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 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Report: Apple to Launch These New Products in 2026

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:34 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch at least 15 new products in 2026, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman outlined what to expect from Apple in 2026 in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter. He said the company is heading "into one of its most pivotal years in recent memory," with the rollout of major new Apple Intelligence features, intense regulatory pressure on the App Store,...
Apple Foldable Thumb

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Ove...
Apple Intelligence General Feature 2

New Version of Siri to 'Lean' on Google Gemini

Sunday November 2, 2025 6:06 am PST by
In his "Power On" newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today provided an update on the status of Apple Intelligence and the plans for it in 2026. Apple is still planning to roll out its revamped version of Siri around March of next year. The release should be accompanied by the release of a new smart home display product with speaker-base and wall-mount options. A new Apple TV and HomePod...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Likely Launching Soon

Sunday November 2, 2025 5:49 am PST by
A new Apple TV and HomePod mini could launch as soon as this month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today suggested. In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple retail stores are planning an overnight refresh on the evening of November 11, where changes will be made after closing, such as refreshing displays and placing new products for the following day. The timing of the overnight...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Available Tomorrow With These 8 New Features

Sunday November 2, 2025 11:50 am PST by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 26.1 this Monday, November 3. The update includes a handful of new features and changes, including the ability to adjust the look of Liquid Glass and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Liquid Glass Toggle iOS 26.1 lets you choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass. In the Settings app,...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...

Top Rated Comments

Patriot24 Avatar
160 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
160 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
emon878 Avatar
160 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?

Well this site is rumors site ....
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Santabean2000 Avatar
160 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
160 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
160 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)