iPad mini 2 To Be Released This Fall With Retina Display
About two weeks ago, some iPad mini 2 images were leaked on the Internet, after rumors about the fifth generation iPad. These leaked iPad mini 2 images, showed the back panel of the next generation iPad mini and it seems it will be almost identical to the older model.
The iPad mini 2 leaked images were called “a bit disappointing”; it was also noted that the iPad mini 2 and the iPad 5 leaked images showed the Apple logo on both the rear housing as well as on the covers of both devices. The supposed iPad mini 2 body that appeared in the photos, also featured an aluminum Apple logo, quite different from the logo on the current iPad mini, a plastic cut out logo. The images were also missing the “iPad” name on the outside – this could mean that the leaked photos might belong to a prototype iPad mini 2 tablet.
If the Apple logo will indeed change the material it is being made of, from plastic to metal, the antenna reception for both the 3G and the 4G models and for the WiFi signals might be decreased as a result. However, if the leaked images are indeed coming from an iPad mini 2 prototype, Apple still has a lot of time for changes so the material used in the final iPad mini 2 model, for the Apple logo, might change.
These leaked images of the iPad mini 2, point to minimal change in the tablet’s design, the volume buttons, rear camera and dock connector being placed exactly where they are on the current iPad mini tablet. And if the next generation iPad mini won’t feature any major changes in physical design (as it is suggested by the leaked images), Apple’s iPad mini 2 will probably feature changes in different areas, in order to compensate. For example, there is an iPad mini 2 rumor hinting that Apple’s upcoming tablet will come with an upgraded display, as good as the second generation Google Nexus 7′s display. Specifically, these rumors point to a 7.9 inch Retina display for the next generation iPad mini. We have no doubt that the iPad mini 2 will feature a higher res screen than the current iPad mini and it will most likely be manufactured by Samsung.
This rumored iPad mini 2, that is said to feature a 7.9 inch Retina display, will surely go head to head with Google’s recently released new Nexus 7 tablet, that comes equipped with a 7 inch display capable of a resolution of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels. The Retina display iPad mini 2 will also compete with Amazon’s rumored tablet, the Kindle Fire HD and with Samsung’s own high definition tablets of 12.2 and 10 inches displays, that are said to offer an impressive display resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels.
The High Definition Retina display is not the only improvement the next generation iPad mini will feature. Other rumored improvements include, a better camera sensor, a faster and more powerful CPU (a quad core is speculated) and more RAM. When it comes to software, without a doubt, the iPad mini 2 will come with the latest version of Apple’s mobile OS, iOS 7. The seventh iteration of iOS was revealed earlier in 2013 and it is expected to be launched in September.
Regarding the iPad mini 2′s announcement date, there is no official word from Apple; however we do have many rumors, most of them indicating the same time frame of mid September. It is speculated that the iPad mini 2 will be unveiled together with the rumored low budget iPhone. As for the actual release date, if the announcement will take place mid September, most likely the next generation iPad mini will be released either at the end of September or in October 2013.
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for KGI Securities, speculated that the next generation iPad mini will be launched in either March or April 2014; he also backed his claim saying that the adding a High Definition display to the next generation iPad mini will probably delay its release date until 2014. He also argued that the inclusion of a High Definition display will decrease battery life so adjustments will have to be made regarding the upcoming tablet’s battery.
One last thing we need to mention is that sources close to LG Display hinted that two, maybe three million panels units for the next generation iPad mini will be shipped before its rumored release date of October 2013. This could mean that the iPad mini 2′s launch will happen well before the 2013 holiday season.
