina Display would've made its value even higher, but it's all about profit margins. If Apple wanted to keep the same profits while adding Retina-Display, consumers would've had to pay $350! It's greedy, but Apple has the power to keep customers rolling in. If anyone has time, I found this post interesting: http://detectapple.com/apples-ipad-mini-retina-display/
Click to expand...


It more like $200 more for a retina and A6 inside. That their makeup. It would be great if it was only $350-$329 or $21 more! LOL! Apple is a very greedy company!
 
I really don't think we'll see a Retina display on the iPad mini next year, the Retina display simply requires too much power right now.

saintforlife said:
I really am torn right now. I really want the iPad mini as I've never had a tablet before. I always thought the iPad was too big to use as an e-reader, but the iPad mini is going to be perfect for me. Only things holding me back: Non-retina display and lack of A6 processor.

Having recently upgraded from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 5, I see that the A6 processor makes a TON of difference. Everything on the iPhone 5 is so buttery smooth and fast. And that web browsing....is screams on the iPhone 5. I could never go back to my iPhone 4.

So should I over come the initial urge to get the iPad mini and just wait for the iPad mini 2? What is the probability that the iPad mini will have retina display? Can Apple make enough advances in the next one year in battery technology to make it possible? Or are we stuck with the low 163 ppi screen on the iPad mini for two generations at least? If we are stuck with the non-retina display for 2 years, I might as well get the mini now.
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The difference between the A4 and A6 is huge, but the A5 is still pretty fast -- it's somewhere in-between the two.

I'm grabbing a Mini.
 
A6 is a pretty safe bet, retina is not. The power requirements to push that many pixels simply don't allow for a battery as small as the iPad mini has. Almost all of the volume of the full sized iPad is filled with battery, short of a minor miracle in battery technology, it likely won't see a retina display for at least another generation, maybe longer.

It's possible that Apple attempts a lower resolution to reach retina status. It could achieve the same pixel density as the full size model with a resolution that sits around 1600x1200. That would break it from the strict 1/4 pixel count it currently has which makes all apps easily scalable and requires no more work from developers though, which isn't something Apple's going to risk until the mini has proven itself as a high volume, staple product in their lineup.

It's also possible that they keep it non-retina, bump processors and designs as needed and reduce prices when possible. My thinking is that retina (1600x1200) is the current roadmap, thus the $329 price tag. If they back off from it, they can always lower the price, no one will mind. But, if they launched at $249 and then went to $329 with the better display down the line, it wouldn't go over well.
 
Mak47 said:
A6 is a pretty safe bet, retina is not. The power requirements to push that many pixels simply don't allow for a battery as small as the iPad mini has. Almost all of the volume of the full sized iPad is filled with battery, short of a minor miracle in battery technology, it likely won't see a retina display for at least another generation, maybe longer.

It's possible that Apple attempts a lower resolution to reach retina status. It could achieve the same pixel density as the full size model with a resolution that sits around 1600x1200. That would break it from the strict 1/4 pixel count it currently has which makes all apps easily scalable and requires no more work from developers though, which isn't something Apple's going to risk until the mini has proven itself as a high volume, staple product in their lineup.

It's also possible that they keep it non-retina, bump processors and designs as needed and reduce prices when possible. My thinking is that retina (1600x1200) is the current roadmap, thus the $329 price tag. If they back off from it, they can always lower the price, no one will mind. But, if they launched at $249 and then went to $329 with the better display down the line, it wouldn't go over well.
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no programs for retina mini yet
 
Retina is not a given at all for Ipad Mini 2. Apple is hell bent to try to protect app developers and try to make sure that all the tablet apps can run in all Apple tablet. So you have 2 resolution now 1024x768 and 2056x1536. When everyone proclaim that Ipad min 2 will have retina, what display resolution you have in mind? If it is different than the two existing resolution, how can Apple make sure that all the apps convert before launch? Remember it is up to the App owner to change their apps. Apple has very little say to the timing. If you are thinking 2056x1536, it will certainly work. But how much will adding the retina display cost? How much increase in the size of the battery which impact the weight and size of the tablet? Ipad 3 was the lowest profit margin product Apple has last Q before Ipad mini show up. With the 329 price point, can Apple build a retina Ipad mini 2 and make a profit with the additional cost of the retaina screen and bigger battery.. Guessing from the comment Apple management made in last week's conference call. Ipad mini has at best high teen to low 20% of gross margin.. Which mean after paying for development, marketing, shipping etc, Apple hardly make much money on Ipad mini. If they have to absorb additional cost for the retina display, will Ipad mini become a lose leader?
 
xofruitcake said:
When everyone proclaim that Ipad min 2 will have retina, what display resolution you have in mind?
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I agree with this. Retina seems like the logical next step, but there's really no way to do it now without using an intermediate resolution between 1024x768 and 2056x1536, thus fragmenting the app environment further. Apple has shown it does not like to fragment the user experience if at all possible.

I predict it will be 2-3 years before 2056x1536 panels will be cost- and energy-effective enough to warrant placement in the mini and then we'll finally get the retina upgrade we're already talking about.
 
Retina is a given for iPad Mini. Latest iPhone has retina; latest iPod has retina; latest iPad has retina; latest Macs have retina--most becoming increasingly thinner, lighter and with equal or superior battery life at the same time.

Yes, app developers may have work to do. That's the cost of progress!
 
....and let's not forget iPad Mini's much cheaper competitors already have 1280 x 800 rez on smaller screens, with rumored plans to continue increasing.
 
mondaybasil said:
I predict it will be 2-3 years before 2056x1536 panels will be cost- and energy-effective enough to warrant placement in the mini and then we'll finally get the retina upgrade we're already talking about.
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I am guessing that it will be sooner than that. Before the Ipad mini launch, there were a rumor about LCD screen change for the reworked Ipad 3 (now known as Ipad 4) that require less backlight and cheaper. The LCD used in Ipad 3 and Ipad 4 now are really last generation LCD screen that is very expensive to produce and require a lot of power. We will find out in the Nexus 10 Monday. Rumor is that Nexus 10 will have 2560x1600 (vs Ipad3/4 2048x1536) and Google/Samsung (the co-brand the tablet) will price it around 400 (more than likely a money loser at that price). So the technology is here now that can be produce in low cost but we don't know if it is low cost enough to put in a $325 tablet and still turn a profit and how much power will it need to operate. Retina display in Ipad mini is an open question driven by the cost and power consumption of new technology.
 
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