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Having gone by an unprecedented drought of recent fashions in 2023, the iPad has already gained new variations of the Air and Professional in 2024 (and seen a corresponding bump in gross sales). And it seems to be like there’s extra the place that got here from.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, a tech pundit and leaker with a substantial following and respectable predictive monitor file, claimed in a put up Monday on X (previously Twitter) that many Apple shops are at present experiencing inventory shortages for the present iPad mini “in a number of configs.” Given the famously environment friendly nature of Apple’s logistics operation, such a widespread breakdown in provide–affecting a number of variations of a tool at a number of places–is commonly an indication that the corporate is intentionally winding down manufacturing forward of the launch of a brand new mannequin.
Not earlier than time, too. As Gurman factors out, the iPad mini hasn’t been up to date since 2021, and we’re developing quick on the gadget’s third birthday, which is relatively alarming. There was a time (throughout the primary 4 generations of the product) when the mini received an replace each fall just like the iPhone, however even by later requirements we’re due for it to be both refreshed or discontinued.
To be honest a three-year interval between launches just isn’t unprecedented. There was a wait of three and a half years between the fourth- and fifth-gen fashions. However then too a variety of us questioned if Apple had given up on the concept. However a haphazard iPad mini improve cycle is considerably par for the course:
- iPad mini 6: Sept 2021
- iPad mini 5: March 2019
- iPad mini 4: Sept 2015
- iPad mini 3: Oct 2014
- iPad mini 2: Oct 2013
- iPad mini: Oct 2012
The lengthy hole for the reason that gadget final received an replace makes the mini a deeply unappealing buy proper now. It nonetheless runs an A-class processor whereas even the iPad Air (which at one time was in lots of respects a bigger equal of the mini) is 2 generations into M-class Mac chips. Not like the opposite iPads, the mini nonetheless has its front-facing digicam on the brief edge as nicely, which I described not too long ago as a 13-year-old design error.
Gurman says he wouldn’t be stunned if the iPad mini will get an replace to make it appropriate with Apple Intelligence, which suggests an improve from 4GB to 8GB of RAM as nicely, however to be sincere that’s the least of its worries. Notably, the iPad mini doesn’t assist the latest Apple Pencil Professional or any model of the Magic Keyboard and begins at a feeble 64GB of storage.
To maintain up with all the most recent information and rumors concerning the new gadget, take a look at our often up to date iPad mini 7 superguide.
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