Apple to Debut Tweaked iPad and New “iPad Mini” After iPhone 5 Launch?

iPad Mini Mockup

iPad Mini Mockup

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reported on upcoming 5th gen iPod touch and iPod nano models, and revealed details on the design and internals of the devices. Earlier this week, Kuo also revealed details about the iPad Mini, mentioning that this smaller iPad, along with a tweaked full sized iPad would be released following the announcement of the iPhone 5.

Kuo claims that Apple will likely release the iPhone 5 sometime early on in the September-October timeframe, leaving time for the company to release a tweaked iPad, and the smaller “iPad Mini”. With component shortages and a short sale time, Kuo believes that the unit sales will only be slightly higher than the second quarter.

iPhone 5 to debut in September. But due to in-cell touch panel and casing yield rate limits, ability to offset older models’ shipments decrease will be moderate.

In his report, Kuo went on to estimate that Apple will sell 1.8 million units during the period of its introduction, and will surpass the estimated 13 million units of the full sized iPad in the fourth quarter. The iPad Mini is reportedly going to debut in late September, following an increase in production in August.

Aside from the iPad Mini, Kuo also notes that the full sized iPad will be tweaked, most likely on the internals to reduce cost and adjust thermal issues. Kuo’s claims confirm a report earlier in the year from Digitimes, which suggested that an upcoming iPad refresh would include a thinner enclosure, IGZO display, and technology to address heat dissipation.

Many of the claims addressed by Kuo about the iPad Mini, iPad, iPhone and iPods appear to confirm previous rumors on the web for several weeks. It is very likely that Apple will release an iPhone 5 this fall, followed by a tweaked full sized iPad and even an iPad Mini. However, the finite details about the release remain unknown, such as the IGZO display and thinner profile. The iPad Mini and tweaked iPad are expected during the September/October timeframe, the same time frame for the next generation iPhone and the public release of iOS 6.

{via MacRumors — Image Credit: CiccareseDesign}

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6 Comments on “Apple to Debut Tweaked iPad and New “iPad Mini” After iPhone 5 Launch?”

  1. Griffin Dance

    Looking forward to an upgrade! I got my iPad for graphic design purposes, and i’m very content with my purchase. I love iOS, the retina display, and of course AT&T’s 4G LTE (exceptional coverage here in SanFran).

    1. Karin Bradley

      I’m with you. but that mini iPad has me salivating. Perfect middle ground between small phone and large tablet. so i, too, have AT&T’s 4G LTE (in Dallas) and the retina display is the holy grail, right?

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