14 DAY TRIAL // Apple’s upcoming iPad 5 and iPad mini 2 are both going to pack an A7X processor, according to research done by KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi-Kuo.
While we wouldn’t hold our collective breath for the smaller tablet to get such a high-end processor, the iPad 5 could well be upgraded to the A7X spec.
Processor-wise, Apple ups the ante every year and the larger iPads always get the faster chips.
“Since iPad mini 2 will feature better resolution with retina display, we think its AP [applications processor] will have the same grade as iPad 5 – the A7X,” Kuo argues.
However, an A6X chip would suffice for a Retina-equipped iPad mini, considering the small screen and the diminutive status of the tablet. Plus, the newest A-series chips are always the most expensive.
Regardless, there are many more interesting tidbits in Kuo’s research note (obtained by MacRumors).
For example, the analyst says Apple had initially planned the iPad mini 2 launch for 2014, but now the company has had a change of heart, seeing how competitors are ramping up their own tablet shipments.
“But we now believe that iPad mini 2 may be pulled in for launching in late 2013,” Kuo says.
“Since other brand vendors are all expected to have a line-up of new high resolution 7-8” tablets to launch over the next 3-6 months, we think iPad mini 2 may lose its opportunity in the market if it is slated for introduction next year,” reads the KGI whitepaper.
The iPad mini 2 will not ship in multiple colors, but it will manage to impress with its crisp new Retina display, according to Kuo.
He also believes Apple will experience some production hurdles around the launch time, but that those issues will be resolved soon.
“Despite minimal form factor differentiation and unchanged casing colors, we think the retina display will still boost iPad mini 2’s attractiveness,” Kuo writes.
“Although the model’s availability is small due to production issues, if iPad mini 2 gets an introduction and launch this year, it should be able to impact consumers and freeze their budget for other brand vendors’ tablets,” says the analyst.
Just as interesting is Kuo’s estimate that Apple has an A6-based iPad mini 3 prepared for 2014.
This tablet won’t have a Retina screen, he says, though it seems highly unlikely that Apple will ship any new products without a high-density display past 2013.
As far as the iPad 5 is concerned, it will have a redesigned body (akin to the iPad mini) and it will support TDD-LTE technology (for China Mobile's network), according to the analyst.