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Leaked photos claim to show slightly thicker aluminum shell of iPad mini with Retina display

Thursday, February 21, 2013 · 2:34 pm · 15 Comments

“Multiple photos purporting to be the rear aluminum shell of the second-generation iPad mini have leaked online, showing the next mini to be slightly thicker than the existing model… highly suggestive of the next iPad mini having a Retina display,” John Brownlee reports for Cult of Mac.

“The photos originally come from Chinese site WeiPhone, and while unverified, the site has had some success in the past with component leaks,” Brownlee reports. “They show an iPad mini shell that is slightly thicker than the current iPad mini shell.”

Brownlee reports, “When the third-gen iPad came out with a Retina Display, it saw a similar increase in thickness.”

See the images in the full article here.

Categories: Rumor

Tags: iPad mini, iPad mini with retina display, leaked photos

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Comment Feed

15 Comments

Ryne

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 3:02 pm · Reply

I’ve had 2 iPad Mini’s (replaced 16gb wifi with 32gb wifi+ 4g) and I would actually welcome a slightly thicker one, provided it weighs the same
DeRS

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 3:07 pm · Reply

If the screen’s transistors would be made with IGZO, then it would not require iPad mini to become thicker because of the need of bigger battery. A5X chip made on 20 nm would consume no more power than A5 on 32 nm.

However, if for some reason Apple could not get IGZO screens for iPad mini Retina and/or A5X is still to be made on 32 nm norm, then the increase of battery is needed and then the enclosure will be thicker indeed.
- DeRS
  
  Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 3:17 pm · Reply
  
  To be fair, A5X should not be used on Retina-resolution devices. It is twice slower than needed proportionally. A6X should be; 20 nm version of it would not consume more than 32 nm A5, too.
  - WaterFalls
    
    Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:14 pm · Reply
    
    It would be fantastic to see the A6x processor in the entire line up of Apple devices. I am upset Apple doesn’t do this.
    
    Its ok to offer both (last years processor model) and (present years processor model) as price options.
    - kingmel
      
      Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 10:43 pm · Reply
      
      All things being equal, Tim Taylor got it right (more power!). However, mobile device design is a study in compromises and Apple uses the processor that makes sense for the particular device in terms of performance, thermal dissipation, size, battery life, and cost. If it feels fast enough then it is, regardless of the specs. That said, I agree that it would be wise for Apple to utilize its latest and greatest custom ARM-based CPUs to the maximum extent possible.
- DERP
  
  Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:15 pm · Reply
  
  well pointed, come on Apple lets freakin’ get on this…
- Tessellator
  
  Friday, February 22, 2013 - 8:28 am · Reply
  
  The problem with the “retina mini” is twofold. The first is that quadrupling the pixels requires a large increase in processor load (no matter if you have a 20nm A6X if you are asking it to do 4X the work poser consumption will rise dramatically) This will require a substantially larger battery. (increasing both weight and thickness.
  The second problem is that because of the reduced screen size of the mini the “grain” (DPI) of the mini really is pretty good (even compared to the retina iPad)
  
  The mini is “insanely” great because of it’s size and weight. Take that away (for a small improvement) and it looses a large part of it’s magic. I have no doubt the mini will eventually get a retina display but the technology to do that at the current size and weight (and battery life) won’t exist for at least another year or two.
  - Ryne
    
    Friday, February 22, 2013 - 11:24 am · Reply
    
    It agree completely. It would be interesting to see how long they hold onto the iPad Mini. I think the Mini could hold strong for another year before the need of an upgrade arises
Sdfg

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 4:43 pm · Reply

If the Mini is thicker somebody please toss Tim Cook out the window.
- DERP
  
  Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:11 pm · Reply
  
  the iPad mini with retina screen is only slightly thicker then the iPad mini without retina. Please.
  - Tessellator
    
    Friday, February 22, 2013 - 5:40 pm · Reply
    
    It would have the same processor load as the current iPad (G4) and would assumably have nearly the same battery requirements. Take a look at the retina iPad’s battery, where do you think they are going to put a battery like that in a mini?
- kingmel
  
  Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 10:45 pm · Reply
  
  If a mm makes a difference to you, then you have *real* issues. Besides, as I have stated in the past, I would be happy to trade an additional mm or two for longer battery life.
WaterFalls

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 6:09 pm · Reply

Apple has to start gearing things up here.

A basic upgrade to a retina screen iPad mini is just plain lame.
Add mobile cellular phone services — so the iPad mini is not a tiny iPad but a large iPhone.

Do it now Apple… there is no reason not to do this.

The Google Goggles is gaining momentum.
Metaio today introduces a AR processor chip… to be added to glasses and phones.

Apple… you got to have some great things in the pipeline… whats so wrong in talking about plans for products to the public?
Weekend

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - 7:44 pm · Reply

Okay, it’s going to have a new and improved screen of some type. Hopefully retina. That’s understood. That’s been understood since the iPad Mini came out. Sorry, it’s just not much of a story.
bac

Friday, February 22, 2013 - 9:22 am · Reply

Let’s stop right there! I love the thinness of the iPad mini as is. I’m holding out to see if they lower the price by $30. Even better would be a regular iPad of the same thinness at a $399 price point (minus the retina).