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7-Inch iPad with Retina Display Coming in October Priced at $200-$250?

Thursday May 10, 2012 12:11 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
iMore reports that Apple is "currently targeting" an October launch for a smaller iPad, with the device carrying a display of roughly 7 inches and being priced in the $200-$250 range.
According to our source, which has proven reliable in the past, the reason for such aggressive pricing is to do to the tablet market what Apple did to the MP3 market in 2004 with the expansion of the iPod product line -- leave absolutely no space for competitors.
Interestingly, the report's source claims that the 7-inch iPad will be "identical in every way" to the current iPad with the exception of the display size, apparently including a Retina display. That would give the smaller iPad a pixel density roughly identical to that of the iPhone 4S.

It remains unclear how Apple would be able to meet a $200-$250 price point for the smaller iPad given the apparent specs, although the device will reportedly come with only 8 GB of storage. Still Apple's current iPod touch starts at $199 and this smaller iPad will undoubtedly carry significantly higher component costs.


Mockup of 7.85-inch "iPad mini" next to iPad 2 (courtesy of CiccareseDesign)

Reports of a smaller iPad have been circulating ever since the launch of the original iPad, enhanced in recent months by perceived competition from Amazon's $199 Kindle Fire. The sheer number of rumors suggest that Apple has at least been working on such a device, and reports of a planned launch for later this year have been increasing. Most observers have, however, believed that the device would carry a non-Retina display in order to allow Apple to meet lower pricing targets.

iMore has been rather accurate with its recent iOS device rumors, correctly pinpointing the third-generation iPad launch event date back in February and backing claims of LTE compatibility for the device ahead of its launch.

The site has since offered claims of a smaller dock connector for the next-generation iPhone, an idea which has been gaining traction with other rumors. The site has also issued claims of a fall (likely October) launch of an LTE iPhone anticipated to carry the same 3.5-inch display size seen in all iPhone models to date.

Related Roundup: iPad mini 5
Tag: imore.com
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
[ 257 comments ]


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Feed Me
88 months ago
Stop posting this article every day.
Rating: 59 Votes
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mikeo007
88 months ago
Apple changing their strategy to become a loss leader in a market that they already dominate? Seems legit...

Rating: 47 Votes
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gorskiegangsta
88 months ago
A tablet with that kind of display for $200-250? Forgive me for being skeptical.
Rating: 43 Votes
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Fuchal
88 months ago
8GB of storage is a mistake with the size of these retina iPad apps.
Rating: 40 Votes
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MacDawg
88 months ago
Still have my doubts
I can't see Apple pricing at that point
And while there may be a market, it doesn't really make sense to compete against itself
Rating: 30 Votes
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gglockner
88 months ago
No way. They would have to seriously drop the price of the iPod Touch.

My guess is that an updated iPod Touch is coming in October at this price point.
Rating: 23 Votes
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Rogifan
88 months ago
Here's my prediction: the iPod Touch will be refreshed this fall and will have a bigger screen size.
Rating: 19 Votes
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MrPhineas
88 months ago
Why racking your brain that much, Apple? I just want a Mac Pro refresh!
Rating: 15 Votes
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kcamfork
88 months ago
I call their bluff. Apple wouldn't be happy with such slim profit margins. And I'm sure people would be happy to pay $299 for a 7 inch iPad 2.
Rating: 9 Votes
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pacalis
88 months ago
This wouldn't be the first time an industry leader takes on a low-end strategy to avoid low-cost disruption. It's why Intel released the celeron chip.

Makes perfect sense to me.
Rating: 8 Votes

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