10.8-inch iPad in 2020, 9-inch iPad mini in early 2021 says Ming-Chi Kuo

Apple's iPad Air, or the seventh-generation iPad may see a refresh soon

Ming-Chi Kuo has returned with his latest predictions about Apple products, and sees a new iPad and iPad mini model coming soon, both using Apple's best silicon.

In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider TF Securities Ming-Chi Kuo is predicting two new iPads to ship in the next year. Kuo believes that the second-half of 2020 will see a new 10.8-inch iPad, and a new iPad mini with a screen size between 8.5 inches and 9 inches will arrive in the first half of calendar year 2021.

Kuo predicts that the releases will "follow iPhone SE's product strategy." Specifically, he says that the models will be affordable, and adopt Apple's "fast chips" similar to how the iPhone SE used the chip found in the flagship iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models from the fall of 2019.

It isn't clear if the larger iPad will be a refresh of the iPad Air (possibly called "iPad Air 4") or the mainline iPad. A discussion of an iPhone SE approach suggests the latter, more than the former. The iPad Air and iPad mini were both last updated in March, while the 10.5-inch iPad was refreshed in September 2019

Apple will reportedly turn to long-time Apple supplier GIS for the touch panel.

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15 Comments

multimedia

said about 3 years ago

Looks like the 2021 mini will use Face ID so the screen can be an inch larger diagonal without increasing the physical size of the device. I’m all in for that model.

aderutter

said about 3 years ago

Hmmm

even the current iPad Pro doesn’t use the A13, so best silicon in the base level model...?

At the moment it’s A12z, A12 or A10 (pro, air/mini, base). That base model does look like it’s due an update, but the mini already has an A12...

I want an iPad with an A13

hentaiboy

said about 3 years ago

The iPad screen size creep amuses me. Just like the car industry - each new generation is “more roomy!” and then the manufacturer is forced to develop a brand new model at the same size as the original.

Also when will screen manufacturers start using the metric system?

anome

said about 3 years ago

hentaiboy said:

The iPad screen size creep amuses me. Just like the car industry - each new generation is “more roomy!” and then the manufacturer is forced to develop a brand new model at the same size as the original.

Also when will screen manufacturers start using the metric system?

It's always amusing to compare a 60s Corolla with a modern one. I guess, ultimately, the iPhone Plus or Max size will take over from the old iPad mini, and they'll have to bring in an iPhone or iPod Nano at the bottom end.

Screen manufacturers are using the metric system, in many markets, I think Imperial measurements are sticking around because of the prevalence of US companies selling the things, plus some holdouts in Britain etc who still think in "the old money".

dewme

said about 3 years ago

If Apple can deliver a new iPad Mini with the same or very similar overall case dimensions and weight as the 5th Gen but with an edge-to-edge screen and Face Id I'll be ready to buy one on Day 1. USB-C support would be icing on the cake so you can plug into an external dock with 4K monitor, keyboard, storage, high speed networking, etc.

I came very close to buying a 5th Gen Mini but the outdated design with the chubby bezels makes it feel like a retrograde purchase that I would too soon regret. Granted, the 5th Gen iPad Mini is a superlative performer and has a beautiful screen, and it's still the only iPad that I'd want to carry around with me everywhere, but there's simply no way to hide the fact that its design is nearly 8 years old at this point.

The iPad Mini deserves more love from Apple's design studio, and we deserve a better iPad Mini, unless of course Apple is planning to keep growing iPhone Max models up to iPad Mini sized contraptions.