Apple Reportedly Prepping for September Launch of New iPad, but iPad Mini Still in Flux

Digitimes reports that Apple has finalized plans for its fifth-generation iPad, targeting a September launch for the redesigned device that is rumored to be taking design cues from the iPad mini with narrower side bezels and a thinner body.

Since upstream suppliers have mostly finished preparing for the production of the new 9.7-inch iPad, there is unlikely to be any changes in terms of specifications for the device. [...]

Although suppliers have not yet received a firm mass production schedule from Apple and are mainly shipping products for pilot production, the sources pointed out that pilot production is already able to satisfy demand for the initial launch. Therefore, the sources expect Apple to give its shipment estimates at the end of July or early August.

The report indicates, however, that plans for the next-generation iPad mini remain unsettled, with Apple still working to incorporate a Retina display into the device. If the company does elect to bring a Retina display to its next iPad mini, the device could see a launch very late this year. The report also indicates that Apple has been pushing to reduce the width of the iPad mini's side bezels even further.

ipad_5_mini_ciccarese

Mockup of fifth-generation iPad next to iPad mini

Today's claims are very similar to ones made in an early June report from Digitimes indicating updated iPad and iPad mini models may not appear simultaneously, with the iPad mini trailing the iPad by several months.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has also indicated that issues related to a Retina display were likely to result in a later-than-expected launch for the next iPad mini. Kuo's modeling back in April had estimated that the device could be updated some time in the September-November timeframe, while he believed that the full-size iPad would see shipments ramping in August or September.

Analysts at NPD DisplaySearch have also been expressing uncertainty about Apple's plans for its second-generation iPad mini, with their most recent report last month indicating that they expect Apple to launch a thinner non-Retina iPad mini late this year, with a Retina update coming relatively soon after in early 2014.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro's alleged design via Front Page Tech Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive a New Perk

Thursday March 20, 2025 12:01 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, Apple has a new perk for you, at no additional cost. The new perk is the ability to create invitations in the Apple Invites app for the iPhone, which launched in the App Store last month. In the Apple Invites app, iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations for any occasion, such as birthday parties, graduations, baby showers, and more. Anyone ...
Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock

iOS 19 Coming in June With These New Features

Thursday March 20, 2025 2:04 pm PDT by
While the first iOS 19 beta is still more than two months away, there are already plenty of rumors about the upcoming software update. Below, we recap the key iOS 19 rumors so far. visionOS-Like Design In January, the YouTube channel Front Page Tech revealed a redesigned Camera app that is allegedly planned for iOS 19. According to Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser, the Camera app...
iOS 18

Top 5 New Features Coming in iOS 18.4

Friday March 21, 2025 3:26 pm PDT by
We're not getting new Siri Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.4 as expected, but the upcoming update does have quite a few new additions that will be worth upgrading for. We've rounded up the five best features to look forward to, and if you're not running the beta, you can expect to get access to these in early April. Priority Notifications If you have an iPhone or iPad that supports...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Launch Now Just Months Away: Here's What We Know

Tuesday March 18, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as excellent for...
Windows Vista

Apple Might Be Having Its Windows Vista Moment, Says Analyst

Thursday March 20, 2025 6:52 am PDT by
Is Apple experiencing a "Vista-like drift into systemically poor execution?" That was a question posed by well-known technology analyst Benedict Evans, in a recent blog post covering Apple's innovation and execution, or seemingly lack thereof as of late. He is referring to Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, which was widely criticized when it launched in 2007 due to software bugs,...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Iridescent Search

Foldable iPhone Expected to Launch Next Year, Costing Around $2,000

Monday March 24, 2025 3:43 am PDT by
Apple will launch its long-rumored foldable iPhone next year with a ~$2,000 premium price tag attached, expects well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Gurman's comments on Apple's launch plans for its first foldable device appeared in the Q&A section of his latest Power On newsletter. Earlier this month, the reporter said Apple's foldable iPhone could be arriving "as early as 2026,"...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Seeds iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 Release Candidate With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music and More

Monday March 24, 2025 10:07 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth betas. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update. With iOS 18.4, Apple is adding the Priority Notifications...

Top Rated Comments

locoboi187 Avatar
153 months ago
I want that smaller bezel. I need that smaller bezel!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
153 months ago
I stopped reading after Digitimes reports...:rolleyes:
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fertilized-egg Avatar
153 months ago
Oh man, this is so much fun! We should've had a lot of new iPads by now.

Next-Generation iPad and iPad Mini Rumored for March Launch (https://www.macrumors.com/2013/01/11/next-generation-ipad-and-ipad-mini-rumored-for-march-launch/)

Apple iPad 5 Rumors: Release Date Coming In April With Redesigned Features And Specs? (http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-ipad-5-rumors-release-date-coming-april-redesigned-features-specs-1174581)

iPad 5 Leak Points to June Release (http://www.forbes.com/sites/benzingainsights/2013/02/25/ipad-5-leak-points-to-june-release/)

Apple iPad Mini 2 Scheduled for July 2013 Release Date with New iOS 7 Multitasking Features? (http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/469867/20130522/apple-ipad-mini-2-scheduled-july-2013.htm#.UdrOzEG1FrZ)

Rumor: Low-cost iPhone, new iPad mini coming in August, but no 'iPhone 5S' until 2014 (http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/06/14/rumor-low-cost-iphone-new-ipad-mini-coming-in-august-but-no-iphone-5s-until-2014)

And now this article.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seecoolguy Avatar
153 months ago
after trying out the HTC One, I keep wondering why Apple never incorporated a front facing speaker? makes video watching that much more fun as you don't have to turn up the volume so high, and no need to cup your hand over the edge of the device. wonder when this will come to the iDevice?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WilliamLondon Avatar
153 months ago
128GB for a decent price, would be nice!

I think 128GB will be the new 64GB version in the new model, and they'll drop the 16GB version in the full sized retina iPad (perhaps still offer it in an iPad 2 if they still offer the non-retina option). This will in the minds of consumers create additional value in the flagship iPad, which is more expensive, in that it'll have the larger size with more screen real estate (a thin beautiful mini-type chassis), plus it'll come standard with 32GB and offer 64GB and 128GB options, where the mini will continue to offer storage in 16/32/64GB sizes.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
appleisking Avatar
153 months ago
Unlikely to be any changes in the specs? How is that possible?

----------

Why? You think the mini size is better? I mean besides the cost, which is a clear advantage - why would I want a mini?

Cheers
LaForge

It's more portable. I'd rather carry the mini along everywhere as opposed to the ipad.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)