iPad mini 2 release date
There's been a long wait for the second-generation iPad mini, but it looks as if there is finally a believable iPad mini 2 release date.
iPad mini 2: Release date
Reliable sources AllThingsD and Current Editorials have suggested that Apple will announce the iPad mini 2 at a special event on 22 October 2013. We expect the actual iPad mini 2 release date to be either that Friday - 25th October - or the following Friday, which is 1st November.
We're expecting the iPad mini 2 to have a Retina screen, better cameras, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a RAM boost and a more powerful processor. See also: iPad 5 release date, price and specs rumours.
iPad mini 2 release date: Screen
One of the main complaints about the original iPad mini was screen resolution. It's by no means bad, but after the Retina iPad launched in March 2012, it felt like a step backwards. See also: iPad mini video review.
One rumour suggested that second-generation iPad mini won't have a Retina display until 2014, but Apple will still launch a new model this year.
If that's true, the fabled iPad mini 2 will have the same 1024x768 resolution as the current model, albeit with a likely contrast and colour gamut boost (that's what Apple typically does with iPhones when not changing the resolution).
The rumours suggest that unspecified problems with the Retina screen mean mass production may not start until November 2013, pushing the launch of a supposed third-gen iPad mini into 2014. More rumours say that there's more chance of seeing an iPad 5 before an iPad mini 2.
Contradictory to these rumours, the same Bloomberg report cited above states that the new iPad mini will have a 'high-resolution' screen, suggesting it will be given the Retina treatment.
Our opinion is that the iPad mini 2 will come with a Retina display in order to complete with rivals on the market. That being the case, it will have the same resolution as its big brother, with 2048x1536 pixels. That's a quadrupling of the original iPad mini's resolution, and if it's a 7.9-inch display as before, that equates to a healthy pixel density of 324ppi.
See also: iPad mini cases and covers roundup
iPad mini 2: Design
The iPad mini brought a new design to the iPad range, with thin side bezels and squarer edges compared to the 9.7-inch iPad's chamfered sides.
It's likely Apple will stick with this design, but potentially with a thinner casing and narrower bezels around the screen.
If the iPad mini 2 does have a Retina screen, Apple might have to install a bigger battery to maintain a 10-hour battery life. This could mean the iPad mini 2 is thicker and heavier than the original - something we saw with the iPad 3, which was the first to get a Retina screen.
iPad mini 2: Processor and performance
Another gripe about the original iPad mini was that it didn't get the faster processor of the 9.7-inch iPad. Instead, it shared a part with the older iPad 2. That's an area Apple is bound to address in the next iPad mini.
We'd expect something like an A7 processor, possibly still dual-core with quad-core graphics. The iPad mini 2 may, of course, simply get a hand-me-down from the iPad 4 and use the proven A6X chip, which is more than quick enough for most tasks, including gaming.
iPad mini 2: Cameras
The rear camera on the original iPad mini was a 5-megapixel snapper, so an upgrade to an 8-megapixel sensor is expected. For the front camera, which is 1.2 megapixels currently, could also be upgraded to shoot 1080p video, rather than 720p.
iPad mini 2: UK price
At Apple's launch events, the company loves to boast about the upgraded specifications and then announce that the price will be the same as the outgoing model.
That's likely to happen with the iPad mini as the original base model was more expensive than many people expected at £269.
Whether the iPad mini 2 base model will still have 16GB of storage remains to be seen. It's possible Apple will shift to a 32GB baseline for the iPad mini 2 and iPad 5.
We'll keep you up to date with iPad mini 2 rumours and release date when we have more information.
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Comments
Shaun Hammond said: That would be horrid 43 is easily the best aspect ratio for a tablet thats why Im not going to get the smaller Nexus 7
Shaun Hammond said: Uhhh theyre using the same aluminium casing on the back of this thing as the first mini
Stephen said: Like a number of others I find the original iPad a little too big and a little to heavy which makes the iPad mini such a good item However having got an iPad 2 I need something other than the same innards in a smaller case and screen to justify it After all Its probably only got another year before the processor is no longer supported by the current OS I just hope we dont get an iPad mini 3 with retinal in 12 months time followed 6 months later with a new improved version 4Oh the Joys of technology improvements
EdmundIJones said: I wonder if Apple are going to update their prices as according to this httpwwwworldeconomicscom European customers are paying 38 more for their iPads than US customers
Ray Don said: Why Apple products so expensive The price always keeps me from buying one The design i admit is the best ive ever seen Wish the new iPad Mini would have a relatively cheap price
sTrupdiesel said: if they aint changing the screen to a better one I aint buying one
Nav said: What about having a 169 aspect ratio screen too
KV said: wish a new iPad mini will include a Wacom feel IT technology allowing to use a normal stylus to write a notes same as on Samsung note series gadgets
Harry_Wild said: NovemberDecember seems lightly Just in time for the holiday season
Firdaus Rizal said: My wishes for iPad mini 2-16 GHz dual-core Apple A7 with quad-core graphics-79-inch diagonal LED-backlit multi-touch display with IGZO-powered Retina Display-13-megapixel front-facing FaceTime HD camera with full HD 1080p video-Magnetic connector compatible for iPad mini QWERTY keyboard cover with Lightning connector HDMI SDMMC reader and USB 30Charging via Lightning connector through iPad mini QWERTY keyboard cover to iPad mini system-8-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera with full HD 1080p video and LED flash-dual-band near field communication NFC-stereo speakers with Dolby Digital Plus
value_shopper said: I totally agree with you that iOS knocks the android OS out of the park but Im still concerned about the price point for the ipad mini At 329 lowest the current ipad mini is just not a good value Yes it has the sexiness of any apple product but the specifications are sub-par at best considering the price theyre asking With a slightly larger screen I anticipated a higher price than the nexus 7 but 130 is a little too much for an extrawhat is it 07 inches of screen If apple adds a retina screen puts in an A6 chip and keeps the storage space the same the next gen ipad mini will hit a sweet spot at 329 But if they raise the price up to 399 like a lot of people are speculating youre starting to get up into the ipad range which makes you wonder why you wouldnt just step up to an ipad I think apple may be missing the mark on the budget-friendly mini-tablet market Of course their sales are going to be great for a new introduction of anything iToaster could sell millions but the sales on the ipad mini 2 will be the true test for apple I really want to get an ipad mini over an android device because like you said it just works Still Im just not sure I can justify paying twice the amount of an android tablet just because apple thinks their branding is worth it especially if the specs arent significantly updated
Devjones2236 said: There are 2 reasons I have an iPhone 5 and new 133inch MacBook Air I have tried google and Microsoft Surface pro Both have strengths but I had some issues with both of them which caused me hours of productivity Every apple product that I have ever had has never have me any issues On top of this everything syncs between devices really well and as Steve Jobs once said it just works this is what apple has going for them Plus there will be people selling their first gen minis to get the second gen
Devjones2236 said: I would agree with value shopper on Apple losing business if they wait until Oct Apple did not use to have to worry about this aspect because there werent any other tablets worth buying Now other tablets are showing great specs at lower prices My wife has an iPad mini and it is great She doesnt really care about screen resolution as I do I think apple really messed up by not putting the iPhone 5s A6 chip in the first gen iPad mini However with all of this said I will still wait
value_shopper said: Ive been waiting with baited breath for either a more impressive ipad mini or a cheaper ipad mini preferably both I like many other consumers am the last remaining frontier in the tablet market - the value shopper While I own an ipod touch and am very pleased with it the larger ipad never appealed to me with its significant price tag I was so excited to hear about the first ipad mini but incredibly disappointed by the high price and abysmal specs I almost went out and bought a Nexus 7 the next day but figured I would wait for the next gen of either of these models better screen resolution is anticipated on both since a new Nexus 7 SHOULD be due out any day The key here is that I will be purchasing whichever one comes first If apple holds off until OctoberNovember to release their next-gen ipad mini while Google releases a new Nexus 7 in the coming months at a much better price-point I suspect apple will lose a lot of sales of customers like myself to a Google tablet with a lower price and better specs