Samsung Exec Claims Mini iPad Coming Later This Year
Posted by Michael Nace on Tuesday Mar 13, 2012 Under iPad 3
Breaking news today regarding the rumored “Mini iPad.” According to BGR, an unnamed source from Samsung indicates that the smaller iPad will be released later in the year, based on Apple’s recent ordering of parts from the components manufacturer. Zach Epstein reports: “While speaking with The Korea Times, the anonymous Samsung official said that Apple will likely spend a record $11 billion on Samsung-sourced parts for its various devices in 2012. ‘The amount of the current contract is around $9.7 billion,’ The Korea Times was told.”
Samsung is the current supplier of the new Retina displays for the iPad 3, and is rumored to be producing the display for the sub-9.7 inch Mini iPad, which will most likely feature a 7.85-inch screen. These screen dimensions would put the Mini iPad in the midst of lower-priced tablets, such as the Kindle and Nook, though the Samsung source gave no indication as to a comparative price point for the new Mini iPad.
It is well-known that Steve Jobs was on record as panning the notion of small-screened tablets, arguing that the smaller screen would blur the lines between tablet and smartphone so as to make it difficult to sell both to prospective users. Thus, a 7.85 inch Mini iPad would be a dramatic reversal for Cupertino’s design team in the wake of Jobs’ death.
By Michael Nace
Michael Nace is the Publisher of the iPhone 5 News Blog and iPhone 6 News Blog. He has published articles about the iPhone since 2010.
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March 13th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
I’m assuming that while Jobs was alive there were no plans or designs at Apple for a mini iPad. Would it even be possible for them to design, test, manufacture, etc. an entirely new product in just a year?
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March 13th, 2012 at 8:48 pm
I think that it’s going to replace the iPod touch.
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March 14th, 2012 at 7:59 am
That’ great. I’m for the mini, since that will be an additional product for us consumers to choose among. I love options.
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March 14th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
APPLE!!!! please add a phone icon to the iPad mini!!! that would be the last mobile device i would have to buy for the next 7 years…..(yeah, i know it’s not going to happen but i can wish can’t I?)
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March 15th, 2012 at 12:17 am
They already have an iPad mini? It’s called the iPod touch:D I honestly don’t think Apple needs an iPad mini especially since if the iPhones getting its screen bumped up to 4″+ I’m sure the iPod touch will too, so the iPad mini would just canibilize iPod touch sales. And well know how much Jobs hated 7 inch tablets. Also a Samsung exec saying this (if it were true) would make Apple go crazy! So if it was true I’m sure Samsung wouldn’t go blabbing about to keep a big customer like Apple happy and not switching over completely to Sharp or LG
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April 15th, 2012 at 11:41 am
However, lately that have not been doing “suck” a good job. Please double-check next time
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