The uncertainty over the launch of Retina iPad mini continues.
So far we have heard contradictory reports, some reports have suggested that Apple is indeed gearing up to launch an iPad mini with Retina Display this year, whereas some have cautioned that the Retina iPad mini will be launched only at the beginning of next year.
Reuters now reports that Apple may not launch the Retina iPad mini in 2013 due to supply constraints of Retina Displays. The report claims that Apple supplier have only started gearing up to make Retina displays, which indicates that Retina iPad mini will either be in limited supply if it is launched this year, or Apple may delay the launch to next year.
The report also notes that Apple is planning to launch an iPad mini with 8GB. We’re assuming that this would be a version of the current generation iPad mini, which will be offered as the entry-level iPad for $249 to $279 price range, when the next generation iPad mini is launched.
Frankly, I can’t see how Apple can launch a new iPad mini without Retina Display (163 pixels-per-inch) when you already have tablets like Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HDX that come with much better display (323 pixels-per-inch). If Apple has to keep the competition at bay and cash in on the year-end holiday shopping season, then it will have to launch a Retina iPad mini.
It is also difficult to believe that Apple will run into supply constraints for a product it probably started planning for last year. Every year before the launch of an Apple product, we hear reports of supply constraints, but they usually turn out to be wrong (except in the case of iPhone 5s).
According to rumors, iPad mini 2 will be powered by Apple’s new A7 chip with 1GB RAM and come with Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It may also be available in silver, gold and space gray.
Apple is expected to unveil iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 at a media event later this month.
Would it be a deal breaker if iPad mini 2 does not come with Retina Display? Let me know in the comments.
[Via Reuters]
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