iPad mini iPad minis in this next September release?

[Yebubbleman]

There seem to be two new iPads that are rumored to be launching imminently. Recent rumors heavily suggest that one of them will be the fourth generation iPad Air, that adopts a design very similar to the first and second generation 11" iPad Pros, but with TouchID embedded into the power button in place of FaceID and the TrueDepth camera system. Rumors are scant on what the other one could be. Rumors of an 8.9" iPad mini that effectively uses the same physical dimensions of the current iPad mini, but adopts the same design and systems as the current iPad Pros are out there, but they all seem to peg for a 2021 launch. I'd guess that Apple is not updating the iPad Pros so soon after doing so as they've never done that with an iPad Pro before. So, that leaves an iPad mini launch or an Eighth Generation "iPad".

What do you think is coming? Do you think an iPad mini update is incoming in September?

 

[AutomaticApple]

What do you think is coming? Do you think an iPad mini update is incoming in September?

Well have to wait and see, but rumors have been leaning towards the budget iPad being updated along with the iPad Air. No mention of the iPad mini.

 

[james10in]

Yeah budget Ipad makes more sense for now, there is nothing new which can be added to the mini except to increase the screen size nd maybe to go usb c.. A13 for mini version would certainly kill Air 3 altogether, so I think mini is here to stay for another 6-8 months

 

[tranceking26]

Don't think there's been any rumours of a new one yet.

 

[joeblow7777]

I don't think so. I've seen some wishful thinking, but no solid leaks for what would likely be an all new form factor, and the Mini line doesn't seem to get updated that often anymore. I think that this fall will likely bring an 8th gen baseline iPad, and maybe a new Air, but I don't think that a Mini is coming yet.

 

[Yebubbleman]

Yeah budget Ipad makes more sense for now, there is nothing new which can be added to the mini except to increase the screen size nd maybe to go usb c.. A13 for mini version would certainly kill Air 3 altogether, so I think mini is here to stay for another 6-8 months

Don't think there's been any rumours of a new one yet.

There are rumors of an 8.9" mini that has been given the 11" iPad Pro treatment (in relation to the 10.5" iPad Pro before it). But those all suggest that such a change is coming next year. I agree that there's nothing to suggest that it's coming imminently, but it would be odd to update any of the iPads without going to A13 unless the whole point was to transition to this new design (for compatibility with the Magic Keyboard). And updating to A13 is, itself, odd when the pro line is still on a form of A12.

I don't think so. I've seen some wishful thinking, but no solid leaks for what would likely be an all new form factor, and the Mini line doesn't seem to get updated that often anymore. I think that this fall will likely bring an 8th gen baseline iPad, and maybe a new Air, but I don't think that a Mini is coming yet.

I'm inclined to agree with you that we're not getting an updated mini in September, but the mini is the only iPad for which I've seen any solid rumors for (albeit all of them suggest next year for a launch date). I suppose we heard some of the rumors for the fourth gen Air a bit back, but with nowhere near as much consistency.

 

[james10in]

There are rumors of an 8.9" mini that has been given the 11" iPad Pro treatment (in relation to the 10.5" iPad Pro before it). But those all suggest that such a change is coming next year. I agree that there's nothing to suggest that it's coming imminently, but it would be odd to update any of the iPads without going to A13 unless the whole point was to transition to this new design (for compatibility with the Magic Keyboard). And updating to A13 is, itself, odd when the pro line is still on a form of A12.



I'm inclined to agree with you that we're not getting an updated mini in September, but the mini is the only iPad for which I've seen any solid rumors for (albeit all of them suggest next year for a launch date). I suppose we heard some of the rumors for the fourth gen Air a bit back, but with nowhere near as much consistency.

to your last bit, that's what I was thinking until yesterday, and then this air 4 leak came out and I believe this is the best one can ever expect in terms of a 'leak'.

anyway part of me believes that if Apple is anyway going to release this power button touch id thing then this can't be just a press release, it has to be there in the event.

so maybe Ipad 8 in September 2nd week nd Air 4 later in October

Alleged iPad Air 4 Manual Depicts All-Screen Display With Touch ID Built into Power Button

Photos of an alleged leaked manual for an unreleased iPad Air have emerged on social media this morning suggesting Apple's next middle-tier iPad...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Digitalguy]

the only strong rumors in terms of dates are for the entry level ipad early September. Based on how weak the other rumors are in terms of dates, I wouldn't expect even the air to arrive before 2021, let alone the mini.... Also Apple is not going to use A13 for anything other than iphones, as they did with A11. So unless they stay with A12 or refresh the pro with A14X during the Apple Silicon event (both of which are rather unlikely), we'll have Air, mini an pro next year with A14 and A14X (which is probably better for everyone). A plausible rumor is that the price of the Air is going up to $650 after the redesign, that includes quad speakers too, and I wouldn't be surprised if the price of the new mini goes up to 449 or even 499

 

[ericwn]

I also think a new entry level iPad is coming. I’d love to see a mini Pro one day though.

 

[spiderman0616]

I think it's entry level models with the same basic design they've always had and then new iPad Air with no bezels and Pencil 2 compatibility. That's the only thing that really makes sense to me, especially because the 2020 Pros are still selling like hotcakes right now.

 

[James Godfrey]

There are 7 models of iPads imminent...

I think it’s quite clear the iPad Air and the regular iPad are on the cards but there is that mystery surrounding the 7th model... I think it’s going to go one of two ways...

Firstly

1. iPad Air Wifi
2. iPad Air Cellular
3. iPad WiFi
4. iPad Cellular
5. iPad Mini WiFi
6. iPad Mini Cellular
7. ??? I think and iPad X

or

1. iPad Air Wifi 11”
2. iPad Air Cellular 11”
3. iPad Air WiFi 12.9”
4. iPad Air Cellular 12.9”
5. iPad Wifi
6. iPad Cellular
7. ???

I think the second is more plausible as the leaks suggest the iPad Air is compatible with the Magic Keyboard, so why not release two sizes of the Air... I think an X model is on the cards to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of iPad

 

[Digitalguy]

There are 7 models of iPads imminent...

I think it’s quite clear the iPad Air and the regular iPad are on the cards but there is that mystery surrounding the 7th model... I think it’s going to go one of two ways...

Firstly

1. iPad Air Wifi
2. iPad Air Cellular
3. iPad WiFi
4. iPad Cellular
5. iPad Mini WiFi
6. iPad Mini Cellular
7. ??? I think and iPad X

or

1. iPad Air Wifi 11”
2. iPad Air Cellular 11”
3. iPad Air WiFi 12.9”
4. iPad Air Cellular 12.9”
5. iPad Wifi
6. iPad Cellular
7. ???

I think the second is more plausible as the leaks suggest the iPad Air is compatible with the Magic Keyboard, so why not release two sizes of the Air... I think an X model is on the cards to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of iPad

I wouldn't speculate too much on this... There are generally more than one cellular model (global version, China-only version etc.) Ipads have at least 3 model numbers per "type" (budget, air, mini, pro 11, pro 12.9) sometimes even 4.... With 7 model numbers it's very unlikely to be more than 2 new ipads

 

[Yebubbleman]

to your last bit, that's what I was thinking until yesterday, and then this air 4 leak came out and I believe this is the best one can ever expect in terms of a 'leak'.

anyway part of me believes that if Apple is anyway going to release this power button touch id thing then this can't be just a press release, it has to be there in the event.

so maybe Ipad 8 in September 2nd week nd Air 4 later in October

Alleged iPad Air 4 Manual Depicts All-Screen Display With Touch ID Built into Power Button

Photos of an alleged leaked manual for an unreleased iPad Air have emerged on social media this morning suggesting Apple's next middle-tier iPad...

www.macrumors.com

The third generation Air was enough to warrant a press event. Same with the fifth generation iPad mini (which most had lost hope for). Similarly, the 16" MacBook Pro warranted a keynote, but didn't get one. I think we won't get an event for the Air 4 even with this kind of release; especially since Apple is clearly marketing FaceID as being the future of iOS and iPadOS devices.

I'm more curious as to how Apple is going to make it so that the Air 4 doesn't cannibalize the 11" Pro. Certainly, they'd need to do a lot (in terms of either pricing for the former or features for the latter) to differentiate the two.

the only strong rumors in terms of dates are for the entry level ipad early September. Based on how weak the other rumors are in terms of dates, I wouldn't expect even the air to arrive before 2021, let alone the mini.... Also Apple is not going to use A13 for anything other than iphones, as they did with A11. So unless they stay with A12 or refresh the pro with A14X during the Apple Silicon event (both of which are rather unlikely), we'll have Air, mini an pro next year with A14 and A14X (which is probably better for everyone). A plausible rumor is that the price of the Air is going up to $650 after the redesign, that includes quad speakers too, and I wouldn't be surprised if the price of the new mini goes up to 449 or even 499

Apple has given iPads older X-variant A series SoCs than contemporary iPhones. So, that's not totally out of the question. Though, they likely wouldn't release an A13 based Air 4 or mini 6 or 8th Gen iPad while there is still an A12Z iPad Pro. They can slap an A11 or A12 into the 8th Generation iPad and have it be a meaningful enough update, with or without an 11" iPad Pro style design update. A fourth generation iPad Air, if not having an A13 or A14, won't be that meaningful of an update apart from switching to the 11" iPad Pro design. Not saying that isn't enough, but the most important feature of any iPad is its SoC.

 

[Digitalguy]

The third generation Air was enough to warrant a press event. Same with the fifth generation iPad mini (which most had lost hope for). Similarly, the 16" MacBook Pro warranted a keynote, but didn't get one. I think we won't get an event for the Air 4 even with this kind of release; especially since Apple is clearly marketing FaceID as being the future of iOS and iPadOS devices.

I'm more curious as to how Apple is going to make it so that the Air 4 doesn't cannibalize the 11" Pro. Certainly, they'd need to do a lot (in terms of either pricing for the former or features for the latter) to differentiate the two.



Apple has given iPads older X-variant A series SoCs than contemporary iPhones. So, that's not totally out of the question. Though, they likely wouldn't release an A13 based Air 4 or mini 6 or 8th Gen iPad while there is still an A12Z iPad Pro. They can slap an A11 or A12 into the 8th Generation iPad and have it be a meaningful enough update, with or without an 11" iPad Pro style design update. A fourth generation iPad Air, if not having an A13 or A14, won't be that meaningful of an update apart from switching to the 11" iPad Pro design. Not saying that isn't enough, but the most important feature of any iPad is its SoC.

They could simply give ipad 8th A12 and call it an upgrade and give ipad air the the pro form factor and leave it on A12 too. The latter is what they did with ipad 7th gen. People were shocked at first by then they accepted it, especially with the additional RAM. And by the way this could be a way to keep the price at 499... (64GB, A12, no quad speakers) However if they give the air both the external upgrade and the A14 (again, we'll see, but I am very confident they'll move to A14, not A13), they will likely bump up the price to $650, as some rumors say, especially with quad speakers, which does make sense in order not to cannibalize the pro. Problem is there is too much wishful thinking and people don't want to believe Apple could increase the price of the air, but they still want the pro features 499.... and then they say "I wonder how Apple will do to avoid cannibalizing the pro..." Apple will not, they will either keep it much inferior, or, which I hope, bump up the price and make it closer to the pro 11 (minus RAM, pro-motion, cameras and lider, face id, which by the way not everyone sees as a plus..., and maybe different base storage). Still too close to the pro? Not necessarily... when pro apps arrive, RAM may be a deciding factor, cutting off any 4GB or lower device from those apps....

 

[Yebubbleman]

They could simply give ipad 8th A12 and call it an upgrade and give ipad air the the pro form factor and leave it on A12 too. The latter is what they did with ipad 7th gen. People were shocked at first by then they accepted it, especially with the additional RAM. And by the way this could be a way to keep the price at 499... (64GB, A12, no quad speakers) However if they give the air both the external upgrade and the A14 (again, we'll see, but I am very confident they'll move to A14, not A13), they will likely bump up the price to $650, as some rumors say, especially with quad speakers, which does make sense in order not to cannibalize the pro. Problem is there is too much wishful thinking and people don't want to believe Apple could increase the price of the air, but they still want the pro features 499.... and then they say "I wonder how Apple will do to avoid cannibalizing the pro..." Apple will not, they will either keep it much inferior, or, which I hope, bump up the price and make it closer to the pro 11 (minus RAM, pro-motion, cameras and lider, face id, which by the way not everyone sees as a plus..., and maybe different base storage). Still too close to the pro? Not necessarily... when pro apps arrive, RAM may be a deciding factor, cutting off any 4GB or lower device from those apps....

The RAM upgrade going from 6th to 7th gen on the iPad front is not insubstantial. But I see your point. It's just odd positioning the Air as a cheapened 11" Pro instead of now where it's sort of seen as the flagship legacy design iPad option, especially since the third generation Air was born out of Apple keeping the 10.5" iPad Pro in the line alongside the first generation 11" Pro and third generation 12.9" Pro. Having five models of iPad makes sense from the standpoint of having iPad models at every price point from $329 through $1600 territory, though, I'd probably much rather they just reduce pricing on the 11" iPad Pros to make them closer to the Air's price point.

 

[Digitalguy]

The RAM upgrade going from 6th to 7th gen on the iPad front is not insubstantial. But I see your point. It's just odd positioning the Air as a cheapened 11" Pro instead of now where it's sort of seen as the flagship legacy design iPad option, especially since the third generation Air was born out of Apple keeping the 10.5" iPad Pro in the line alongside the first generation 11" Pro and third generation 12.9" Pro. Having five models of iPad makes sense from the standpoint of having iPad models at every price point from $329 through $1600 territory, though, I'd probably much rather they just reduce pricing on the 11" iPad Pros to make them closer to the Air's price point.

It's not impossible.... Apple could just face out the 11in pro an turn it into an improved air and leave the 12.9 as the only pro (as the first pro in 2015, for now at least, maybe a larger pro could be coming later...). And then the $650 price would make sense, since it would be exactly half way between the $320 ipad and the $1000 12.9.... At that point, how to differentiate the 12.9 from the 11?
Maybe mini LED to try to compete with Oled, A14X vs A14, more RAM (8GB) to work with future improved multitasking and pro apps. It's just one possible scenario.... But some rumors last year were mentioning mini LED coming to only the 12.9.... And maybe even the fact that there is a logitech keyboard only for the 11in and not for the 12.9.... And last but not least, what better way to avoid cannibalising the 11 pro than just merging it with the air....

 

[sonicrobby]

I’m very trusting in Kuo’s leaks, so I tend to not anticipate the mini until spring 2021. I think we will see a new base model iPad update with those screen consuming bezels and an antique home button to keep that lower $329 Price option

 

[Nautilus007]

As much as I would love to see a new iPad mini with a new body style, I find it unlikely due to no chassis leaks. I think this will just be a replacement for the 10.2 iPad and they will discontinue the air.

 

[joeblow7777]

As much as I would love to see a new iPad mini with a new body style, I find it unlikely due to no chassis leaks. I think this will just be a replacement for the 10.2 iPad and they will discontinue the air.

Why do you think they'll discontinue the Air? That's the opposite of what the latest leaks/rumours suggest, and the Air fills a rather large gap between the "budget" model and the Pros.

 

[trevpimp]

I actually have not seen many rumors of any products lately. Leads me to think we might have something coming from Apple. This is how they hyped up products back in the day they kept rumors at a minimum and when the day of presenting products actually came they pull us in with all of these surprises so Im hoping its one of those times.

 

[richinaus]

Why do you think they'll discontinue the Air? That's the opposite of what the latest leaks/rumours suggest, and the Air fills a rather large gap between the "budget" model and the Pros.

I personally think the ‘air’ models in all categories should go, and stick to a more basic spread of a 2 x 2 grid.
macbook + macbook pro
Ipad + ipad pro

and have the size variations in each.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I actually have not seen many rumors of any products lately.

What about the iPad Air 4 manual leak?

 

[trevpimp]

What about the iPad Air 4 manual leak?

..Which is actually a big change coming from the iPad Air 3 so cheers to that

hoping spec wise we have more

 

[Apple_Robert]

I believe you will see a new iPad mini released shortly.

 

[sracer]

There seem to be two new iPads that are rumored to be launching imminently. Recent rumors heavily suggest that one of them will be the fourth generation iPad Air, that adopts a design very similar to the first and second generation 11" iPad Pros, but with TouchID embedded into the power button in place of FaceID and the TrueDepth camera system. Rumors are scant on what the other one could be. Rumors of an 8.9" iPad mini that effectively uses the same physical dimensions of the current iPad mini, but adopts the same design and systems as the current iPad Pros are out there, but they all seem to peg for a 2021 launch. I'd guess that Apple is not updating the iPad Pros so soon after doing so as they've never done that with an iPad Pro before. So, that leaves an iPad mini launch or an Eighth Generation "iPad".

What do you think is coming? Do you think an iPad mini update is incoming in September?

No. The iPad Mini is on a different refresh cycle from the rest of the iPads. That is because they are highly valued in vertical markets.

The iPad Mini is not primarily targeted at general consumers.