Countering earlier reports about the possibility of Apple launching a larger, 12.9-inch iPad next year, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo states in a new research note that the company will instead release a new sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad with 30-40% higher pixel density than seen in both the current and upcoming full-sized iPad.
Contrary to speculation that next year’s iPad next year may come in a 12” form, or larger, we think it will not change from the current 9.7” format as we think a 12” iPad would not provide a good mobility experience given today’s technology limitations.
In light [of] advancing Oxide and a-Si technologies, the PPI of iPad 6, which we expect to come out at end-2014, will exceed that of 2013’s iPad 5 by 30-40%, which will offer more competent visuals.
In his research note, Kuo also touches on the third-generation iPad mini, which would be expected to launch alongside the higher-resolution iPad 6. Kuo believes that the second-generation iPad mini expected to be introduced at Apple's media event later this month will adopt a Retina display and that there will be no further changes to resolution for the third-generation iPad mini next year.
Apple is expected to unveil both the fifth-generation iPad and the second-generation iPad mini during an October 22 event that will also showcase other Apple products such as Mavericks and the Mac Pro.
Top Rated Comments
This is good news as, to me, a 12 inch pad, almost defeats the purpose of a pad. Of course samsung will make a 14 inch pad that doubles as a phone. Cant wait to see some dweeb with that up to his head talking! Or better yet, at some concert taking photos with it!
arn
1. You can make eye contact while video-calling people
2. It could be used to support non-capacitive input devices like pens or paintbrushes
3. It gets rid of the front-facing camera hole, allowing for sleeker devices and less bezel
I have fairly good eyesight, and at a normal viewing distance (about two feet) I CAN'T SEE the pixels on my iPad 4. What's the point increasing density, creating more pixels that the GPU has to push (slowing things down) at this point?
Even with the iPad closer to my face I can barely see the pixels, and only if I really look for them. Text looks like a printed page. Images look like photographic prints. The current PPI is more than enough.