Analyst Speculates Apple Could Drop iPad 2 for 'iPad Mini'

AppleInsider reports on a research note from Evercore Partners analyst Robert Cihra, who suggests that Apple may discontinue the iPad 2 alongside the launch of the "iPad mini" next week in an effort to keep the company's product lineup from expanding too much.

Rob Cihra with Evercore Partners said in a note to investors this week that he sees Apple phasing out the current iPad 2, because Apple's overall vision calls for "clearer product tiers." The prediction comes as Apple is expected to lower the barrier to entry of its iPad lineup by unveiling a new, smaller iPad next Tuesday.

In a similar strategy to that used for the iPhone, Apple has continued to offer the iPad 2 since the launch of the third-generation iPad earlier this year, offering consumers a $399 entry point for its tablet family. With the introduction of the iPad mini, Apple will be able to offer the tablet experience at even lower pricing, albeit with a smaller screen, lessening the need for the company to continue offering the iPad 2.

The claim appears to be based entirely on speculation and we have heard no specific word of Apple planning to discontinue the iPad 2, so we are treating the report with skepticism unless additional information surfaces.

Tags: Evercore, Robert Cihra

Top Rated Comments

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Caliber26

85 months ago

It saddens me to think that these "analysts" are getting paid for their wild, unfounded speculation.

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This makes a lot of sense and would eliminate the questions of pricing and where the mini would fit?

Woot! First Post. :-)

I'm sorry, but this isn't PerezHilton.

Rating: 7 Votes

Ktulu

85 months ago

Makes Sense

This makes a lot of sense and would eliminate the questions of pricing and where the mini would fit?

Woot! First Post. :-)

Rating: 4 Votes

d0vr

85 months ago

Nah, really?
Imma become an analyst...

Rating: 4 Votes

FloatingBones

85 months ago

Phasing out the 20-pin connectors

This makes sense for another reason: if Apple does a refresh to the iPad 3 to go to the Lightning connector, then only the iPad 2 would have the 30-pin connector. Apple likes nice sleek product lines where accessories should work with all products; cutting off the iPad 2 is the simple way to eliminate the last of the 30-pin connector devices.

Rating: 4 Votes

cyberspread

85 months ago

iPad Mini should be 299.00

If the iPad mini doesn't start at 299.00, I will be disappointed. I would like to see it even less so we see more people adopt the platform.

Rating: 2 Votes

FieldingMellish

85 months ago

Apple can lower the barrier further by offering a small chalkboard styled to look like an iPad and sell it for around $35.00.

Rating: 2 Votes

pradeepgj

85 months ago

If the iPad mini doesn't start at 299.00, I will be disappointed. I would like to see it even less so we see more people adopt the platform.

The 16GB ipod touch starts at 299. If they price the ipad mini at the same price, then the ipod touch sales would be hit hard. I know that they are different form factors, but any one who has money for just one of those, will prefer a ipad mini for a ipod touch.

Since ipod touch is already selling for 299, I would say 349 as the starting price for the mini.

And btw, apple is a greedy company. I dont see them giving up on price so easily.

Rating: 2 Votes

rbkruspe

85 months ago

The last? They still sell have the iPhone 4S.

Rating: 2 Votes

gnasher729

85 months ago

I find this speculation very unlikely to come true.

7 inch vs. 10 inch is a matter of preference / usage. 7 inch has a huge advantage and a huge disadvantage: The advantage is that it is a lot smaller. The disadvantage is that it is a lot smaller. Most people who were going to buy the iPad 2 are not going to buy a 7 inch iPad, and they will not want to spend $100 more for the iPad 3.

dream on, but sonner or later they might just merge OSX and iOS together so 27" mobile imac in 10 years or so, who knows. (Well the people who know the long term roadmaps know, but they are not going to tell us, are they?)

People with common sense know this is not going to happen. There will be more and more common code, but a user interface that works fine on a tablet is rubbish for a desktop with two monitors and vice versa. Unfortunately for Microsoft and its customers, they haven't figured that quite out yet :-)

If anything Apple should expand with a iPadMax (a maxipad) that would be even larger, say 17" or so which could be hung on the wall as a picture, used as a desktop computer (with full MacOS integration) with a keyboard, etc.

Something hanging on the wall would have to be much bigger; 40 inch upwards. And you can buy that already: Get any large TV with wall mount and a Mac Mini.

Rating: 1 Votes

visim91

85 months ago

What a retarded analyst.

Rating: 1 Votes

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