The iPad mini was the fifth notable model in the iPad series, with an exceptional 7.9 inches display replacing the usual 9.7 inches display-dimension of its larger predecessors. iPad mini was released in October 2012. With iPad mini being a success, Apple is set to launch the iPad mini 2 this year. It was supposed to release earlier this year, but Apple has reported some development issues that led to postponement of iPad mini 2’s release date to the latter half of this year.
iPad mini Vs the iPad mini 2
Design
The iPad mini featured similar specs as that of iPad 2. iPad mini 2 is being reported to possess a silver and thicker casing with a sky blue Apple logo on its hind portion.
Display
The iPad mini featured a display screen of 7.9 inches with a screen resolution of 768*1024 pixels and a density of 162 ppi. The iPad mini 2 will possess a Retina display of 2048*1536 resolution and a pixel density of 324 ppi. This is going to be a remarkable improvement in the iPad mini 2.
The low screen resolution of its predecessor was quite disappointing, which probably the successor would quench. iPad mini was protected with oleophobic coating. iPad mini 2 may be featuring a scratch resistant glass alongside Oleophobic coating. Reportedly, iPad mini 2’s screen-work is being taken care of by AU Optronics.
Processor
iPad mini operated on iOS 6, which was upgradable to iOS 6.1.3. It was powered by 1GHz Cortex A9 Dual Core processor. Probably the Apple A5 chipset of iPad mini would be augmented to Apple A6X in its successor, the iPad mini 2. As display resolution in the iPad mini 2 would be higher, a supportable processor would be required to accommodate the HD screen. The PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU of iPad mini may be upgraded in iPad mini 2 as well. However, Apple is focusing on A7 for iPads and it may decide to insert the same into iPad minis.
Storage
Alike other Apple gadgets, the iPad mini had no card slots and was released in three different models of 64, 32 and 16GB. It had an internal storage capacity of about 512 MB. Apple is likely to enhance the internal storage capacity to 1GB in iPad mini 2. iPad has recently brought out the iPad 4 128GB model. Whether, it is going to incorporate the same with the forthcoming iPad mini is doubtful, but it’s a possibility as Apple has already manufactured the giant chipset but it needs to be capacitated and made compatible according to the core features of iPad mini 2.
Wireless Charging
Rumors suggest that the iPad mini may feature a circuitry for wireless charging alongside individual battery cells. This spec resides on a rumored base but its genuineness may be incorporated by Apple in its iPad 5 and iPad mini 2.
Camera
The iPad mini possessed a 5 MP camera of 2592*1944 resolution with auto focus, geo tagging, face detection and touch focus. Rumors direct to the fact that iPad mini 2 may possess an 8MP camera with simultaneous image and video recording facility. But no confirmation is available over the camera specs on iPad mini 2.
Price
The Apple iPad mini 2 may be priced similarly to that of its predecessor. Likely, the 16GB version, 32GB version and 64GB version would be priced at £269, £349, £429 respectively. You may have to pay a £100 extra for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model.
Apple iPad mini 2 will probably hit the shelves after fall this year and is expected to carry better specs than its predecessor, close to the upcoming larger iPad 5.