Leaked images supposedly show off parts of a Retina iPad mini
Images posted to a Chinese Internet forum on Thursday show what is claimed to be the rear casing for an iPad mini with a high-density retina screen.
The images, which emerged first on Weiphone, show what looks like the rear case for an iPad mini. Notably, the writing and logo on the case are bright blue, where current mini models have black or silver detailing.
The parts shown in the images also appear to be thicker than current builds for the iPad mini. This fact is the cause of speculation that these pictures show off components from a forthcoming Retina iPad mini.
When Apple improved the resolution on the full-size iPad to Retina quality, the device wound up somewhat thicker than its predecessor so as to accommodate the bigger battery necessary to power the Retina screen. It is likely that a Retina iPad mini will have to undergo the same design modifications.
An iPad mini with Retina display has been expected from Apple essentially since the company revealed the current model, which sports the same resolution as the iPad 2. Currently, rumors suggest that the next mini will pack a 324ppi display. Bringing Retina to the device, though, will not be cheap. Observers estimate that doing so will add 30 percent to the total cost of the device.
The images, which emerged first on Weiphone, show what looks like the rear case for an iPad mini. Notably, the writing and logo on the case are bright blue, where current mini models have black or silver detailing.
The parts shown in the images also appear to be thicker than current builds for the iPad mini. This fact is the cause of speculation that these pictures show off components from a forthcoming Retina iPad mini.
When Apple improved the resolution on the full-size iPad to Retina quality, the device wound up somewhat thicker than its predecessor so as to accommodate the bigger battery necessary to power the Retina screen. It is likely that a Retina iPad mini will have to undergo the same design modifications.
An iPad mini with Retina display has been expected from Apple essentially since the company revealed the current model, which sports the same resolution as the iPad 2. Currently, rumors suggest that the next mini will pack a 324ppi display. Bringing Retina to the device, though, will not be cheap. Observers estimate that doing so will add 30 percent to the total cost of the device.
Comments
Retina iPad mini?
I returned my iPad mini after trying for a week to tolerate the screen (this after coming from an iPad 3). Just couldn't stand it.
Not interested
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackbook
Thicker?
Not interested
No need to share your disinterest. That way, we all save some time.
"Retina" will trump a few mm rather easily.
OTOH that would seem to diminish the odds that the display tech would be IGZO as the potential power savings from that display type would have allowed a similar battery size from what I've read.
I'd buy that...
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich
Why would apple make the text and logo blue? Fake.
They've not yet been cut out, is all.
Originally Posted by blackbook
Thicker?
Not interested
The retina iPads were thicker. Plenty of people remained interested in them. The mini would still be thinner than the iPad, wouldn't it?
So IGZO is not ready for prime time yet? Anyone would have an idea why?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
They've not yet been cut out, is all.
The retina iPads were thicker. Plenty of people remained interested in them. The mini would still be thinner than the iPad, wouldn't it?
Pretty much this. When I had the iPad mini, I was amazed by how thin it was. Adding a little bit more thickness back is worth it for decent battery life with a Retina display IMHO. The form-factor was damn near perfect to me, just couldn't get past the screen. Hell I'd even be willing to pay a little bit more money than the current $329 starting price.
How is AppleInsider still can't figure out that the iPhone has a 326 PPI display, not a 324 PPI display? This has been common knowledge in the tech world since 2010.
Maybe they want colors on the iPad mini like on the iPod Nano in comparison to the iPod Classic which means the back logos and the front edge? I don't think that's the most likely scenario just to see how it could fit if this is authentic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
The retina iPads were thicker. Plenty of people remained interested in them. The mini would still be thinner than the iPad, wouldn't it?
Until we know we don't know, right? 0.1mm is thicker, technically speaking but hardly a big deal. I am very happy with the mini and have no problem with the resolution. For the ones that can't handle less than retina, I am sure the added thickness will be an acceptable compromise.
The rest of the world will just think it is awesome and get busy using it.
But how much thicker is still acceptable? How much heavier is still acceptable? These are important considerations with handheld devices, and with the iPad mini in particular. I think the thickness is currently low enough that adding a little bit won't be an issue but weight is less forgiving. Hopefully they won't have to increase the battery by 70% (or more) to make the ASIC push 2048x1536 pixels to the display and still last 10 hours.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mazda 3s
Retina iPad mini?
I returned my iPad mini after trying for a week to tolerate the screen (this after coming from an iPad 3). Just couldn't stand it.
Yup. Exactly how I felt after playing with them whenever I go into the Apple Store.
It's too small for my taste too, but I could live with that in exchange for the weight if it were Retina. The combination of text being too small and standard resolution display is just unbearable after the clarity of the 3rd iPad. I left the jaggies behind and I'm not going back.
I'm not feeling that blue Apple logo at all, if this is for real. I much prefer my all stealth black iPad Mini.
It also looks a bit chubbier, which is to be expected if it is indeed retina. Expect it to also be slightly heavier, have slightly worse battery life and also to get a bit warmer when using it.