iPad mini 2 release date
As predicted, Apple tonight launched the second version of the iPad mini: the iPad mini 2. The main highlight is the Retina display - a feature many had wanted on the original mini. See also: iPad mini video review. See also: Apple iPad mini Retina price in the UK and iPad mini with Retina display first-look review.
See also: Apple iPad mini 2 Retina vs iPad mini comparison review.
Apple iPad mini with Retina display: specifications
Display
As you'd expect from an iPad Retina display it has 2048x1536 pixels. That's a quadrupling of the original iPad mini's resolution, and as it's the same 7.9-inch size as before, that equates to a healthy pixel density of 326ppi.
Keeping the resolution the same as other iPad Retina displays means apps can be identical across the iPad 3, 4, new Air and new iPad mini.
Processor
The original iPad mini was underpowered as it took the older iPad 2 processor rather than use the A6X from the iPad 4 which was launched at the same time.
This time around, the iPad mini with Retina display gets no second-class treatment: it has the A7 chip that's also inside the new iPad Air. That means it's a 64-bit device, which makes it more future-proof than if it had stuck with a 32-bit processor. It also gets the M7 motion coprocessor.
As usual, Apple offered no extra details such as the amount of RAM but this is of little consequence: the second-gen iPad mini is bound to live up to Apple's claims of being four times faster.
Gamers should appreciate the fact that the new mini will be up to 8x faster in the graphics department, so next-gen titles should play and look just as great as they do on the iPad Air.
Storage
There's good news if you like to keep vast libraries of music, videos and photos on your iPad as capacities range from 16GB to 128GB. As ever, this isn't expandable. All you can do is buy a wireless hard drive if that's not enough (or use cloud storage and stream content).
Communications
The only noteworthy change is the new dual-antenna Wi-Fi and support for MIMO which Apple says doubles the theoretical transfer speed compared to the original iPad mini (300Mbps versus 150Mbps).
You still get Bluetooth 4.0 and only the cellular version (which supports more LTE bands than ever) has a GPS receiver as normal.
Size and weight
Not much has changed in terms of dimensions, and that's no real surprise as the design hasn't changed. The new model is very slightly thicker than its predecessor - 7.5mm versus 7.2mm but it's the weight gain that's slightly disappointing.
The Wi-Fi version weighs 331g (23g heavier) while the Wi-Fi + Cellular model gains 29g over the previous equivalent iPad mini.
It's doubtful the extra mass will be that noticeable, but viewed against the iPad Air's weight-loss regime, it seems the team couldn't shave off any tenths of a millimetre here and there to even retain the same weight as before.
Cameras
There's no major change in the camera department, with a 5Mp iSight snapper on the rear (capable of 1080p video) and an improved FaceTime HD webcam on the front - likely the same unit that the iPhone 5C received.
The faster A7 CPU means the iPad mini with Retina display can auto-focus faster and has stabilisation for stills and video. What you don't get is the slo-mo capability of the iPhone 5S.
Colours
In line with the new iPhone 5s, the iPad mini with Retina display is available in white or Space Grey. Anyone hoping for a gold iPad will have to opt for a custom paint job. A new Smart Cover and Smart Case has been launched in various colours - both fit the old and new iPad mini models.
Apple iPad mini with Retina display: release date in the UK
Currently there's no word from Apple on exactly when the second-gen mini will go on sale: the website simply states "Coming later in November". The iPad Air, meanwhile, will go on sale on 1st November.
Apple iPad mini with Retina display: price in the UK
The new screen and processor don't come cheap, so the new iPad mini costs more than the original. The 16GB Wi-Fi-only version starts at £319 - £50 more than the equivalent original iPad mini.
See also: iPad mini cases and covers roundup
Add Jim Martin to your Google+ circles and follow Jim Martin and @PCAdvisor on Twitter.
Comments
Matt Egan said: As I say Im not here to defend Apple Maybe we are being scalped but all importers of luxury goods will tell you the same following things 1 UK prices look more expensive because we include VAT on quoted price and they dont in the States you had it both ways by adding on VAT in the UK but not in Delaware - you cant blame Apple for US tax law 2 We have a strong currency - its expensive to import goods into the UK 3 We are relatively small population and currency wise local tax laws need to be observed or got around and IT goods also need to be localised Im sure it also counts that we are relatively wealthy so there is more margin here Which is to no importers credit The bottom line is I suspect that Apple makes Asian profit as it can on every territory And unless you want to move to a non-capitalist society all you can do is choose not to buy
EdmundIJones said: Thats not right the price in the US excludes sales tax if you live in a state that does not charge tax including local taxes or charges very little you pay close to the 599 amountIn the UK you pay the amount listed in the store 479 or did last month for the iPad with Retina This includes VAT so there is no more to payIf you were buying in the US in Delaware where they have 0 sales tax you would pay 599 Using the current exchange rate on 479 thats 774 This report wasnt talking about buying in the US and bring the iPad into the UK as youd have to pay import taxit was highlighting the difference in pricing and currency overunder valuation Across all goods the UK is 13 overvalued against the US thats overvalued over the exchange rate Even if you were inclined to bring one from the US into the UK you would pay 7419 in VAT on the 559 purchase price making the total cost 44512 thats 719 using todays exchange rate 160 more in the UK than in the US at its cheapest
Matt Egan said: Im not here to defend Apple at all But we are a relatively small and relatively wealthy country with a strong currency And you have to take off 20 of all prices because of the lack of VAT on quoted prices in the US Thats why we tend to pay for tech goods in general and Apple products in particular
Matt Egan said: The new processor will help certainly but it is a fair point that sufficient RAM is critical
Kandiboyyy said: You talk like your opinion is fact I for one know people who hate the 43 ratio I dont know very many cameras that shoot a 43 picture size and the iPad mini is a lot harder to hold in one hand than the candy bar 169 7-8in tablets Basically what im telling you is dont ever say a screen size is perfect in a plural sense It might be for you but it sure as hell might not be for others
Shaun Hammond said: Ohhh noooo black bars Video is just one form of media Photos from a camera fit 43 perfectly you also get a lot more realestate for reading and browsing and just general use of apps is better on a bigger 43 screen I would hate a 43 phone but for a tablet its just perfect
EdmundIJones said: That report states that it doesnt include sales tax as you could live in somewhere like Delaware and get one at 0 tax Even with that in mind if you look at the iPad mini with Retina its 70 more if you look to see how much they raised the price in Japan it went up by Y2000 which is like 92I love iPads but Im just saying that the prices around the world just dont seem to add up Apple have a lot of smart guys pricing products Im sure but I also reckon theyve found a way to make that little extra on each sale
Mini Owner said: As usual Apple offered no extra details such as the amount of RAM but this is of little consequence the second-gen iPad mini is bound to live up to Apples claims of being four times fasterIm curious whether the person who wrote this has actually really used the iPad Mini for any real length of time because lack of RAM is a problem for manyA cursory search would tell you that some went so far as to return theirs because of poor performance in a key area - multitasking Considering this was one of the things it was purported to be good for its been nothing but disappointing amp a real headache A shame really because apart from that its a great device in terms of size amp form factor Personally Ive not missed the lack of Retina display amp its inclusion now wouldnt tempt me to buy a Mini 2 unless theres a serious RAM upgrade so it can be used the way it should be - I guess we have to wait for the tear down to see
justtelling said: Prices in the US are without sales tax in the EU all prices are with taxvat which is higher so baseprice is not much different
Murray Snudge said: Thanks Chris - Im definitely going to get one and its such a relief to know its got the Retina display after all the rumours will it wont itGreat stuff - its going to be a winner
Atablet said: I had a nexus 7 first edition but found that the screen size was just that bit too small for reviewing and editing documents etc and the apps I need arent all on android yet I tried the iPad mini 1 and the size and robustness of the product meant I was hooked But decided to wait for the retina version and instead of upgrading my larger ipad get the iPad mini 2 The improvements in iOS 7 are great So whilst I still have my old nexus 7 which I do like my next tablet will be an iPad mini 2 I tried the latest Samsung note 8 but found it disappointing - a nexus 8 inch would be interesting though
Kandiboyyy said: I disagree Since they are both deemed media tablets its pretty sad seeing 169 videos which are the standard outside apple being pretty much the same size on both devices You just have a half inch black bar on each end of the mini
Kandiboyyy said: I dont see where your problems come from If you buy a nexus tablet they come pretty simple out of the box By a technical standpoint however you would be very daft to say iOS is superior Its debatebly more user friendly I find that iOS gets extremely confusing once you have over 100 apps an app drawer is what I find to be the simpler interface Everyones different
Kandiboyyy said: Dont be so sure its the best Apple finally made it comparable to the competition but with how mobile operating systems are these days its just user preference The device is still marked up more than debatebly equal devices
Deepak Singh Bisht said: I am agree with youBut in my point of view I found that Google Nexus 7 2013 price is start from around Rs14000 with 16 GB In India and Apple iPad mini with Retina Display 2013 is approx 24550 In India with 16 GB storage Wifi onwards and both will be available in the middle of November13 month or may be in the last Now you can see the different between Google Nexus 7 2013 or iPad mini 2013You can also see the Kindle Fire HD 2013 or Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 311 Rs25000 or 211 Rs17000 approx or without SIM 310 or 210
Deepak Singh Bisht said: I agree with you
Chris Martin said: It is black but the back is now space grey instead slate grey
Murray Snudge said: SPACE GREY - Ive waited months for this release but I wanted a black one
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