Mikey Campbell
Adding its voice to a gathering storm of "iPad mini 2" rumors, Reuters on Wednesday reported Apple's suppliers have only recently started ramping up production of the device's Retina displays, suggesting an anticipated rollout could be pushed back into 2014.
Citing supply chain sources, Reuters claims Apple will face severe supply constraints if it chooses to debut the Retina display "iPad mini 2" this year, prompting speculation that the company may delay the tablet's launch until after the lucrative holiday shopping season.
The sources said Apple planned to reveal the second-generation mini later this month, but suppliers of the high-resolution Retina display panels bound for the device have been holding up production. Current Apple display suppliers LG Display, Samsung and Sharp reportedly vied for the contract, though the final order breakdown is unknown.
According to the publication, the production delay is due in part to Apple's requirement that display makers deliver panels which operate within strict power-saving parameters. One of the main concerns with using a power-hungry Retina display in a small form factor tablet is its toll on battery life, an area where the current iPad mini shines.
With the certification issues apparently solved, screen manufacturers are said to be ramping up production, but volumes are not expected to be large enough for a wide rollout until early next year. Sources suspect Apple may wait to launch the next-gen mini until supplies are adequate, or alternatively make the Retina version available in limited quantities later this year.
Finally, one person noted Apple is looking to debut a low-cost version of the 7.9-inch tablet, possibly cutting costs by lowering on-board storage to 8GB and sticking with existing internals.
Wednesday's report lines up perfectly with predictions from KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who in April noted mass production of a Retina iPad mini would likely be delayed until October. Kuo said Apple would face issues with Retina panel yields, which would force a December launch at the earliest. In July, the analyst also reported that Apple would introduce a less expensive iPad mini alongside a higher-spec Retina version with a more powerful A-series SoC, enhanced camera and other component upgrades.
It was previously rumored that the second-generation iPad mini would be unveiled alongside a redesigned 9.7-inch iPad later this month, though today's report casts doubt on the chances of a wide release.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
71 Comments
8GB low cost version? Not going to happen. The savings from cutting off 8GB of flash storage would be negligible, while seriously limiting the usability of the device. If anything, they'll just cut the price of the existing one accordingly and in return ramp up the price for the retina model slightly.
Again the same BS as the iPhone and Appleinsider is going to publish it all over again?
- supply constraints (stock drops),
- leaks (stock drops),
- lack of interest from the public (stock drops),
- interest rises (stock drops),
- release of the device (stock drops),
- bad jokes, Apple is dead, some analyst lose hope on Apple (stock drops),
- Awesome sales proving all previous stuff was a made up lie (stock goes up 2 dollars),
- Analysts analyse lines and amount of time for things to go out of stock ( (stock drops),
- Apple gives amazing numers (stock goes up 2%),
- Analysts are proving wrong, but still attack Apple's numbers (stock drops),
- Nothing happens.... (stock drops).
- Carl Icahn eats (Stock goes up).
repeat.
I plan to be in NYC over new year. Apple better give me some reason to go to the Apple store (besides the 5S of course).
How come other companies don't seem to have a problem making 7-8" tablets with retina like displays? According to AnandTech the new Nexus 7 gets 12 hours battery life. And Apple can produce 3.5", 4" and 9.7" retina displays but somehow 7.9" is impossible? Except it will magically become possible in 2014? Either Reuters is full of it or Apple has a real problem.
[quote name="G-News" url="/t/159885/reuters-retina-ipad-mini-may-not-launch-in-2013-due-to-supply-constraints#post_2409675"]8GB low cost version? Not going to happen. The savings from cutting off 8GB of flash storage would be negligible, while seriously limiting the usability of the device. If anything, they'll just cut the price of the existing one accordingly and in return ramp up the price for the retina model slightly.[/quote] Yes this is th dumbest thing I've read. No way will Appe ship a tablet with only 8GB storage. They'd be laughed off the stage, especially considering it would probably sill be more expensive than competitor 16GB devices with retina like displays.