Next iPad Mini Likely to Have Retina Display, Possibly Multiple Colors of Back Covers

Apple's suppliers are preparing the next generation iPad mini for mass production and it will "likely feature a high-resolution screen from Samsung" according to The Wall Street Journal, contradicting a report from earlier today that claimed the next iPad mini would not have a Retina display.

The piece also claims that Apple is considering offering multiple colors of back covers for the device, possibly complimenting the rumored lower-cost iPhone which is expected to have plastic back covers in a number of colors.

Apple is working with suppliers in Asia on its next iPad mini with a high-resolution "retina" display, unlike the current iPad mini that comes with a lower-resolution screen, the people said. The size of the new tablet will likely be the same as the current 7.9-inch model, which was released in November last year. Apple has also been contemplating multiple color back covers for the new tablet, they said.

Apple plans to use screens from not only Samsung, but LG and Sharp as well. According to the New York-based financial newspaper, Apple initially planned to use LG and Sharp but decided to add Samsung to the mix in order to ensure an "adequate supply of screens." The current iPad mini uses displays from both Sharp and Taiwan's AU Optronics.

ipadmini.jpg
The paper does warn that Apple routinely tests various designs and has been known to make changes late in the design process, and there is no mention of a potential release date. It notes that Apple is more likely to add Retina after the announcement of Google's new high-resolution Nexus 7.

Earlier today, evidence surfaced in the iOS 7 beta that a non-Retina, A6-powered iPad mini was in development, while a number of analyst reports have gone back and forth on whether the next iPad mini would include a Retina display.

Popular Stories

iOS 26 on iPhone Feature

Here's When iOS 26 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: Out Now!]

Monday September 15, 2025 12:00 am PDT by
Update 10:06 a.m.: iOS 26 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Today's the day! Apple is about to release iOS 26, which will deliver the biggest redesign since iOS 7 and bring a range of new features and improvements to iPhones worldwide. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at last week's iPhone event that...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple Reportedly Plans to Launch These 10 Products in 'Coming Months'

Sunday September 14, 2025 8:45 am PDT by
Apple's annual September event is now in the rearview mirror, with the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Air, Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and AirPods Pro 3 set to launch this Friday, September 19. As always, there is more to come. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple plans to release many products in the...
iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

Apple Says Installing iOS 26 Might Impact Battery Life

Monday September 15, 2025 10:56 am PDT by
In the iOS 26 release notes, Apple is warning iPhone users that installing the new software might have a temporary impact on battery life, which is normal. A new support document explains that major iOS updates require background setup like indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps. Further, Apple says that new features could require more resources,...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 Get iOS 26 Features With New Firmware Update

Monday September 15, 2025 10:50 am PDT by
Apple today released updated firmware for the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4, introducing support for the new AirPods features that are included in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. The firmware has a build number of 8A356, and it replaces the current 7E93 firmware. With Apple's new software updates, the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 support better audio quality for phone calls and...
iphone 17 lineup

iPhone 17 Models Launch on September 19 With These New Features

Friday September 12, 2025 7:58 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 lineup and ultra-thin iPhone Air in stores on Friday, September 19, and the company has already shown off the new devices at its fall event, which ran with the the tagline "Awe dropping." The iPhone 17 series brings a host of new features and enhancements. Here's a rundown of the biggest upgrades and changes: iPhone 17 Display Changes The iPhone...
apple n1 chip

Apple's New N1 Chip in iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone Air Has a Wi-Fi 7 Limitation

Saturday September 13, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
The latest iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air models are equipped with Apple's all-new N1 chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread connectivity. However, the chip has a Wi-Fi 7 bandwidth limitation. According to FCC documents reviewed by MacRumors, the N1 chip in all of the new iPhone models supports up to 160 MHz channel bandwidth for Wi-Fi 7, short of the...
iPhone 17 Pro Air Boxes

iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Boxes Revealed

Sunday September 14, 2025 1:36 pm PDT by
T-Mobile President Jon Freier today shared real-world photos of Apple's boxes for the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 models, which launch on Friday. Image Credit: Jon Freier Apple has typically included iPhone box renders in its product environmental reports, but it did not do so for the latest models. However, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program page does offer some images of the boxes, ...

Top Rated Comments

Patriot24 Avatar
158 months ago
I guess one thing we all know for sure is that no one knows jack except Apple

When WSJ says, "people familiar with the matter", that means "Apple".

This is a clear message from Apple to kill the rumors started today that the next Mini would not have retina. They don't want people rushing out to buy Nexus 7 thinking retina isn't coming.
Score: 50 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A Hebrew Avatar
158 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
emon878 Avatar
158 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?

Well this site is rumors site ....
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Santabean2000 Avatar
158 months ago
Hope Apple aren't getting too greedy here. Retina seems fairly much a given standard these days.

Another non-Retina model would be a tough sell.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kbt1020 Avatar
158 months ago
I guess one thing we all know for sure is that no one knows jack except Apple
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CmdrLaForge Avatar
158 months ago
When WSJ says, "people familiar with the matter", that means "Apple".

This is a clear message from Apple to kill the rumors started today that the next Mini would not have retina. They don't want people rushing out to buy Nexus 7 thinking retina isn't coming.

Yep. Nailed it. WSJ always means a message from Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)