Rumor: Apple's iPad mini 4 will be a miniature iPad Air 2, could launch alongside A9-powered iPad Ai
A new report out of the Far East claims that Apple's iPad mini 4 will see many of the same upgrades received by the iPad Air 2 last year, only compressed into a much smaller footprint. Meanwhile, a 2015 debut of the iPad Air 3 is said to remain a possibility.
The Japanese-language Macotakara said on Saturday that its industry sources are describing the iPad mini 4 as a shrunken version of the iPad Air 2, with plans calling for the adoption of many of the same specifications, notably a new 8MP iSight camera, A8-series processor, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Additionally, the new iPad mini 4 is rumored to see its thickness shaved down from 7.5mm to match the iPad Air 2's thickness of 6.1mm. It's also likely to gain the Air 2's laminated display with antireflective coating, according to the report.
Separately, the report looks to hedge recent rumors that Apple may forgo an upgrade to the iPad Air this year in order to reduce pressure on manufacturers who will be tasked with pumping out both a 12.9" iPad Pro and all-new iPad mini 4.
Citing sources, it claims that the design footprint -- including the length, width, depth and thickness -- of the iPad Air 3 will remain unchanged from the iPad Air 2, thereby raising the likelihood that an A9-powered version of the tablet will make a simultaneous debut alongside the new iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro this fall.
The Japanese-language Macotakara said on Saturday that its industry sources are describing the iPad mini 4 as a shrunken version of the iPad Air 2, with plans calling for the adoption of many of the same specifications, notably a new 8MP iSight camera, A8-series processor, and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Additionally, the new iPad mini 4 is rumored to see its thickness shaved down from 7.5mm to match the iPad Air 2's thickness of 6.1mm. It's also likely to gain the Air 2's laminated display with antireflective coating, according to the report.
Separately, the report looks to hedge recent rumors that Apple may forgo an upgrade to the iPad Air this year in order to reduce pressure on manufacturers who will be tasked with pumping out both a 12.9" iPad Pro and all-new iPad mini 4.
Citing sources, it claims that the design footprint -- including the length, width, depth and thickness -- of the iPad Air 3 will remain unchanged from the iPad Air 2, thereby raising the likelihood that an A9-powered version of the tablet will make a simultaneous debut alongside the new iPad mini 4 and iPad Pro this fall.
Comments
iPad supply issues are tolerable, there's no reason to forgo an Air upgrade. As the A5 phases out we'll need more power.
The rumor mill sometimes misses new products when Apple doesn't redesign the case. For example, the new iPod Touch, and the up-spec'd iPad 4 were both surprises that didn't leak earlier.
Suddenly,
AppleInsider reported on the new iPod Touch in April:
http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/04/23/apples-dwindling-ipod-lineup-to-see-long-awaited-refresh-this-year
K
I love my Air 2 except for the sound vibration. It's such a weird sensation when you're holding the iPad in your hands and your fingers have this tingly feeling because of the sound vibrations. That's why whenever I can I use my iPad with a Bluetooth speaker. Hopefully if we get a new mini they fixed the vibration issue.
I stand corrected.
I agree with current Air 2 dropping to $399 would be awesome but why not also bring the rumored stylus capabilities to the Air 3 as well as the 12.9" iPad?
I've had six iPads of various stripes (including the one I am posting from now). Not one has vibrated.
I guess my data point is at least as relevant as yours?
I agree with current Air 2 dropping to $399 would be awesome but why not also bring the rumored stylus capabilities to the Air 3 as well as the 12.9" iPad?
For the same reason the 15" MBP gets the discreet GPU option; differentiation.
I've had six iPads of various stripes (including the one I am posting from now). Not one has vibrated.
I guess my data point is at least as relevant as yours?
The Air 2's chassis does tend to vibrate at louder volumes, many reviews commented on this.
That's what got me to buy a Mini 2, but if they announce another iPad Mini that falls below specs (no real improvements, generate behind processors, skipping things like FT if the Air gets it), I'd be pretty disappointed and would probably hold off longer on replacing.
Plus it makes the product line a lot easier to decode.
I'm still real happy with my iPad Air 2, but I wouldn't mind seeing an iPad Pro this fall. That's the only thing that will get me to upgrade my iPad this year.
So it sounds like Apple has decided the mini is always going to be a generation behind the Air.
I love my Air 2 except for the sound vibration. It's such a weird sensation when you're holding the iPad in your hands and your fingers have this tingly feeling because of the sound vibrations. That's why whenever I can I use my iPad with a Bluetooth speaker. Hopefully if we get a new mini they fixed the vibration issue.
You're talking about something covered in the one year hardware warranty. There's no reason you cannot walk into an Apple Store and exchange for a new one. That is, unless you just want to honestly complain on this forum.
I agree with current Air 2 dropping to $399 would be awesome but why not also bring the rumored stylus capabilities to the Air 3 as well as the 12.9" iPad?
That would cut their iPad Pro sales in half. Besides, there's probably hardware differences between the two as well as screen resolution and digitizer for more accurate stylus input.
You're talking about something covered in the one year hardware warranty. There's no reason you cannot walk into an Apple Store and exchange for a new one. That is, unless you just want to honestly complain on this forum.
That's not a flaw. That's just how it is. The iPad Air 2 definitely vibrates sounds more than previous iPads. I noticed that within 30 seconds of trying the iPad Air 2 for the first time.
I've gotten used to it now, since I've been using the iPad Air 2 since day one. There's a trade off when going to a thinner chassis. If somebody has a big issue with the sound vibration, then they should buy an old, thicker iPad, and their problem will be solved. Of course, their old iPad will be worse in 100 other areas, but that would be their problem.
Massively overpowered for things you do, maybe. But that's just you. Major games need more power and RAM than my current iPad Air 2 has. I use Photo and movie editing apps, and they too can use more memory and power. So do my CAD apps, and painting apps.
I've never understood why some people think that just because they don't need something, no one needs it.
The Air 2 vibrates by design, not defect. Warranty doesn't cover that. Thinness comes with trade offs and that is one of them. Mine vibrates too compared to my previous Air, and the phenomenon has been well documented by reviewers at this point so I don't get the contrarianism his statement is being met with. It's not a deal breaker, it just is. I bought a semi hard silicone back cover for mine and that helped a great deal.