Apple may very well be making ready to launch a seventh-generation iPad mini earlier than the top of the 12 months, primarily based on a brand new report by DigiTimes.
In an article discussing stagnating international pill demand within the second half of 2023, the Taiwan-based outlet forecasts an uptick in Apple’s share of the market owing to orders for a “small-size” iPad within the fourth quarter. From the report (see daring):
Within the second quarter, iPad shipments had a sequential decline larger than these of non-iPad tablets, leading to iPads’ mixed cargo share seeing two consecutive quarters of decline. Nonetheless, the share will steadily decide up throughout the second half due to Apple’s stock replenishment wants within the third quarter and orders for a brand new small-size iPad within the fourth quarter, the figures present.
DigiTimes obtains its info from the suppliers who manufacture components for iPhones and different Apple merchandise. Its sources usually present dependable info, however the website has a blended observe file with regards to deciphering that info and precisely deciphering Apple’s plans. It’s usually finest to view info from the location with some skepticism till the data is corroborated by further sources, particularly with regards to rumors.
That mentioned, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman earlier this 12 months reported that an iPad mini replace with a minor “spec bump” just isn’t out of the query. Final month, the leaker referred to as “ShrimpApplePro” additionally recommended a seventh-generation iPad mini was within the works at Apple, and mentioned that they’d seen proof that no less than one new iPad mannequin is coming this 12 months.
Nonetheless, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo in January mentioned he believes that the seventh-generation iPad mini is probably to start mass manufacturing within the first quarter of 2024, and Kuo lately mentioned he doesn’t anticipate any new iPad fashions this 12 months.
If something occurs earlier than the vacations, a chip improve will be the probably function of a brand new iPad mini. The sixth-generation iPad mini at the moment comprises the A15 Bionic chip, whereas the brand new iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional use the A16 and A17 Professional chip, respectively. A minor spec bump might additionally embody upgrades to the entrance and rear cameras, doubtlessly bringing options like Photonic Engine to the iPad for the primary time.
The most recent iPad Professional fashions introduced connectivity upgrades like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 to the iPad for the primary time, so it appears extremely probably that these capabilities can even make their approach to the iPad mini within the subsequent replace.