Kuo: iPad Mini 6 Delayed Until Second Half of 2021

Monday May 3, 2021 3:32 am PDT by Sami Fathi

According to reliable supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple plans to release the sixth-generation iPad mini in the second half of this year, indicating an even more delayed launch for the small form-factor iPad.

ipad mini 6 screen increase feature
In a note related to the launch of an 8-inch foldable iPhone in 2023, Kuo said that recent global changes have helped grow ‌iPad‌ sales and the newly released 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models are expected to bolster sales forward. In addition, Kuo said that the new ‌iPad mini‌ in the second half of this year will further help grow the ‌iPad‌ business.

Kuo and DigiTimes had previously indicated that the new ‌iPad mini‌ would launch in the first half of this year. Possibly due to supply restraints, the new low-cost ‌iPad‌ now seems to have been delayed to the second half of 2021.

The new ‌iPad mini‌ is expected to feature an 8.4-inch display with slimmer bezels and continue to feature a Touch ID Home Button and a Lightning port. The new ‌iPad‌ could be a disappointment for customers hoping the smallest form-factor ‌iPad‌ would benefit from a major redesign, such as the changes seen with the iPad Air and ‌iPad Pro‌.

More long-term, Kuo reports that Apple is working on an iPad mini with a mini-LED display, which recently debuted in the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. Compared to the current LCD displays, mini-LED on the ‌iPad mini‌ would help deliver richer blacks, while providing improved contrast and HDR.

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Top Rated Comments

ohbrilliance

31 months ago

Am I the only one who really likes the iPad mini form factor exactly as it is?

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Oohara

An iPad Mini with Pro form factor and mini-LED display is top of my device wish list. I adore my iPhone 12 Pro Max but I still find it too small for many situations, whereas my iPad Pro 12.9 is often too big. An iPad Mini Pro would become my go-to device for so many situations, and I could then happily move to a cheaper and more pocket friendly phone, while keeping my iPad Pro for mobile yet heavy lifting tasks.

Touch ID in the power button like on the new Airs would be icing on the cake.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Greenmeenie

I dunno about this rumor. I know the iPad mini gets no love and sometimes is not updated for 2-4 yrs...and now with rumors of an 8” foldable iPhone coming in 2023...perhaps will be discontinued altogether.... BUT I still would love to see an iPad mini with the flat edged design of the iPad Pros. As an artist who uses a larger iPad Pro, I would love to have an ipad mini that I could use my Apple pencil 2 on when I want to travel light.

profets

Oh man do I ever hope for an Air 4 style mini (I’d love Face ID but lets be real, it won’t happen if the Air never received it).

Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

jimmy_uk

Gotta milk the form factor and parts for another year, like the SE 2020. Helps keep costs down and/or encourages customers to upgrade to Pro versions if they want new and shiney designs.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Yeah, i am hoping for an iPad mini with the flat edged design of the air & pros too. Face ID would be great, but like you wrote, if the Air didn’t get it, i doubt the iPad mini will. But i think an iPad mini with the same flat edged design & touch ID built into the power button on the side could work well. And they could offer the iPad mini in multiple colors like the Air as well. As someone who already owns a larger iPad Pro...I would buy one of these iPad minis in a hearbeat. I am an artist, and would love to be able to use my Apple pencil 2 on the ipad mini for when i want to travel light.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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