PhoneArena is looking for new authors! To view all available positions, click here.

Phone Links

more » more »
  • Home
  • ›
  • News
  • ›
  • Apple iPad mini to be Wi-Fi only; refresh coming for current iPad

Apple iPad mini to be Wi-Fi only; refresh coming for current iPad

Posted: , by Alan F.

Categories:

Share:

Discuss 23
Apple iPad mini to be Wi-Fi only; refresh coming for current iPad
Sources for U.K. paper The Guardian are telling the publication that Apple will soon be introducing the 7.85 inch Apple iPad mini, which is confirmed from some U.K. retailers saying that they expect the smaller-sized iPad to hit stores in November. While Apple has yet to confirm that such a device exists, it has always been assumed that the Apple iPad mini was created to go up against the devices in the new 7 inch low price tablet category that was created with last November's launch of the Amazon Kindle Fire. Amazon initially sold the unit for $199 and recently was challenged by the $199 8GB version of the 7 inch Google Nexus 7. Amazon now has a low price Kindle Fire 2 for $159 and a better spec'd Amazon Kindle Fire HD priced at $199. For its part, a $99 Google Nexus 7 is expected this December.

The new lightning connector on top with the older cable on the bottom

The new lightning connector on top with the older cable on the bottom

Among that pile up, the Apple iPad mini is expected to come to market with its 7.85 inch screen and quite possibly a price tag in the $250 region. To keep production costs low, those inside the industry say that Apple is supposedly keeping the iPad mini as a Wi-Fi only device and will keep 3G/4G connectivity for the higher priced full-size Apple iPad model. While there is talk that the invitations for the event that will out the Apple iPad mini will go out on Wednesday, there also is speculation that one of the factories assembling the tablet had to take a break due to a last minute design change.

The Guardian also has some inside information on a refresh for the third generation of the Apple iPad. Sources say that the tablet will be revised to support U.K. 4G through Everything Everywhere's 1800MHz network – and from next September with Three. Additionally, the refreshed version of the third generation iPad will have a dock on the bottom for the smaller digital lightning cable instead of the 30 pin cable and dock that had been used on Apple's mobile devices since the OG Apple iPhone. There is no word on whether the refresh will be only for units headed to the U.K. for sale.

source: TheGuardian via RedmondPie

Share:

Discuss23

23 Comments

  • Options
    Close




Want to comment? Please login or register.

1. e.wvu (unregistered) posted on 09 Oct 2012, 21:21 7

It'll be more like $299. No way will Apple would price their "premium" devices anything below that amount.

Reply

2. stealthd posted on 09 Oct 2012, 21:28 16

More like $349 or $399. $299 would be the same price as the new iPod touch, wouldn't make much sense.

Reply

10. vader11 posted on 09 Oct 2012, 23:10

Exactly! My guess would be $349 to $399 or even $449. I wonder who will buy the ipod touch with that price...

Reply

3. Izzy_V posted on 09 Oct 2012, 21:30 5 1

I would've put the estimate at no less than $350 because of the price of the newest ipod touch. Apple knows that it doesn't really need to price its product too competitively because of the mass following of sheepple it has.

Edit: Damn you stealth lol.

Reply

4. wumberpeb posted on 09 Oct 2012, 21:30 7

Definitely smart going WiFi only. However, the more Apple devices they create, the more I see of iOS, the more boring it becomes. The same look to the operating system on almost every device across your entire product lineup for 5 years? I would guess even Apple fans might get bored of looking at the same thing every time...

Its just NOT my thing, so to each their own. But yea, WiFi is all anyone cares about on a tablet anyways

Reply

16. rusticguy posted on 10 Oct 2012, 02:00 2 1

Nope. Some feel happy at bbeing given Aluminium and glass. Apple is more about STYLE than SUBSTANCE .... :)

Reply

5. cretinick posted on 09 Oct 2012, 22:22 2

It's complicated...

Small Tablets, are more portable than those of original size. Therefore, it would be more interesting to have 3G/4G connectivity in smaller tablets than in larger Tablets (Which, around me, are mostly used indoors).

But, who uses Tablets, hardly don't have a smartphone. So, It's much better just having the 3G/4G cellular, and only pay a data contract. In any of the Tablet size cases...

But I do not use Tablets, so I have no way to define the needs of use.

Reply

13. PhoneLuver posted on 10 Oct 2012, 01:05 2

I agree. The smaller they are, the more portable they are, hence the need for 3G/4G! I see tons of women with Galaxy Tabs or Kindles in their handbags. Also, the OS is BOOOOOOOOORING!

Reply

6. BadAssAbe posted on 09 Oct 2012, 22:30 4

iPad mini same specs as the nexus give or take a few parts
Charge a 150 more

Apple Over charging the uninformed since the first iPhone

Reply

11. Hemlocke posted on 09 Oct 2012, 23:28 1 4

Is that why the Note 10.1 costs the same as the iPad, but costs less to build? Same with the SGS3 and GNote II, compared to the iPhone 5?

Reply

12. gallitoking posted on 10 Oct 2012, 00:33 2 2

you really think a lambourgini cost 100.00 to build right? or a Coach purse really cost 500.00 to make?.. is called brand recognition

Reply

17. rusticguy posted on 10 Oct 2012, 02:45 1

Lamborgini = Substance + Style.

Apple = Style (so substabce missing).
If it was for Substance + Style we would have seen better Maps, better camera (not the one with purple crap) on IP5. Apple products remind me of a Indian car -- Ambassador which has remained the same since last 50 years (maybe more) ... just growing a bit in size here and there and some cosmetic changes nwith a new model name/number.

Reply

19. BadAssAbe posted on 10 Oct 2012, 09:34

Price
4.8in screen =4 in screen?
4 cores = 2 cores?
big battery = small battery?

not to mentioned GS3 other features
but seems legit LOL

Reply

7. phil2n posted on 09 Oct 2012, 22:32 1

$149 and below i will buy even if i hate it

Reply

8. quakan posted on 09 Oct 2012, 22:32

I honestly think this will debut with the next iPad in 2013 (if the rumors are true).

Reply

20. infinitemethod posted on 10 Oct 2012, 14:45

Hahaha! Who would want one of these? These cannot possibly sell well.

Reply

21. pikapowerize (banned) posted on 10 Oct 2012, 19:20

it should turn to be true!!

Reply

22. alan_1230 posted on 11 Oct 2012, 09:53

if its 250-300 i will buy one i dont need a data contract or 4g on it wifi is perfect for at home .

Reply
* Some comments have been hidden, because they don't meet the discussions rules.

Want to comment? Please login or register.

Hot Phones

  • Samsung Galaxy S4Samsung Galaxy S4
  • Apple iPhone 5Apple iPhone 5
  • Samsung GALAXY Note IISamsung GALAXY Note II
  • HTC OneHTC One
  • Sony Xperia ZSony Xperia Z
  • Google Nexus 4Google Nexus 4
  • LG Optimus GLG Optimus G
  • Nokia Lumia 920Nokia Lumia 920