Apple's iOS 7 SDK has revealed that the company is working on a new iPad mini. The tablet is using the same A6 chip found in the iPhone 5 but lacks a Retina Display.
iPad mini fans have been waiting for Apple to release an update to the 7.9-inch tablet that would finally add a feature that users have been wanting since the first generation iPad mini was released - a Retina Display. The iPad mini has been a very popular tablet, but it has been long criticized for not packing a high-resolution display. Rumors suggested that Apple would release the iPad mini 2 with a Retina Display in the fall alongside the iPad 5, but a recent report from a reliable source claimed that a Retina-equipped iPad mini would launch in March or April of 2014.
Tech site 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple is currently testing a new iPad mini that includes a faster processor but lacks a Retina Display. The information comes from a developer who located the references in the iOS 7 SDK.
"According to the provided information, Apple is considering three new iPad mini models: iPad '2,8,' iPad '2,9,' and iPad '2,10.' The respective code names for the devices are J75, J76, and J77. This points to one WiFi-only model and two cellular-compatible models (just like the current iPad minis)," reports the publication.
"The internal nomenclature for these iPads follows the current iPad minis, which are iPad '2,5,' iPad '2,6,' and iPad '2,7.'"
The site also points out that none of the referenced models include the '@2x' code that indicates Retina Display supported artwork. The code is included in both the iPhone 5 and iPad 4 listing. It also highlights that while the references show that Apple is testing a new iPad mini with an A6 chip and no Retina Display, it cannot confirm that Apple will actually ship this tablet.
As with all Apple rumors, regardless of how authentic they might appear, it is always best to take such news with a grain of salt. Only Apple really knows when it plans on releasing a new iPad mini and for now the company has not shared anything.
