The Apple rumor mill is churning again, and this time it’s the iPad mini which finds itself caught in the controversy. Reports are coming in that Apple may be looking to ditch the iPad mini lineup of devices in favor of the upcoming larger-screened iPad Pro.
Apparently, Apple is seeing decline in sales for the iPad mini in comparison to the larger iPad Air and iPad Air 2 tablets. It is rumored that with the introduction of the iPhone 6 Plus at 5.5-inches and increasing competition in the tablet market in the face of already declining iPad mini sales, Apple has allegedly decided to discontinue the iPad mini series.
The infamous iPad mini 3 should be the last of the series going up on Apple Store shelves. When Apple announced the iPad Air 2, the upgrades and features included an upgraded A8X processor, improved camera, slimmer shell etc. made for more than an exciting product, leading many to hold the same expectations for the iPad mini 3, which unfortunately – with the exception of a Touch ID and choice of gold color – was just another iPad mini 2.
It is rumored that this move will be a result of the unpopularity of the iPad mini in comparison to the iPad Air, and that Apple is looking to milk the most of out its unpopular product before it is discontinued, pretty much like the iPod touch 5th generation which Apple doesn’t really bother much with anymore.
The iPad Pro as it is dubbed, is rumored to be Apple’s main focus as far as tablets are concerned. With a screen size between 12.2-inches and 12.9-inches the tablet is reportedly around 7mm thick – slightly thicker than the iPad Air 2, and could be sporting stereo speakers with an ultra-high-definition display.
While there is no real word on the release date of the iPad Pro, the move to a larger screen by Apple in the tablet market will be competing directly with 11 to 13-inches notebooks, and should make for an interesting consumer pattern. With phones becoming phablets, it might not be that huge a surprise if the iPad mini series is actually shelved for good this time.
Though the report is somewhat sketchy in nature, but it would be interesting to see what plans Apple has up its sleeve for next year.
(Source: EconomicDailyNews [Google Translate])
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