Compal Expected to Assemble iPad Mini 5 Launching 'Later in 2019'

Taiwanese manufacturer Compal Electronics is expected to be a supplier of the so-called iPad mini 5 when the tablet launches later in 2019, according to DigiTimes. This would likely entail final assembly of the device.

ipad mini 4 2017 roundup header

‌iPad mini‌ 4

Rumors suggest Apple will release the new ‌iPad mini‌ as early as this spring, likely alongside a new seventh-generation iPad with a slightly larger 10-inch display. Apple's plans to release a new ‌iPad mini‌ have been reported by Ming-Chi Kuo, Mark Gurman, DigiTimes, and the China Times.

Apple has debuted new iPads in March for three consecutive years, including the 9.7-inch iPad Pro in 2016, the fifth-generation ‌iPad‌ in 2017, and the sixth-generation ‌iPad‌ in 2018, so there's a good chance that Apple will unveil the ‌iPad mini‌ 5 and the new 10-inch ‌iPad‌ in a little over a month from now.

Kuo said the new ‌iPad mini‌ will feature an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel, but few details are known beyond that.

The current iPad mini 4 was released in September 2015. The tablet features a 7.9-inch display with 326 PPI, A8 chip, 2GB of RAM, Touch ID, 8-megapixel rear camera, a Lightning connector, dual speakers, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It is available with 128GB of storage for $399 (Wi-Fi) and $529 (LTE).

Related Roundups: Apple Studio Display, iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

nfl46 Avatar
90 months ago
Give us an iPad Mini 5 and iPhone SE 2 with updated specs & a lot of people will be happy.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MadeByApple Avatar
90 months ago
I hope they won't go full penny-pinching again and use the old chassis (but seeing Cook's track record, I'm sure that's exactly what they'll do)
My bet is on it being thicker, lower quality screen for the same $399. And this new 10 inch iPad rumor will have similar crappy parts for $499.

Apple wants us to feel compelled to buy an iPad Pro. There’s no way they will give us what we want— a full-featured iPad Mini with a sub $500 price.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
otternonsense Avatar
90 months ago
I hope they won't go into full penny-pinching mode again and use the old chassis (but seeing Cook's track record, I'm sure that's exactly what they'll do)
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MRrainer Avatar
90 months ago
Mom's original iPad Mini is very slow now. We're waiting for a replacement to show up. Can't justify buying the "current" Mini now, at that price.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
w_aldo Avatar
90 months ago

Kuo said the new iPad mini will feature an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel
So an air gap, then?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
90 months ago
The excitement builds... knowing that no matter what is released there are going to be three basic comments
1) who wants this? update the Mac Pro!
2) they cheaped out, I want a fully featured iPad mini Pro at half the cost!
3) its too expensive, I want just a basic device.

The minority will say, just what I have been waiting for!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)