'Almost Bezel-Free' Redesign for iPad Mini Coming, but Still No Retina Until Early 2014?
In the wake of continuing reports suggesting that Apple's Retina iPad mini may not be ready to launch until early next year, Digitimes has now added its thoughts on the matter, claiming that Apple will be releasing a slightly redesigned non-Retina iPad mini later this year before launching the Retina iPad mini early next year.
According to the report, the Retina iPad mini will see an "almost bezel-free" design, presumably referring to the sides of the device, which are already fairly narrow. The report is somewhat confusing about just what aspects of the redesign will appear when, also mentioning a lighter and thinner design for the new non-Retina model later this year.
Apple is reportedly aiming to use Retina panel technology equipped with 2,048 by 1,536 resolution in the next generation 7.9-inch iPad mini. Apple is also said to be revising the design of the chassis to give the next-generation iPad mini an almost bezel-free look.
While the new iPad mini may not be availabe during the year-end shopping season, Apple reportedly may first release a slightly updated version of the current iPad mini in the second half of 2013, which is expected to be lighter, thinner and equipped with improved specifications, the sources said.
Digitimes' report is very similar to claims from NPD DisplaySearch analysts, who have flip-flopped several times but now point to a thinner non-Retina iPad mini arriving later this year and a Retina iPad mini following in early 2014.
Today's report also reiterates claims that Apple's fifth-generation iPad is on its way with a thinner and lighter design inspired by the iPad mini. Apple's supply chain is reportedly beginning small-scale production on the new iPad this month, ramping up through October.
Popular Stories
The iPad will no longer be able to be used as a home hub following the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and the HomePod 16 software this fall, Apple confirmed today.
As discovered in iOS 16 code by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, Apple says that the iPad will no longer be supported as a home hub. This information will be displayed in the Home app after updating to iOS 16.A home ...
CEO Tim Cook this week did an interview with China Daily, where he once again commented on on the future of augmented reality and hinted at Apple's work on an AR/VR headset. Render via designer Ian Zelbo Cook said that Apple is excited about the opportunities available with augmented reality, which is not too far off from prior comments that he's made, but he went on to say that people should ...
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to developers for testing purposes, and the new betas introduce new features and refine some of the changes that Apple made with the first iOS 16 release.
Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Lock Screen Photo Wallpaper Customization
When customizing a photo on the Lock Screen, there are two new DuoTone and...
Since the release of iOS 14.2 in 2020, the iPhone has included a built-in Music Recognition feature in Control Center powered by Shazam. And with iOS 16, and also the iOS 15.6 beta, the feature has received a small but useful upgrade.
As noted by Twitter user @someone_andrew, songs identified with Music Recognition in Control Center finally sync with the Shazam app.
It also remains...
Apple today launched its annual "Back to School" promotion for college/university students in the United States and Canada. This year's promotion offers a free Apple gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year. Apple is also offering students 20% off AppleCare+ plans during the promotion.
Apple is offering a $150 gift card with the purchase ...
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple unveiled the new software at WWDC and released the initial betas.
Registered developers can download the iOS and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air. Given...
Apple is "likely" to announce its long-rumored mixed-reality headset as soon as January 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reiterated.
Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo In a detailed post on Medium, Kuo explained that Apple's headset will be a "game-changer" for the augmented-reality and virtual-reality market. Describing some of the headset's...
Top Rated Comments
Apple wants to actually sell their new flagship, redesigned, drool-worthy iPad 5.
iPad mini will get spec-bumped along the iPad 5 release, but thats it.
Not that it makes any difference. 99% of iPad mini buyers are buying based on 1) Price, 2) Size. Most of them have no idea what 'Retina Display' even refers to.
That's not an insult, it is a market reality. As much as I personally would like a 7" Retina iPad....makes no difference.
As my next iPad I'd actually rather buy a 12" version (Apple can leave the 2048x1536 resolution, PPI will still be very good). Why couldn't Apple have 3 sizes? 8", 10" and 12" (all 3 with the same 2048-by-1536 resolution, not to complicate apps).