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iPad 5 & iPad mini 2 Retina Release Still On For Fall Says Analyst

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The iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 won’t likely make an appearance at the September 10th event, but Apple is still planning for a new iPad release and event later this year according to an analyst with connections to Apple’s supply chain partners.

Thanks to a plethora of leaks we know Apple is working on an iPad 5 with a thinner and lighter design as well as a new iPad mini 2 model. Sources remains split on whether or not Apple can deliver an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display in 2013, but according to the latest news consumers should look for an iPad mini 2 Retina Display model this year and a cheaper iPad mini in early 2014.

Major case makers are already preparing iPad 5 cases for the refresh, but it looks like the iPad 5 release won’t come until at least October as we’ve already heard from the unofficial spokesperson for Apple event rumors that there will not be iPads at the September 10th event.

Read: iPad 5 vs. iPad 4 Video Delivers Best Look Yet at Alleged New iPad

The iPad mini 2 with Retina Display could arrive in 2013 as Apple pushes to compete with the new Nexus 7.

The iPad mini 2 with Retina Display could arrive in 2013 as Apple pushes to compete with the new Nexus 7.

In his latest note to investors shared on MacRumors, Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Research outlines Apple’s possible plans for the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 release as well as the possible iPad mini 2 and iPad 5 specs.

Of particular interest is Kuo’s claim that Apple is rushing the iPad mini 2 with Retina Display to market to better compete with small high-resolution tablets such as the Nexus 7 2nd generation which Google announced in July.

Kuo’s note claims Apple pushed up the release from 2014 to stay competitive and to, “boost the iPad mini 2’s attractiveness.” Consumers may be happy to hear that an iPad mini 2 with Retina Display could arrive in the next several months, but it looks like it will be in short supply. Kuo’s estimated shipments are 20% of that iPad 5 during Q4.

When it comes to the iPad mini lineup, Kuo also claims Apple is planning a cheaper iPad mini for early 2014 with an Apple A6 chip, which matches up with a device spotted in iOS 7 code. This would let Apple retire the first generation iPad mini and offer a new model to better compete on price with the Nexus 7 and other Android tablets.

New Apple rumors claim the company is preparing the iPad 5 release for Q3 2013.

The iPad 5 could look much more like the iPad mini, with thinner bezels and a thinner design. Via Martin Hajek

The iPad 5 will reportedly present manufacturing challenges due to the new smaller design, but Kuo believes Apple will still deliver an iPad 5 release in 2013. The new iPad 5 model shares the iPad mini design, with thinner bezels that shrink the size of the tablet considerably. It appears the iPad 5 could support LTE TDD, which would allow Apple to sell a model that works on China Mobile.

Both the iPad 5 and iPad mini with Retina Display will use Apple’s A7X processor according to this note. In a note from April Kuo speculated the iPad 5 would use the new Apple A7X processor, and he shared the following iPad 5 specs,

  • 7.5-8.0mm – 15% thinner than the iPad 4
  • 500 grams – 25% lighter than the iPad 4
  • 9.7-inch display with GF2 touch technology from the iPad mini
  • Apple A7X processor
  • 5MP rear camera, HD front camera, similar to the iPad 4
  • Design similar to the iPad mini
  • 8,500-9,000mAh battery – 25 to 30% smaller than the iPad 4

The previous note claimed Samsung will produce the Apple A7X processor for the iPad 5.

The video below shows alleged parts from the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2, which offer up a comparison of the iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 to current iPad devices.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. peggy

    09/07/2013 at 10:35 am

    I want & waiting for iPad mini 2 !!
    I have a ipad 3 & NO i dont want IPADS,
    i want the mini with Cause i use to take pictures a lot !!!
    I use my iPad 3 Inside Mainly laying in bed using it like a Lap top LOL
    I do love the Retina Display & its to Dang Bulky to Take outside !!
    Hurry up & get i pad mini 2,

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