Rumor: Apple Working on iPad Mini with Retina Display

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

Is Apple already working on an iPad mini 2?

Apple's iPad mini hasn't been on the market that long. However, the rumor mill is already kicking into gear and churning out reports regarding the next iteration of the 7-inch tablet. According to a recent Digitimes report, Apple is already hard at work on the new iPad mini. The publication cites Taiwan-based backlighting industry sources that say Apple's focus with the iPad mini is improving the display. 

These sources didn't specifically say that the iPad mini would have a Retina display, however, Digitimes quotes market observers that say a  Retina display iPad mini is likely based on Apple's product development history. Apple's first Retina display product was the iPhone 4, which boasted 326ppi. Then came the iPhone 4S, the fourth gen iPod touch, the iPhone 5 and fifth gen iPod touch, and Apple's third and fourth generation iPad. The company now also has a Retina display MacBook Pro.

A Retina display iPad mini wouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, and Apple has been known to omit certain 'no-brainer' features only to include them in the following year's model. Apple's Retina display products do not all share the same ppi. While the original Retina display product boats 326ppi, the other products have lower pixel-per-inch figures. The iPad packs 264ppi, while the 15-inch MacBook Pro boasts 220ppi and the 13-inch has 227ppi. Digitimes reports that f the 7.9-inch iPad mini were to get the Retina display treatment, it would have a 2058-by-1536 resolution with a 326ppi.

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Jane McEntegart
29 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wemakeourfuture
    It was pretty widely known that the second iPad mini is going to be retina.

    What Apple really needs to do is basically have a new product that is like the Air (8GB of Ram, minimum 128GB space) when you remove the screen it turns into an iPad, when you dock it, is uses OS X and is like a regular laptop.
    Reply
  • dauntekong
    wemakeourfutureIt was pretty widely known that the second iPad mini is going to be retina.What Apple really needs to do is basically have a new product that is like the Air (8GB of Ram, minimum 128GB space) when you remove the screen it turns into an iPad, when you dock it, is uses OS X and is like a regular laptop.
    In other words.... the ASUS TF7700 Infinity or the Microsoft Surface Tablet....
    Reply
  • curiosul
    wemakeourfutureIt was pretty widely known that the second iPad mini is going to be retina.What Apple really needs to do is basically have a new product that is like the Air (8GB of Ram, minimum 128GB space) when you remove the screen it turns into an iPad, when you dock it, is uses OS X and is like a regular laptop.
    Let me rephrase that for you:

    It was pretty widely known that the second iPad mini will have to keep up with the competition (being left behind by almost any 7" tablet).

    What Apple really needs to do is basically have a product that rips off Asus and Microsoft (and maybe others by the time it comes out) and then sue everyone for copying.
    Reply
  • faust_67
    Wow, those who bought the iPad mini must be happy that a better product comes out a few months later?.... Well, actually they will be very happy to shell their money to Apple.
    Reply
  • Cryio
    Rumor? It's a given fact. It's probably the only "new thing" they will do to improve their Mini branch.
    Reply
  • wemakeourfuture
    dauntekongIn other words.... the ASUS TF7700 Infinity or the Microsoft Surface Tablet....
    No, none of them are 8GB of RAM, minor point.
    Big point is swapping between iOS and OS X.

    So its truly an iPad and an Air.

    No one really cares for the Surface RT and the PRO are way overpriced for what they're offering.
    Reply
  • Prey
    I love their marketing. Will an iPad mini sell.. yep, okay now time to release the actual product with the high res.. err I mean retina display.
    Reply
  • sliem
    Ok guys once this ipad mini 2 is out, let's release ipad mini 3, next gen ipad with slightly more power, a little better camera, same battrery, and of course our new lightning connector 2 that is totally not backward compatible. Starts at $399. It'll sell. It's magic. It's Apple.
    Reply
  • I remember an article that "rumored" this was going to happen before the gen 1 was even released. The problem now with Apple is that the one last thing is not exciting any more. And the releases of their products are still based on that big moment concept. So, Apple needs a little marketing tweek to move on successfully.
    Reply
  • SinisterSalad
    Like no one saw this coming... You know they did that on purpose. They need a reason to come out with a 2nd within a year. Smart people know not to buy anything 1st gen.
    Reply