Apple To Launch iPad 5 and iPad Mini In October

Apple To Launch iPad 5 and iPad Mini In October

Just a couple of weeks following the launch of the iPhone 5S and 5C, rumours are already flying about the launch of new iPads this month.

According to The Wall Street Journal’s technology blog AllThingsD, the launch event for the iPad 5 and the iPad Mini 2 is pinned for October 22, which corresponds with the launch of the 4th generation iPad and iPad mini last year October 23rd.

Citing sources “familiar with Apple’s plans”, AllThingsD confirmed the date originally suggested by Current Editorials several weeks ago, with the focus of the event expected to be the announcement of the iPad 5 and the iPad Mini 2, along with a new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks.

What Can We Expect From The New iPads?

While, as is the usual case with any Apple launch, no one can confirm exactly what features we can expect in a new iPad and iPad mini, there’s no shortage of rumours.

iPad 5

Many technology pundits are unanimous in their predictions for the iPad 5, with a lighter, thinner design expected for Apple’s new iPad. It is also a near certainty that the iPad 5 will feature the new 64 bit A7 chip debuted in the iPhone 5S. Indeed, it would make much less sense for Apple not to include the A7 into a device that would really take advantage of the increased processing power, particularly when it will be running Apple’s latest version of iOS, iOS 7. We will most likely see the improved iSight camera found in the iPhone 5S to be included in the new iPad, which brings a whole heap of improvements to the quality of pictures taken with the camera.

The only feature not expected to change, is the display. The new iPad will most probably keep the 9.7inch retina display found in the 4th generation iPad. The range of variants will probably also mimic that of the iPad 4, with 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and the high-capacity 128GB versions.

However, one feature that no one can seem to agree upon, is whether the Touch ID, Apple’s fingerprint sensor they included in the iPhone 5S will make an appearance in the iPad 5. It would make sense to include it in the new iPad, if only for simplifying both the unlocking and App Store login process.

iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2

Source: Martin Hajek

iPad Mini

Not much has been said about the new iPad Mini, except that it will most likely make use of Apple’s Retina Display.

In terms of the hardware side of things, rumours are divided as to whether the A7 64 bit processor will be included in the iPad Mini, or whether it will go the way of the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5, and include the A6 chip instead.

iPad 5S, 5C?

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes from technology blog ZDnet believes that Apple may lead the iPad down the same route as the iPhone, by offering two variants; the iPad 5S and the iPad 5C.

He expects if Apple were to go down this road, the iPad 5S would of course be Apple’s flagship tablet, and include most if not all the new technology debuted in the iPhone 5S. He does speculate that the A7 chip could be modified to fit the tablet form factor, to really get the most out of the processor. Of course, the iPad 5S would include the iSight camera, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor and may even copy the finishes found in the iPhone 5S (i.e. space grey, silver and gold).

The iPhone 5C would be Apple’s budget tablet, essentially replacing the iPad 2 as the option for the low end of the tablet market. Much as the iPhone 5C did, the iPad 5C would most likely be modeled on the specs of the iPad 4. It could also potentially feature the coloured polycarbonate shells of the iPhone 5C.

Pricing

Of course, pricing and availability are still up in the air at the moment, however, it is predicted that pricing will more or less follow the pricing schedule for the iPad 4 and the original iPad mini.

We’ll keep you updated as the launch date approaches, so stay tuned for more information!