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

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST 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 concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
airpods pro 2 botw

Hearing a Mysterious Chime From Your AirPods Pro Case? It's a Feature

Thursday January 9, 2025 3:42 pm PST by
If you've been hearing a chiming sound from your AirPods Pro 2 case when the AirPods are charging, it's a feature that Apple added with the launch of Hearing Health last year. In a support guide, Apple says that the AirPods Pro may play a sound every so often while in the case to ensure the microphones and speakers are working as intended. From Apple: To help ensure that your AirPods...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

New Apple TV and HomePod Mini Launching This Year With One Thing in Common

Wednesday January 8, 2025 6:18 am PST by
It was recently reported that new Apple TV and new HomePod mini models will launch this year, and the devices are expected to have one thing in common. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman last month reported that the new Apple TV and the new HomePod mini will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. Gurman said the chip supports Wi-Fi 6E, so that could end up being a key upgrade...
M6 MacBook Pro Feature 1

5 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's MacBook Pro

Wednesday January 8, 2025 6:33 am PST by
Apple in October 2024 overhauled its 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, adding M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips, Thunderbolt 5 ports on higher-end models, display changes, and more. That's quite a lot of updates in one go, but if you think this means a further major refresh for the MacBook Pro is now several years away, think again. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said he expects only a small...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Main Camera Sensor 'Smaller' Than iPhone 16 Pro Sensor

Friday January 10, 2025 3:14 am PST by
This year's iPhone 17 Pro models will feature a smaller main camera sensor than the one used in the Fusion camera currently found in iPhone 16 Pro models, according to Weibo-based leaker Digital Chat Station. The Chinese leaker claims that Apple will adopt a 1/1.3" sensor for the 48MP main camera in the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, down from the 1/1.28" sensor used in the iPhone 16...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

New iPhone SE and iPad 11 Launch Timing Allegedly Revealed by Leaker

Tuesday January 7, 2025 11:12 am PST by
A new iPhone SE and an iPad 11 might be coming very soon. In late December, a private account on X with a track record of leaking accurate iOS-related information said devices codenamed "V59" and "J481" will be released alongside iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has previously reported that "V59" is a new iPhone SE, and that "J481" is a new entry-level iPad. iOS 15.3, iOS ...
airpods 4 blue

Apple's Student Offer With Free AirPods Returns in These Four Countries

Thursday January 9, 2025 7:18 am PST by
Apple's annual "Back to School" or "Back to Uni" promotion has returned this week in Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Korea. From January 8 through March 13, qualifying higher-education students and staff in these countries can receive free AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation with the purchase of any new MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or iMac, or a free Apple Pencil Pro or Apple...
se 4 for 2025

When to Expect the iPhone SE 4 or So-Called 'iPhone 16E' to Launch

Friday January 10, 2025 9:20 am PST by
Apple is widely rumored to be planning a new iPhone SE, and multiple sources lately have commented on the device's launch timing. The latest word comes from Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a blog post today, he said the device will be released around the middle of the first half of 2025. In other words, around the quarter mark of 2025. That means the next iPhone SE will likely be ...

Top Rated Comments

Patriot24 Avatar
149 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
149 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
emon878 Avatar
149 months ago
Are these guesses really worth being posted?

Well this site is rumors site ....
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Santabean2000 Avatar
149 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
149 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
149 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)