Apple likely to adopt slim bezel for its 7.85" iPad mini, to target the sub-$300 tablet market

posted by Daniel P. / Mar 12, 2012, 4:32 AM

Apple likely to adopt slim bezel for its 7.85

Digitimes keeps churning wild tablet rumors today, and the next one on the list is with more info about the alleged smaller iPad that is in the testing. The supply chain sources reiterated that Apple's iPad mini will feature a 7.85" display made by LG and AU Optronics, but it won't be of the high-res Retina variety.

Apple is planning to use a significantly shrunk bezel, for that matter, in order to keep things compact, yet provide ample screen real estate. The iPad mini, or whatever it gets called eventually, if all of this holds water, is expected to range in price from $249-$299, depending on the configuration.

Such a munchkin iPad could definitely give affordable Android tablets a run for their money, and expand the tablet iOS applications universe significantly, due to exponential increase in the target market base. All good news for iPad owners.

For a more in-depth analysis on the pros and cons of a smaller, 7.85" iPad for Apple, you can read our dedicated article here.

source: Digitimes

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10 Comments

1. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

This small ipad will make the ipod touch obsolete since the ipod touch and ipad are essentially the same besides screen size,the iphone 4 being almost the exact same albeit with full voice and calls integrated. Looks like the success of the kindle fire and possibly the upcoming 7 inch nexus tab at very good prices is getting apple concerned enough to enter this tab size. Its good news for ipad owners also as they can now buy the ipad in this new smaller size to compliment the larger ipad they already have as well as their iphones and ipod touches and increase their apple mana by ten fold.

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 5:46 AM 6

2. tward291

Posts: 559; Member since: Feb 14, 2012

i hate to say it but if they release this ipad android sales will drop in the tablet game lucky for me windows 8 will save us all

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 8:25 AM 3

5. JeffdaBeat unregistered

...you're counting on Microsoft to save you? Seriously? It's a sad day when people are looking to that company....

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 5:11 PM 1

6. tward291

and what is wrong with microsoft the only aspect that they are slow on at the moment is mobile so tell me how is microsoft a bad company

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 5:37 PM 2

7. stealthd unregistered

You haven't known about Microsoft for very long have you?

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 5:59 PM 1

8. tward291

you must not see the world around you windows is the most dominant so on the planet dame near every computer both business and personnel runs a version of windows I don't think there phone will gain much but there tablet PC will

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 7:09 PM 2

3. biophone

Posts: 1994; Member since: Jun 15, 2011

Ipad nano?

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 8:51 AM 1

4. jdelgadi2230

Posts: 3; Member since: Feb 04, 2012

I would buy one in a heartbeat. I have the original Samsung Galaxy tab 7 inch and the size of it is the number one reason I got it, and the number two reason was the price. I would definitely pay $300 for a 7 inch iPad any day of the week. Hope to see in on the market soon so I can get one.

posted on Mar 12, 2012, 2:16 PM 0

9. rsmills5

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 13, 2012

I would definitely get one! I bought the galazxy tab as well just because of the portability of it. It fits in my pocket even in slacks, and in my back pocket in jeans. That was my determining factor is just being able to take it everywhere. I recently bought the iPad 2 and I don't use it as much, it spends the majority of its time in my bag. If it was the size of my galaxt tab I would be more prone to use it.

posted on Mar 13, 2012, 11:19 AM 0

10. W.P._Android_in_that_Order

Posts: 208; Member since: Feb 15, 2012

Im glad apple is making a 7inch iPad. It proves that they are changing as a company since the passing Steve and it also shows the value of good competition that makes everyone make better products.