iOS 7 Beta Suggests Non-Retina A6-Powered iPad Mini in Development

According to the iOS 7 beta, Apple is testing a new iPad mini model that includes an A6 chip -- the same as the current iPhone 5 -- and a non-retina display, reports 9to5Mac.

The information was sent to the site by developer Nick Frey, who found the details inside a file that lists all the iOS devices that support iOS 7. The A6 processor would be a logical upgrade for the iPad mini, advancing its main processing chip to the next generation.

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According to the provided information, Apple is considering three new iPad mini models: iPad “2,8,” iPad “2,9,” and iPad “2,10.” The respective code names for the devices are J75, J76, and J77. This points to one WiFi-only model and two cellular-compatible models (just like the current iPad minis).

[…]

As for what these new iPad minis will feature, the references state that the devices include the “s5l8950x” processor. This is the same A6 system-on-a-chip inside of Apple’s iPhone 5, and this would offer significant speed improvements for the iPad mini compared to the current A5-based model.

Current iPad mini models are nicknamed '2,5'; '2,6'; and '2,7'. 9to5Mac also notes that the models don't include references to '@2x' code that relates to Retina-display supported artwork -- that code is included in the iPhone 5 and the fourth-generation iPad, leading the site to conclude that the new mini will not include a Retina display.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has vacillated in recent months over Apple's plans for the iPad mini, most recently saying that a Retina-equipped device would launch sometime in March or April of 2014, with Apple not planning to upgrade the device at all until that time.

It's possible that this non-retina iPad mini is merely a device in testing, but while Kuo has a strong track record, it's always possible that Apple could change product release plans at the last minute.

Related Forum: iOS 7

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Top Rated Comments

MacBookPro13" Avatar
156 months ago
I won't be buying an iPad Mini until it has a retina display.
Score: 58 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gmanist1000 Avatar
156 months ago
That's just sad if the Nexus 7 will have a beautiful display an entire year before the Mini gets one in 2014.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lolkthxbai Avatar
156 months ago
These are going to sell like hot cacks.

Pun very much intended.

Wut?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Klae17 Avatar
156 months ago
And sadly, they will still sell more than the new Nexus 7. Sucks to be an Apple fan sometimes.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baklava Avatar
156 months ago
Sad, SO SAD! The next Gen. iPad mini will be rubbish without retina!
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MN7119 Avatar
156 months ago
NO RETINA = NO iPad Mini for me. That simple!!!!!:mad:
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)