The grapevine is abuzz with rumors that Apple will launch the second generation of its iPad mini tablet, dubbed the iPad mini 2, in the second half of 2013.
The iPad mini has been yet another feather in Apple's cap, and the next-gen tablet will look to duplicate the success story.
Here we take a look at the top five reasons why the iPad mini 2 is worth the wait.
1. Portability
With the iPad mini, Apple has managed to hit the perfect form and size for a tablet. The iPad mini is seen as more practical for tasks such as reading ebooks or browsing online, which is why plenty of users have switched from other eBook devices to the iPad mini. Moreover, the iPad mini is small and can slip easily into your bag, so carrying it around is not a problem when compared to bigger counterparts.
The iPad mini 2 is also expected to retain the same form factor of its predecessor and will be high on portability.
2. Retina Display
The iPad mini's 7.9-inch screen has a resolution of 1024 x768 pixels, which was a disappointment for many iFans. However, according to reports, the second-gen tablet is set to get the Retina display, so the iPad mini 2 will have a much better screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. This means that the pixel density will jump from 163 ppi to 324 ppi.
3. Lower Power Consumption
Rumors are also rife that Apple will deploy Sharp IGZO displays in favor of Retina for the iPad mini 2. This display is designed for higher resolution and also aids battery saving. If this rumor bears fruition then the iPad mini 2 will not only have high pixel density, but also low power consumption.
4. Sturdier
Reports suggest that Apple will likely use Corning's new Gorilla Glass 3, which was announced at the CES 2013 in January. The Gorilla Glass 3 promises a 40 percent strength boost for devices, which basically means that the iPad mini 2 will be sturdier than its predecessor and other 7-inch tablets in its league.
5. Faster Processor
The iPad mini packs in the A5 processor; however, the iPad mini 2 is expected to tout the faster A6X processor which is currently found in the iPad 4. Some rumors also point to Apple making the jump from A6 to the new A7 processor for the iPad mini 2.
Even though rumors suggest the iPad mini 2 will be more expensive than the iPad mini because of upgraded components, it will be cheaper than the iPad 5 and a good alternative for those who are looking for a robust device in the smaller tablet space.
Given Apple's track record, product sales are usually boosted by the "halo" effect: consumers who buy an iPhone are more likely to buy the Mac or an iPad. The Cupertino giant's products piggyback on this strategy and capitalize on each other's popularity.
With the halo effect in place, the iPad mini 2 seems to be on track to be yet another Apple success story.
