Next-generation 'budget' iPad rumored to retain Touch ID, headphone jack
Rumors from Asian suppliers aired Friday suggest Apple's 7th generation iPad will sport an enclosure design identical to the current 9.7-inch iPad, complete with Touch ID biometric authentication and a headphone jack.
Apple's 6th-generation iPad.
Citing sources who conduct business through Alibaba, Mac Otakara reports Apple has no plans to revamp the design of its 9.7-inch "budget" iPad, a model manufactured with the education market in mind.
At least one supplier believes a 10-inch model is on the way, but that specification has not yet been confirmed. The rumor is in line with predictions from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in February said the low-end tablet would hit market with a 10.2-inch screen. Whether Apple intends to increase the size of iPad's chassis, or squeeze the larger display into the 9.7-inch version's enclosure, remains to be seen.
As with last year's refresh, the 2019 iPad will reportedly retain older technology like Touch ID, presumably in a bid to lower build costs. Apple swapped out the fingerprint-based authentication tech for Face ID in its top-of-the-line iPad Pro seres in 2018.
Apple's next-generation iPad will also incorporate a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, Mac Otakara sources said. The headphone jack is an endangered species in Apple's mobile product ecosystem, first removed in 2016's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and most recently seeing deletion from iPad Pro in 2018.
Today's report did not specify whether Apple intends to rely on Lightning or USB-C for charging and data connectivity.
Finally, supplier sources claim Apple could release the 7th generation iPad alongside an "iPad mini 5" model also rumored to be in development. A release date was not provided, though recent government filings hint that an unveiling could occur in the coming weeks.
The rumors suggest Apple's upcoming refresh will include only minor internal component upgrades. Kuo in his note to investors last month predicted as much, saying both the "budget" iPad and "iPad mini 5" would benefit from faster processors.
Apple's 6th-generation iPad.
Citing sources who conduct business through Alibaba, Mac Otakara reports Apple has no plans to revamp the design of its 9.7-inch "budget" iPad, a model manufactured with the education market in mind.
At least one supplier believes a 10-inch model is on the way, but that specification has not yet been confirmed. The rumor is in line with predictions from noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in February said the low-end tablet would hit market with a 10.2-inch screen. Whether Apple intends to increase the size of iPad's chassis, or squeeze the larger display into the 9.7-inch version's enclosure, remains to be seen.
As with last year's refresh, the 2019 iPad will reportedly retain older technology like Touch ID, presumably in a bid to lower build costs. Apple swapped out the fingerprint-based authentication tech for Face ID in its top-of-the-line iPad Pro seres in 2018.
Apple's next-generation iPad will also incorporate a 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, Mac Otakara sources said. The headphone jack is an endangered species in Apple's mobile product ecosystem, first removed in 2016's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, and most recently seeing deletion from iPad Pro in 2018.
Today's report did not specify whether Apple intends to rely on Lightning or USB-C for charging and data connectivity.
Finally, supplier sources claim Apple could release the 7th generation iPad alongside an "iPad mini 5" model also rumored to be in development. A release date was not provided, though recent government filings hint that an unveiling could occur in the coming weeks.
The rumors suggest Apple's upcoming refresh will include only minor internal component upgrades. Kuo in his note to investors last month predicted as much, saying both the "budget" iPad and "iPad mini 5" would benefit from faster processors.
Comments
I'm also glad to see the mini 5 will also be coming soon. I'm an iPad mini person, and the only question mark I have is if the mini 5 will have the pencil. Give me that, and I'm *sold*.
This is also one of a few reasons after gettting my iPad Pro following my new MacBook Pro that I want the iPhone to move to USB-C — in addition to one charger to rule them all.
The lower cost iPads are more than enough for many of us. I have not come to any limitations on my 2017 that cost $249 on a 2017 Black Friday deal. The base model is a sweet spot at regular prices, a giveaway at sale prices.
It makes little sense to expect iPad Pro specs in an introductory level priced standard iPad.
No 3.5mm analog audio output renders any iPad useless for my needs.
Cant wait for a Mini 5.
The headphone jack adds cost, why bring it back?
Anything aimed at the education market needs to retain the audio jack, as the alternatives are far too costly for a school.
youre getting a previous generation or refurbished iPad Pro at that price point.
I do have to say though, after holding out with my iPad Air 2 for about 5 years I finally upgraded to the new 11 inch iPad Pro and it is an incredible upgrade, for the 120Hz refresh rate alone. I’ll likely keep this one for another 5 years or more.
On that same note, someone (Apple?) should come up with a service where you can donate your unused EarPods included with your iPhone. My wife and I both upgrade to new iPhones every year and we both have AirPods and Bose QC35s, making the EarPods unneeded. I can’t tell you how many EarPods we’ve tried to give away over the years and ended up throwing in the garbage because no one needs them. I know there are countless other people out there like us.
When the Gen6 iPad was introduced education was given by Apple as its primary target. The Gen7 will need to reaffirm that thrust and expand on it -- and a critical part of that will be making it what Apple has been promising for years: A laptop killer. But, until they give it an external keyboard with a cursor, that is simply not going to happen. Instead it will continue to be restricted to outputting content, artsy stuff and pre-formatted input.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/20/18232113/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus-fingerprint-sensor-screen-reader-ultrasonic-protector
keeping it in an existing product isn’t the same as doing a reversal tho.