Last year, DigiTimes claimed that Apple has no plans to refresh its iPad mini or launch a smaller tablet. This was refuted by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who alleged in October that a new version of the iPad mini with a better processor and low-cost display panel is in the works. This claim was backed up by China Times last month, as the publication claimed that Apple is gearing up to release a new iPad mini 5 in the first half of the year, along with two variants of a new entry-level iPad. Now it seems that Apple is going to release two new tablets in the first half of 2019, assuming the latest report holds true.
Apple’s Suppliers Are Reportedly Gearing up to Supply Touch Solutions for the New iPad Models
Per a new DigiTimes report, Apple is allegedly going to launch two entry-level tablets in H2 2019, one of them being a fifth-generation iPad mini and another entry-level iPad, which should be called the iPad 7. Industry sources claim that TPK Holding and General Interface Solution (GIS), two touch panel makers based in Taiwan, are tooling up to supply touch panels for the new iPad devices.
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It is not known what specifications the new iPad will come with, but most reports indicate that this is going to be an incremental update at best, so there aren’t going to be any major changes. The iPad mini 5 is expected to sport a lower-cost display panel and feature an upgraded chipset. Apple apparently wants to keep the cost down, probably to increase market share. The 9.7-inch iPad will allegedly be succeeded by a 10-inch model. It might have more of a square shaped design, a la the 2018 iPad Pro, and it might get second-generation Apple Pencil support.
The last time Apple refreshed its smallest iPad mini was back in September 2015. The tablet was marked down in March 2017, with the price of the 128GB model going down to $399. Since Apple usually announces entry-level iPads in the month of March or April, it wouldn’t be long before we find out what the company has in store for its tablet enthusiasts.
Source: DigiTimes
