Possible ‘iPad Mini’ Spotted in iOS App Developer Logs

Instapaper developer Marco Arment has spotted two new iPad device codes in his logs that he believes represents the long rumored "iPad mini".

The new identifiers found were "iPad2,5" and "iPad2,6". As Arment notes, the iPad2,1 through iPad 2,3 designations are known to represent the iPad 2's WiFi, GSM and CDMA models. The iPad2,4 represents a die-shrunk/cheaper version of the iPad 2 that was released alongside the 3rd generation iPad. Finally, the 3rd Generation iPad carries a designation of iPad3,x.

imore ipad mini mockup
iPad Mini mockup (left) by iMore

As for "iPad2,5" and "iPad2,6", they have not been seen before, but Arment concludes they are likely to be the long rumored 'iPad mini' which is based on iPad 2 hardware.

The much more likely explanation is that iPad2,5 and iPad2,6 are the new “iPad Mini” in Wi-Fi and GSM, and I haven’t recorded the likely iPad2,7 CDMA version yet.

If so, this suggests that the iPad Mini is, effectively, an iPad 2: an A5 with 512 MB of RAM and enough GPU power to drive the Gruber Display, but not a Retina Display.

It’s a textbook Tim Cook supply-chain move: selling the last generation’s hardware at a lower price point to expand marketshare.

By "Gruber Display", Arment refers to John Gruber's speculation that a iPad Mini made sense as a 7.85" display that shares the same resolution as the original iPad (1024x768). Arment goes into a little further depth in his blog post about his speculation on the internals of the iPad mini.

Apple is believed to be launching a smaller 7.85" iPad in the coming months. Rumors have suggested we'll see it launched as early as October.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

nagromme Avatar
152 months ago
But i frown upon 1024x768 because clearly you can see apple NOT pushing technology forward but going backwards. You want mass acceptance of 1024x768???

Technology isn’t just spec numbers on a list. Technology is what you can DO with something. So many companies are circling the drain because they don’t understand that.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
All Taken Avatar
152 months ago
The only way this will be popular enough is if the price point is $199. Please don't add $129 for LTE it's just apple's price gouging. I think $199 with LTE will just flatten the entire tablet market and apple will increase their domination.

WhenI mentioned this to be another 'garbage ipad' - i meant it figuratively because it does not bring anything innovative to the table. The iPad 2 is no weak sauce at all. Performance wise, it's still extremely solid performer. I just think if they can do $200 or lower with LTE, you are talking about crazy sales. I'd pick one up just for kicks because I can take it around much easier than my existing iPad 3.

But i frown upon 1024x768 because clearly you can see apple NOT pushing technology forward but going backwards. You want mass acceptance of 1024x768???

You want a 7.85" iPad with a higher than 1024x768 resolution, so retina screen and you want LTE, all for $199?!?!??

How about a smoke and a pancake too!

----------

Looking forward to having a play with one!

That's what she said!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anti-Lucifer Avatar
152 months ago
Apple has become the walmart of smartphones, tablets, and now mini-tablets.

I do not understand the appeal of a 1024x768 resolution tablet. Even at 7.85", it's merely 1.85" smaller than the iPad and if you look at the nexus 7, it has higher resolution than this ipad.

Unless they do something with the pixel density to make it look magical, it's just another garbage ipad. I like the the size but I do not like how apple recycles their components like this. There is nothing innovative at all.

Judging from the leaks on the iphone 2012, apple is on a downward trend of producing crap! I'm sorry but it seems after SJ has departed, apple is now run by bean counters in suits. I'm not surprised if jony ives decides to retire.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
152 months ago
Apple has become the walmart of smartphones, tablets, and now mini-tablets.

I do not understand the appeal of a 1024x768 resolution tablet. Even at 7.85", it's merely 1.85" smaller than the iPad and if you look at the nexus 7, it has higher resolution than this ipad.

Unless they do something with the pixel density to make it look magical, it's just another garbage ipad. I like the the size but I do not like how apple recycles their components like this. There is nothing innovative at all.

Judging from the leaks on the iphone 2012, apple is on a downward trend of producing crap! I'm sorry but it seems after SJ has departed, apple is now run by bean counters in suits. I'm not surprised if jony ives decides to retire.
A lower-end model (cheaper, more portable, but otherwise the same as the outstanding iPad 2) is not a “downward trend.” It’s just a lower-end model. To see a trend you’d have to see Apple also eliminate the high-end iPad 3. You’d also have to use this new iPad before you judged it on rumor alone.

1024x768 may be the best solution for this unit. If so, a retina display will come in time, as prices for it fall. (You don’t see any other 8” 2048x1536 devices out there either.)

And the Nexus does have higher DPI—a side effect of having a much smaller screen than an 8” iPad would have! And yet an iPad mini might (we’ll see) fit that big(-ish) screen into a unit not much larger than a Nexus. The Nexus would be all the bulk but none of the screen size or app selection.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anti-Lucifer Avatar
152 months ago
Powerbook G5?

I have a question about this iPad mini. Will developers have to re make applications to fit the new screen size or will iOS automatically scale them down to fit on the screen?

scale what down? it's 1024x768 it runs all the ipad apps natively.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Refurbished_ Avatar
152 months ago
Apple CLEARLY needs to reduce the size of the iPad. It's far from being ergonomic.

Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18 Apple Music Messages and Notes Feature 1

iOS 18 Rumored to Add New Features to These 16 Apps on Your iPhone

Tuesday April 30, 2024 10:44 am PDT by
Apple is expected to announce iOS 18 during its WWDC keynote on June 10, and new features have already been rumored for many apps, including Apple Music, Apple Maps, Calculator, Messages, Notes, Safari, and others. Below, we recap iOS 18 rumors on a per-app basis, based on reports from MacRumors, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, and others: Apple Maps: At least two new Apple Maps features are...
apple watch ipad demo 1

Check Out This Apple Watch iPad Demo Unit From 2014

Wednesday May 1, 2024 1:46 pm PDT by
With the 10th anniversary of the Apple Watch approaching, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at an interesting bit of Apple Watch history. After the Apple Watch was announced in 2014, and before it became available in 2015, Apple sent out custom Apple Watch iPad demo kiosks to retail stores. The Apple Watch and iPad units used for these devices were specially designed, had custom ...
maxresdefault

Will the New iPad Pro Really Have the M4 Chip?

Wednesday May 1, 2024 8:30 am PDT by
While Apple's upcoming iPad Pro models have been expected to feature the M3 chip for over a year, recent reports have unexpectedly suggested that the new devices will instead feature the as-yet-unannounced M4 chip. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Last week, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that he now believes there is a "strong possibility" that the upcoming iPad Pro ...
ios 17 5 repair state

iOS 17.5 Includes 'Repair State' Option That Doesn't Require Turning Off Find My for Service

Tuesday April 30, 2024 1:24 pm PDT by
With iOS 17.5, Apple is adding a "Repair State" feature that is designed to allow an iPhone to be sent in for service without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock. The fourth iOS 17.5 beta that came out today adds a "Remove This Device" option for all devices in Find My, and using it with an iPhone puts that iPhone into the new Repair State. Right now, sending an iPhone to Apple to be...
Apple CarPlay Dash

Report Examines GM's Controversial Move to Abandon Apple CarPlay

Wednesday May 1, 2024 4:53 am PDT by
An in-depth Bloomberg report today resurfaced General Motors' decision to replace Apple CarPlay with its own software. Last year, GM announced that it planned to forgo Apple CarPlay in its new electric vehicles, starting with the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV. Instead, the automaker introduced a proprietary infotainment platform, aiming to control and customize the digital experience within its...
Airpods Pro 2 Discount Feature Triad

Amazon's New Apple Sale Has Best-Ever Prices on AirPods Pro, Studio Display, Apple Pencil, and More

Tuesday April 30, 2024 7:31 am PDT by
Amazon today kicked off numerous discounts across multiple Apple products and accessories, the highlight being the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C for $179.99, down from $249.00. You'll also find deals on the Apple Pencil 2, AirTags, and Studio Display. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces 'Let Loose' Event on May 7 Amid Rumors of New iPads

Tuesday April 23, 2024 7:11 am PDT by
Apple has announced it will be holding a special event on Tuesday, May 7 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (10 a.m. Eastern Time), with a live stream to be available on Apple.com and on YouTube as usual. The event invitation has a tagline of "Let Loose" and shows an artistic render of an Apple Pencil, suggesting that iPads will be a focus of the event. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...