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| (Image credit: Henry T. Casey) |
Although it seems a bit odd, we advise against purchasing the iPad Mini—which is now among the best tablets available—based on recent speculations. According to recent sources, there is "constrained" stock of the iPad Mini, which indicates that Apple's smallest iPad is being produced at a reduced rate.
According to Apple Insider, the limited supply suggests that Apple could be developing an iPad Mini update, which would be excellent news for one of the greatest iPads.
It seems sense that the corporation would want to update every one of its products as Apple Intelligence would be available on all next Apple devices. Since the redesigned iPad Mini 6 was launched back in 2021, the iPad Mini hasn't received any major updates outside of the addition of AI to the device.
The Apple Whisperer, Mark Gurman, has also reported on X that low manufacturing may be a sign that a refresh is in the works, primarily to bring AI to the little tablet.
Many Apple stores are low on stock of the iPad mini in several configs, while the device is considered “constrained” internally within Apple, I’m told. That *could* be a sign a new one is coming. It hasn’t been updated since 2021. Wouldn’t be surprised to see it updated for AI.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) August 26, 2024
Since the iPad Mini's 2012 launch, updates have been released on an irregular basis. The current model debuted two years after the introduction of Gen 5, which was delayed from the preceding four generations' annual timetable.
During the "Let Loose" event in May, there were reports that Apple was going to unveil a new iPad Mini. However, it turned out that the iPad Pro with the new M4 CPU was being released instead.
Moving the Face ID sensor and front-facing camera, as was done with the new M4 iPad, is one of the possible changes for a new iPad Mini. However, since the smaller iPad isn't meant to be a "laptop replacement" like the iPad Pro, it might not be as important.
We've heard speculations that the iPad Mini and iPad Air would have OLED screens, but those stories just made us desire an iPad Mini Pro because they said we wouldn't see a new iPad Mini until 2026.
A minimum of an A17 Pro or M4 processor would also be required for an iPad Mini with AI capabilities. There is an A15 chipset in the sixth-generation iPad Mini. Everything that is speculated about the upcoming iPhone generation—including the suspected iPhone SE 4—will use an A18 CPU. Therefore, it's not impossible that the next iPad Mini will include a faster CPU designed especially for artificial intelligence.
September 9's Glowtime Apple Event may see Apple revealing a new iPad Mini. However, the business may decide to hold off until its later autumnal MacBook and Mac product releases. All we can do is wait and see.