The second generation iPad Mini is expected to undergo dramatic changes in screen technology, according to MobiLeaks, a German blog. Sources also expect a Q4 2013 launch of the device drawing on Apple CEO Tim Cook’s words – “we can’t wait to introduce this fall.”
MobiLeaks says that the iPad Mini 2 will come with an enhanced Retina display having a resolution of 2048 x 1536 and a pixel density of 324 pixels per inch. AU Optronics is said to be manufacturing the revolutionary displays. The change is indeed dramatic because the resolution will be four times that of the current iPad Mini, which has a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. It will also place the second gen iPad Mini on equal footing with the fourth gen iPad.
The screen size will be the same 7.9 inches, but the bezel will not be as prominent, so expect an edge-to-edge screen. Amazingly, the thickness will increase from 7.2mm to 7.5mm, probably to add some space for a bigger battery with a 10-hour battery life. Nevertheless, the difference is negligible. Apple is said to be using Sharp’s indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) screen technology to reduce the thickness of the device.
The device will be powered by Apple’s dual-core A6X processor, a 1.4GHz dual-core chip with quad-core PowerVR GPU. The camera is likely to be tweaked, so expect an 8MP back camera and a 2MP front camera. For some more detail, the device will come with FaceTime HD camera plus iSight camera capable of 1080 pixels HD video recording.
Apple’s first iPad Mini was a big hit, but still lags behind the bigger iPad 4. The aforesaid specs are based on leaked reports as Apple has yet to officially reveal the details.