Rumor: Apple moving up next-gen iPad mini production, release date still unknown
Component makers for the second-generation iPad mini are supposedly preparing for an earlier-than-expected time to market, says one analyst, though the exact timeframe is in question as Apple has yet to complete the global rollout of the first-generation model.
According to a research note from RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman, who is in China visiting supply chain sources, chipmakers are already making preparations for the second-generation iPad mini, reports CNET's Brooke Crothers.
"iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content," Freedman wrote.
Crothers believes the term "pulled-in" implies that Apple may be moving up its production schedule for the mid-size tablet, but notes the information is of little use as no rumors have surfaced pertaining to the next-gen mini's release.
It appears that Texas Instruments, referred to as "TXN" in Freedman's note, will build on its already important presence as a component supplier for future iDevice products. It remains unclear what "new suppliers" will be added to the roster, though Apple has reportedly been looking for ways to diversify the supply of crucial internal components away from rival Samsung.
The report comes on the heels of a separate rumor that claimed Apple will be focusing its efforts on bumping the next-gen iPad mini's screen resolution to be more in line with current Retina display offerings like the fourth-generation iPad and iPhone 5.
Apple is still in the midst of completing a worldwide rollout, most recently debuting the 7.9-inch tablet to the Chinese market at the start of December. It was reported on Tuesday that the Chinese Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center granted network licenses for cellular-enabled versions of the iPad mini, with the units though to be launching soon through Apple partner carriers China Unicom and China Telecom.
According to a research note from RBC Capital Markets analyst Doug Freedman, who is in China visiting supply chain sources, chipmakers are already making preparations for the second-generation iPad mini, reports CNET's Brooke Crothers.
"iPad Mini Gen-2: Apple's gen-2 iPad mini is getting pulled-in, and is likely to have several new suppliers, with TXN gaining content," Freedman wrote.
Crothers believes the term "pulled-in" implies that Apple may be moving up its production schedule for the mid-size tablet, but notes the information is of little use as no rumors have surfaced pertaining to the next-gen mini's release.
It appears that Texas Instruments, referred to as "TXN" in Freedman's note, will build on its already important presence as a component supplier for future iDevice products. It remains unclear what "new suppliers" will be added to the roster, though Apple has reportedly been looking for ways to diversify the supply of crucial internal components away from rival Samsung.
The report comes on the heels of a separate rumor that claimed Apple will be focusing its efforts on bumping the next-gen iPad mini's screen resolution to be more in line with current Retina display offerings like the fourth-generation iPad and iPhone 5.
Apple is still in the midst of completing a worldwide rollout, most recently debuting the 7.9-inch tablet to the Chinese market at the start of December. It was reported on Tuesday that the Chinese Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center granted network licenses for cellular-enabled versions of the iPad mini, with the units though to be launching soon through Apple partner carriers China Unicom and China Telecom.
Comments
Then it MUST be true.
Yo Mr. Freeman:
Originally Posted by PhilBoogie
Yo Mr. Freeman:
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX
I still think Retina is unlikely with the same size and weight until 2014 because of Rogue 6 and the trailing year for the iPad mini ASIC but I hope I'm wrong.
I also think retina is unlikely, mainly because retina is actually the only advantage of the $499 standard iPad now compared to the mini, and so there's no incentive for Apple to kill it's higher margin/revenue per unit product.
But a premium mini model that cost $429 for 16gb with a close to 1080p display (and software update to downscale retina back to that resolution)? That'd be my bet.
Lol! Seems like some serious DOJ action needs to hit on these so called anal-yst's lately who seems to suspiciously put out a report that "Apple is pushing up production of the next iPad mini" retorts... Wasn't it just last week that "the iPhone 5s" is going into production for an early release?
Seems to me this is either Samsung or others who use this "hold and bait strategy" trying to blunt Apples sales..No different than "anal-yst's" calling sales figures and projections based on little or no factoid.
I mean how do you guess that the iPhone 5 isn't selling well based on rumors of lowered parts orders for next quarter? And how is it that they are worried about lowered margins when there is no historical data on the mini as of yet? I mean if the mini sells double projections but the iPad 4 sells a bit less, margins won't be affected one bit because of VOLUME. Add in the iPad 2... Technically this is the first holiday season of THREE iPad models being avail. Duh. Not one anal-yst mentions that metric. Duh.
From my own checks at retail and around circles here in L.A. The 5 and minis are selling incredibly well in fact. It seems the mini is getting a delayed buzz once it's target market saw it, bought it, and n fact loved it -- to the dismay of oh so many that said it would flop - suffering from retin-itis. I seriously think Apples playbook is working just fine actually.
Quote:
Originally Posted by drobforever
I also think retina is unlikely, mainly because retina is actually the only advantage of the $499 standard iPad now compared to the mini, and so there's no incentive for Apple to kill it's higher margin/revenue per unit product.
But a premium mini model that cost $429 for 16gb with a close to 1080p display (and software update to downscale retina back to that resolution)? That'd be my bet.
Apple won’t saddle devs with some weird or non-sharply-doubled res: the Mini is the same DPI as the iPhone 3GS. The retina Mini (some day) will be the same DPI (and probably re-use the same manufacturing process) as the iPhone 4-5 screen. Identical res to the larger iPad (much greater than 1080p).
But I agree that it’s not coming soon, much as I want it!
You have a good solution for the price problem—make it a high end model but keep non-retina models on the low end. Just like Apple does with the iPad itself (and used to with the iPhone). But I think it will work this way:
- Current iPad Mini drops in price to become a new low-end price point. Apple loves to have their cheaper models be “designed for free” by re-using previous higher-end models. Which makes a lot of sense.
- Retina iPad Mini will take over the current price points.
As for timing? I CAN believe Apple MIGHT shift to a 6-month product cycle, but I don’t think a Mini with retina will come in 6 months. Even a year would surprise me: I predict 2014. The Mini demands not just a low price, but battery life—and battery life with a SMALL (thin and light) battery. Hard to make that happen with a power-hungry retina display AND the GPU needed to make it drive all those pixels fast. Apple will meet that challenge (the iPhone 5 already seems impossible on those same issues) but I’m pessimistic about the timing. Next fall at the earliest, I say; Fall 2104 at the latest. Spring 2014 likely.
I’d love to be wrong because I need a 128GB retina Mini in the worst way....
I'm still holding that a 2nd gen iPad Mini will use a 28nm A6 (either a 28nm Samsung shrink or a 28nm TSMC test chip) with a 1024x768 IPS screen but laminated to the cover glass and with full color gamut and increased contrast to cut reflections and enable each pixel to be more distinct even though there aren't more of them.
March 2013 when iPads normally are released would be too short (only 5 months). I'm guessing a pulled in release means a June WWDC launch. I could see an iPad 5 with A7 and Rogue and an A6 iPad Mini 2 coming out in June. That'll be a 8 month product cycle which is similar to the cycle seen between the iPad 3 and 4.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sr2012
Man, Apple is all over the shop. Not good. Glad I'm switching to Android.
"switching"?? You mean like in the near future??
Man, based on your post history Mr. Drive-by Fandroid Troll, you can't even troll properly. Buzz off.
PRODUCT RELEASE MONTH
iPadMini March
iPad October
I hate to think so, 'cause I skipped iPad 3 & 4 because of the weight & the long charge times.
If I have to wait until October 2013 for iPad 5,
then that means I'll be stuck using a 2-generation old iPad for almost another year ....
I mean, don't get me wrong -- my iPad 2 has served me quite well.
It even runs the latest graphically intensive [like the highly disappointing "Modern Combat 4", for example
& presumably, "Real Racing 3"] games flawlessly.
It's just that, you know ....
If I don't have the latest iPad, I feel left out, somehow.
Plus, 2 1/2 years using the same iPad's wayyy too long.
His name is Mr. Doug FreeDman. The analyst.LOL, have you actually seen my post history? "Switching" because I have an iPad3, iPhone5, iPhone4. Now using my Xperia S as my main phone and Nexus 7 as main tablet. Still using Mac for computer.
Hence in the process of switching, still learning a lot about Android.
Did I call anyone names? No, just discussing what's going on.
In reference to the iPad mini, what does it say that Apple themselves are perhaps concerned the iPad mini may not face the challenges of 7" Android tablets coming out 2013-2014? Personally I didn't like the iPad mini screen, and without Scott Forstall I am doubtful about iOS improving at a decent rate. Rock solid stable, yes, but starting to become somewhat dated for more-than-casual users.
I await a legitimate response from you.
Time will tell.
I agree with this article, http://www.asymco.com/2012/12/06/does-s-stand-for-spring/ , about semi-annual refresh rates on iDevices going forward. Time will tell, but I hope this pans out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gijoeinla
Lol! Seems like some serious DOJ action needs to hit on these so called anal-yst's lately who seems to suspiciously put out a report that "Apple is pushing up production of the next iPad mini" retorts... Wasn't it just last week that "the iPhone 5s" is going into production for an early release?
Seems to me this is either Samsung or others who use this "hold and bait strategy" trying to blunt Apples sales..No different than "anal-yst's" calling sales figures and projections based on little or no factoid.
I mean how do you guess that the iPhone 5 isn't selling well based on rumors of lowered parts orders for next quarter? And how is it that they are worried about lowered margins when there is no historical data on the mini as of yet? I mean if the mini sells double projections but the iPad 4 sells a bit less, margins won't be affected one bit because of VOLUME. Add in the iPad 2... Technically this is the first holiday season of THREE iPad models being avail. Duh. Not one anal-yst mentions that metric. Duh.
From my own checks at retail and around circles here in L.A. The 5 and minis are selling incredibly well in fact. It seems the mini is getting a delayed buzz once it's target market saw it, bought it, and n fact loved it -- to the dismay of oh so many that said it would flop - suffering from retin-itis. I seriously think Apples playbook is working just fine actually.
Many good & interesting points, i think they are anal-ysts because of where they get their information
what bugs me is something i read everywhere online, random places.
The sill idea that, what has apple done to innovate in phones & tablets?, big deal, the iPad mini is just a small iPad 2, but that samsung are real market leaders, the galaxy S3 (even tho everything about it was predictable by the rest of the android market) was somehow a cool & new idea (even tho 2 weeks earlier the HTC one X came out, which is the S3 basically cloned)
This seems to be because of samsungs PR. they aren't innovating in anything but the public love them & the word that apple is evil is what people seem to think, apple need to work on this, pretty badly, its hitting sales i think.
Samsung use new media, facebook & stuff pretty well, word of mouth, everyone wants to be different & apple is 'the man' apparently, everyone wants to be unique but they go about it the same way
You guys might think im nuts, but this is what im seeing around me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Zozman
They put the Anal in Analyst...
That's clever. Never heard that one before.