Japanese blog Macotakara is reporting that Apple’s next-generation iPad mini will be actually a shrunken iPad Air 2. According to the report which is rather short on details, the yet-to-be-announced fourth-generation iPad mini should adopt some of the hallmarks of the second-generation iPad Air hardware such as its slim design, 8MP iSight camera and more.
The website claims that the iPad Mini 4 will feature the same specs and features as the iPad Air 2, which will include a 6.1 mm thin design and an 8MP rear camera. It is also likely that the tablet will feature a laminated display with Apple’s new new anti-reflective coating. Sources of the website claims that Apple will be releasing the iPad mini 4 alongside the iPad Pro later this year.
However, the report also claims that Apple might also release an iPad Air 3 that will feature a faster A9 chip. Previous reports have stated that Apple will not be releasing an iPad Air 3 this year, and instead release its bigger and much rumored iPad Pro tablet this year. Additionally, there are rumors that the iPad Mini 4 is going to be Apple’s last mini tablet and will be replaced in the future in favor of the iPad Air and iPad Pro.
That being said, the notion of borrowing the iPad Air 2 for the next iPad mini sounds logical to me. iPad sales, and especially sales of the iPad mini models, have been in the decline several quarters in a row now.
The current device was refreshed last October but you’d be hard-pressed calling it a refresh given Apple’s just slapped Touch ID on it and added a new gold color option.
That being said, removing key hardware differences between full-sized iPads and mini models would allow customers to make informed purchasing decisions based on the form factor alone.
[Source Mac Otakara | Via MacRumors]
However, the report also claims that Apple might also release an iPad Air 3 that will feature a faster A9 chip. Previous reports have stated that Apple will not be releasing an iPad Air 3 this year, and instead release its bigger and much rumored iPad Pro tablet this year. Additionally, there are rumors that the iPad Mini 4 is going to be Apple’s last mini tablet and will be replaced in the future in favor of the iPad Air and iPad Pro.
That being said, the notion of borrowing the iPad Air 2 for the next iPad mini sounds logical to me. iPad sales, and especially sales of the iPad mini models, have been in the decline several quarters in a row now.
The current device was refreshed last October but you’d be hard-pressed calling it a refresh given Apple’s just slapped Touch ID on it and added a new gold color option.
That being said, removing key hardware differences between full-sized iPads and mini models would allow customers to make informed purchasing decisions based on the form factor alone.
[Source Mac Otakara | Via MacRumors]
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