Apple’s new iPad Mini 2 (with Retina display) could be 30% more expensive than current models
By Florin on 19 Feb 13It’s been several months since we first heard that Apple’s next-generation iPad Mini would come with a high-resolution Retina Display (2048 x 1536 pixels). This while its screen size will remain unchanged from the current iPad Mini (pictured below): 7.9 inches.
Sure enough, Apple didn’t confirm the fact that its new mini tablet would indeed have a Retina Display, but more and more rumors are pointing to this anyway.
However, there is a problem: a 7.9 inch Retina Display is obviously more expensive than a 7.9 inch panel with 1024 x 768 pixels, and would also need more powerful LED backlight modules. So Taiwanese website DigiTimes estimates that the iPad Mini 2 production cost will be 30% higher than the production cost of the first-generation iPad Mini (around $188 – for a 16GB Wi-Fi-only unit).
Apple has always kept the price of newer iPhones and iPads on par with the older models’ launch prices. So it will be interesting to see if it can do the same when the iPad Mini 2 arrives. As for when the tablet will be available – mid-2013 is probably a good guess. Nevertheless, we will keep you posted.
In the last quarter, Apple sold a total of 22.9 million iPads – but this includes both 7.9 inch, and 9.7 inch models.
Samsung – one of Apple’s main rivals in the smartphone and tablet market – is readying a direct iPad Mini competitor: the Galaxy Note 8.0, which could be officially announced next week at MWC 2013, coming with a 1280 x 800 pixels display, Samsung’s S Pen technology, and a quad-core processor.
If you liked the post, you might find these interesting too:
- New Apple iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display not coming until October? Cheaper model could be launched earlier
- Apple iPad 5 production to start in July or August
- Apple reportedly ordered 65 to 70 million iPad 3 panels
- iPad Mini mass production set to start in September, announcement may come by October
- Apple: iPad Mini and iPad 4 sales reach 3 million units in the first week-end
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