Over the past few weeks, there have been several reports about new Apple devices. We have had reports on the iPhone 15 series, the new iPad series as well as the expected foldable iPhone. There were reports that Apple may have to discontinue the iPad mini so as to accommodate the new foldable iPhone. However, a recent report from popular Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo now gives another picture.
In response to recent media reports that Apple will cut off the iPad Mini product line with a screen size smaller than 10 inches in 2025, and instead launch a foldable iPad product line, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that this will not happen. He says that Apple should a folding iPad. However, this device will not replace the iPad mini in 2025. He believes that Apple will not substitute both products because of the sharp contrast between them. According to Kuo, the price of the folding iPad will be way higher than that of the iPad mini. Thus, it does not make sense for Apple to swap both products. They do not have the same or even similar market. Thus, it is not reasonable to swap them.
According to Kuo Ming-Chi, Apple is at the moment developing a new iPad mini. He claims that the main selling point of this new iPad is the new processor. From market projections, the new iPad mini will start large-scale shipment by the end of 2023 or the first half of 2024.
Apple will work with Samsung and LG
According to previous reports, in terms of displays, Apple will work with two major South Korean brands. The brands are Samsung and LG. Apple will work with these companies to develop a 20.25-inch foldable OLED panel. A few days ago, Korean media, The Elec reports that Apple plans to cut off the iPad Mini product line with a screen size of less than 10 inches in 2025, and instead launch a foldable iPad product line. This claim was not endorsed by analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
The Apple iPad mini 6 was released in September 2021. At the time of its launch, the starting price of the device was 3,799 yuan ($546). However, the price has since risen to 3,999 yuan ($575) in October this year.
In terms of screen, the new generation of iPad mini adopts an ultra-portable design and it uses a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with top screen brightness, supports P3 wide color gamut, anti-reflective screen coating, and true color display technology. This device also adopts a full-screen design and integrates Touch ID into the top button. The iPad mini also uses a brand new A15 bionic chip, with a 40% increase in CPU and an 80% increase in GPU performance. This makes it the most powerful iPad mini so far. In addition, the machine also offers a 5G cellular version, and the 5G model has a download speed of up to 3.5 Gbps.
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Foldable iPad will not replace iPad mini
There is a large size contrast between the iPad mini and a folding iPad. Considering that the size of the display is nearly 20 inches when unfolded, this device will likely be close to a MacBook. If the size of the device when stretched out is 20.25 inches, then the size of the device after folding should be around 15.3 inches. Currently, the screen size of the Apple MacBook series is in the mid to late 10-inch range. The screen size of the iPad (tablet) series is between less than 10 inches and just above 10 inches.
After Apple upgraded some of its digital product lines to OLED screens, the company’s direction began to evolve towards foldable form factors. Before the launch of the 20.25-inch foldable Macbook device, Apple may first launch a foldable iPad. Apple is developing a foldable digital product internally and aims to release it in 2025, a year after Apple launched its first OLED iPad in 2024. And this foldable iPad will replace the current iPad mini product line under 10 inches.
Apple’s iPhone 15 series will have 5 models
According to PhoneArena, Apple’s 2023 iPhone 15 series may launch 5 models instead of the existing 4 models. Reports suggest that Apple may reintroduce the mini product line in order to cover more user groups. Apple’s iPhone 14 series this year has the iPhone 14 Plus, which is used to replace the iPhone 13 mini. However, the iPhone 14 Plus has a really disappointing sales, maybe even worse than the mini models. Then in next year’s adjustment, Apple may reintroduce the mini product line to provide users with more choices.
Next year’s iPhone 15 model array includes:
- iPhone 15 mini (5.4-inch display, $699)
- iPhone 15 (6.1-inch display, $799)
- iPhone 15 Plus (6.7-inch display, $899)
- iPhone 15 Pro (6.1-inch display, $999)
- iPhone 15 Ultra (6.7-inch display, $1,199)
The iPhone 15 series is so popular because it will come with a lot of “new” features and designs. According to recent reports, the next-gen iPhone will have a much better camera sensor. The rumour alleges that Sony is working on a new and very powerful camera sensor for the iPhone 15. According to Nikkei Asia, Sony now has a new camera sensor that can capture more light than before. Many thanks to the change in relevant design architecture. As a result, this new sensor could deliver solid results, especially in poor light conditions. The new camera sensor, which is being developed by Sony Semiconductor Solutions, will be manufactured in a Japanese plant. This sensor will then be shipped to Apple and other mobile phone brands. The report also claims that Sony made some changes in the design of the new CMOS chip.
