iPad 5 Will Launch This October, iPad mini 2 Delayed Until Next Year
As October approaches, we receive a continuous stream of rumors and reports about the two upcoming tablets from Apple: the fifth generation iPad (the iPad 5) and the second generation iPad mini. However, this time a report contradicts earlier rumors that were suggesting both tablets will be released at the same time, next month. The new report hints that the iPad 5 and the iPad mini 2 won’t both be released next month and iPad mini 2 shipment would happen in 2014.
IHS iSuppli, a market research firm, claims the 9.7 inches iPad 5 will be released next month, as rumored. However, the market research firm says the Retina display second generation iPad mini’s production is not in an advanced enough phase to support a simultaneous release with the iPad 5 in October. Rhoda Alexander, director of tablet and monitor research at IHS iSuppli, says: “The Retina Mini looks less certain for that time. Manufacturing volumes on that would match better with a Q114 [first quarter 2014] launch [...]“.
Rhoda Alexander did mention that Apple is usually an unpredictable company especially when it comes to releasing products, so he doesn’t rule out the possibility of Apple will unveiling both the fifth generation iPad and the second generation iPad mini next month. Such a possibility is not impossible, considering that Apple could announce both tablets at the same time, but ship the iPad mini 2 at a later time.
Analysts suggest that production of the Retina display iPad mini 2 isn’t far enough to guarantee optimal quantities for a release this year. The same report by IHS iSuppli estimates that getting to Apple’s desired quantities of Retina display second generation iPad mini is not possible with current production volumes and the earlier this could happen is at the end of 2013.
In a recent report earlier this year, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities mentioned that there is a chance production for the Retina display iPad mini 2 won’t start until October 2013 due to display yield issues. However, in a recent report Ming-Chi Kuo changed his position suggesting that it is possible that both the Retina iPad mini 2 and the fifth generation iPad could be released at the same time, during this year’s fourth quarter. Ming-Chi Kuo also said that in his opinion, a Retina display iPad mini 2 would be more effective if launched this year and a delay until 2014 could make the Retina display second generation iPad mini less attractive in the eyes of consumers.
There is not much time left until an official announcement from Apple and even though the company’s plans remain unknown, everything is possible, even a non Retina second generation iPad mini, powered by the A6 System on Chip, an upgrade from the current iPad mini that is powered by the A5 System on Chip.
