A new set of images that appear to show the rear shell for the rumored second-generation iPad mini have been posted by Sonny Dickson. Although no additional information was posted alongside the pictures, it unsurprisingly appears that the new iPad mini will have a form factor almost identical to the present model, confirming previous rumors that the upgrade will be mainly incremental in nature with the potential exception of a new Retina display.

ipad_mini_2_cellular_shell_1
The shell displays no information apart from the embedded Apple logo, which differs from the current model where the logo is printed directly onto the exterior of the case. The images are very similar to ones that leaked in early August, but it appears that the logo shown here may actually be silver instead what was thought to be black on the original photo set. Given the mirrored finish of the Apple logo on the iPad mini, it may appear silver or black from various viewing angles.

ipad_mini_2_cellular_shell_2
The new photos also unsurprisingly indicate that the second-generation iPad mini will be available in both Wi-Fi and cellular models, as this particular part includes the plastic strip at the top where the cellular antenna is housed.

ipad_mini_2_cellular_shell_3
The second-generation iPad mini is expected to feature a Retina display and launch during the fourth quarter of this year. Apple is also expected to release an updated full-size iPad around the same time, with the new iPad taking design cues from the iPad mini by including narrower side bezels and a thinner, more rounded shell.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

markintosh Avatar
149 months ago
why is that looking like plastic:(, i'm worried. i hope it offers the retina display this time.

Um, the plastic look probably has something to do with the plastic wrap the shell is in...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smulji Avatar
149 months ago
Have you thought that Retina isn't feasible right now?

Tell that to the 2nd generation Nexus 7.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robertpetry Avatar
149 months ago
Tell that to the 2nd generation Nexus 7.
Apples and oranges (no pun intended).

Apple needs to make 15-20 times as many Mini's as Google does the Nexus 7. As a matter of fact, Apple will need more launch week Mini's than Google will EVER make of the Nexus 7 (or at least for the first 4-6 months of the Nexus lifecycle).

You do not understand the issues surrounding the quantity Apple needs. There is no comparison.

It will be retina - and a higher density than the Nexus, but give them a break for not doing it sooner.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Battlefield Fan Avatar
149 months ago
Have you thought that Retina isn't feasible right now?

"According to BrightWire, AU Optronics is manufacturing a 7.9in screen with a resolution of 2,048x1,536."

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/tablet-pcs/1297756/ipad-mini-2-specs-price-features-news-rumours (http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/tablet-pcs/1297756/ipad-mini-2-specs-price-features-news-rumours)

What was that?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lewdvig Avatar
149 months ago
I like the idea of having a faster SOC and retina screen, but I love the current mini's crazy battery life and super fast charging. I think you would lose some of the battery life and unless it comes witha 20 watt charger probably the fast charging too.

For $275 (the price for a new 16 GB here in Canada at Futureshop ($300-$25 if you checkout with Paypal, free shipping) I think the 1st gen is pretty good. I was going to buy the new N7 but for $50 more I think Apple's value proposition is better.

IMO the app store and compatibility with iTunes content I have makes the mini a better deal even for more money and lower specs.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigBeast Avatar
149 months ago
Retina or die.

See you at the funeral.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Will Include These New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday February 5, 2025 7:15 am PST by
iOS 18.3 was released last month, so the first iOS 18.4 beta should be coming soon. iOS 18.4 is expected to be a more substantial update for the iPhone, with several new features and changes related to Apple Intelligence and beyond. Apple's website suggests that iOS 18.4 will be released in April, following beta testing. Below, we outline what to expect from the update so far. Apple...
General Apple Invites Feature

Apple Launches New 'Invites' App

Tuesday February 4, 2025 8:00 am PST by
Apple today announced the launch of a new app called "Invites," which is designed to allow users to plan events like birthday parties, graduations, vacations, baby showers, and more. "With Apple Invites, an event comes to life from the moment the invitation is created, and users can share lasting memories even after they get together," said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple's senior director of...
App Store vs EU Feature 2

Apple Says It Doesn't Approve of EU Porn App

Monday February 3, 2025 1:15 pm PST by
Apple does not approve of the "Hot Tub" pornography app that was released for the iPhone in the EU using alternative app distribution, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. Further, Apple is concerned about the potential user safety risks with a pornography app, and says that it undermines consumer trust in the Apple ecosystem. We are deeply concerned about the safety risks that hardcore...
maxresdefault

An Apple TV Refresh is Coming in 2025 - Here's What You Should Know

Wednesday February 5, 2025 10:17 am PST by
Apple hasn't refreshed the Apple TV since 2022, but rumors suggest that we're finally going to get an update in 2025. We don't have a full picture of what to expect yet, but we have some hints on what's coming. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Updated A-Series Chip The current Apple TV 4K uses the A15 Bionic chip that was in the iPhone 13 lineup, and it's time for...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Raises Monthly AppleCare+ Subscription Price for All iPhones

Tuesday February 4, 2025 9:35 am PST by
Apple this week increased the prices for its monthly AppleCare+ subscription prices for the iPhone, raising the cost by 50 cents for all models in the United States. Standard AppleCare+ for the iPhone 16 models is now priced at $10.49 per month, for example, up from the prior $9.99 per month price. The 50 cent price increase applies to all available AppleCare+ plans for Apple's current...
iCloud General Feature Redux

'Apple Invites' Leaked on iCloud Website

Tuesday February 4, 2025 7:11 am PST by
Update: The new Apple Invites app has officially been announced. The main iCloud.com page has seemingly confirmed Apple's rumored invites tool, which has yet to be officially announced by the company. The page says "Apple Invites" will be an iCloud+ feature:Upgrade to iCloud+ to get more storage, plan events with Apple Invites, and have peace of mind with privacy features like iCloud...
maxresdefault

Testing Apple's New Invites App for Event Planning

Tuesday February 4, 2025 10:26 am PST by
Apple today surprised us with a new Invites app, which is designed for planning events like birthday parties, vacations, and baby showers. We checked it out in our latest video to see how it works, what you can use it for, and to demonstrate all of the different features in the app. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Invites is a standalone app that you can download...
disney

Disney+ Loses 700,000 Subscribers Following Price Increase

Wednesday February 5, 2025 3:34 pm PST by
Disney+ lost 700,000 subscribers worldwide in recent months, according to Disney's earnings results for the first quarter of 2025. Disney said it now has 124.6 million Disney+ subscribers, a decrease of 0.7 million compared to its subscriber numbers in the fourth quarter of 2024. The drop in subscribers comes after Disney+ prices increased in the fall. Disney+ with Ads went from $7.99 to...