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Next iPad Mini to Have Retina Display?

Thursday December 13, 2012 7:03 pm PST by Juli Clover
While critics loved the iPad mini, the biggest complaint concerned the device's screen, which does not have a Retina resolution like Apple's larger iPad.

Retina seems like a logical update for Apple’s second generation iPad mini, and a report from Digitimes today says that Apple is indeed planning to increase the resolution of its next iPad mini.
Apple's next-generation iPad mini will focus mostly on enhancing the device’s display resolution, according to Taiwan-based backlighting industry sources.

The sources have yet to specify whether the device will use Apple’s Retina Display technology to enhanced resolution, but market observers said it is highly likely based on the development of past Apple products such as the iPhone and 9.7-inch iPad series.
Adding a Retina display to a device as thin as the iPad mini could be a tricky prospect, possibly requiring a large battery and a more robust processor, as it did when Apple introduced the Retina display to the full-sized iPad. This restriction has led notable technology site AnandTech to predict that the next iPad mini won't come with a Retina display, as stated in the site's iPad mini review.

Digitimes adds that the next generation 9.7-inch iPad will be lighter due to new LED light bar technology that will incorporate just one light bar instead of the two that are currently in the third and fourth generation iPads. While Digitimes has had a mixed record in the past, it's clear that they do have sources in Apple's supply chain.
[ 324 comments ]


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TheSpeaker
74 months ago
You're kidding. no...really!? When did MacRumors hire Captain Obvious as a source?
Rating: 51 Votes
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saud0488
74 months ago
A lack of one still hasn't bothered me. If anything it's better w/o one since it doesn't drain a gigantic battery which would take an eternity to charge. A la iPad 3/4
Rating: 25 Votes
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irDigital0l
74 months ago
Even though its DigitTimes...

How could the iPad mini not have a retina display? Its literally the only it needs to become an amazing device.
Rating: 22 Votes
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fdv
74 months ago
While it's obvious that everybody wants this to happen, and I'm sure it will happen eventually, I tend to agree with Anandtech. I think if it were feesable to add a retina display within the next year, Apple would have just done it with the original iPad Mini. I expect it will take a couple of years to develop a high res display for the Mini without compromising on its excellent weight and thickness.

Maybe I'm being naive, and it's possible to make one now, and Apple just released a low-res version first so people would shell out more money on the next one, but part of me still likes to think that Apple like making good products, and they would have done it already if it was possible.
Rating: 18 Votes
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PrayForDeath
74 months ago

Why are these rumors coming out now already? Way to put a damper on those holiday sales.


It's a rumors site, deal with it.
Rating: 14 Votes
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Yamcha
74 months ago
I think we all know the next iPad Mini will have a Retina display..
Rating: 10 Votes
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canucksfan88
74 months ago
apple marketing and businesses strategy at its finest.

(revision A) introduce a "revolutionary" new iPad mini and let people rave about it while omitting a screen that should have been standard

(revision B) announce a beautiful and even better than before iPad mini with a gorgeous retina high resolution display that is genius engineering ...which should have been on revA
Rating: 9 Votes
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ECUpirate44
74 months ago
Digitimes had this article written the day the iPad Mini was announced :p.
Rating: 9 Votes
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mantan
74 months ago

apple marketing and businesses strategy at its finest.

(revision A) introduce a "revolutionary" new iPad mini and let people rave about it while omitting a screen that should have been standard

(revision B) announce a beautiful and even better than before iPad mini with a gorgeous retina high resolution display that is genius engineering ...which should have been on revA


And the same people who are saying 'it's not that bad, I don't even notice it' will suddenly rave about how 'amazing' the Retina version is.

Just like they a lot of folks around here mocked the idea of a smaller tablet and now say 'it's the perfect size'.....
Rating: 9 Votes
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Confuzzzed
74 months ago

HAHAHAHA

Someone with time to kill should search those quotes up. So many saying how there was no point to a mini and not they are raving about them.

Same thing will be said when the iphone gets a wider screen.


No ****, Digitimes Holmes.


What a shocking news story!!!!!!1


No way, really?


Most predictable rumor ever. I'll buy one.


lol


Of course. :cool:



You're kidding. no...really!? When did MacRumors hire Captain Obvious as a source?


No ****.



Where's Captain Obvious when you need him?




Can we have the downvote button back please? Why do people want to state the obvious so much, how about a discussion on the technical merits and/or obstacles to such a product being launched. Or information about new technologies which may make this possible. Or how developers may have to alter their programming to deal with the extra pixels. Or anything on the market. Come on people.
Rating: 9 Votes

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