Rumoured iPad mini to make its debut in September – analyst

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has predicted that Apple’s widely speculated iPad mini will arrive in September, and expects the smaller tablet to overtake the 10in iPad’s sales by the end of the year.

Kuo expects that the 7.85in iPad will see about 1.8million units sold during the last part of the third-quarter following its launch, but that sales will significantly increase to more than 13 million units during the fourth quarter, overtaking the 10in iPad that is currently on the market.

That is not the only change we’ll see to the iPad lineup this September, says Kuo. He claims that Apple will be making minor changes to the 10in iPad, to address thermal issues and reduce costs. Kuo’s sources suggest that these internal updates will be invisible to customers, reports MacRumours.

“Though shipments of iPad mini’s components will start in August, the new iPad line will end production, ready for transition to a modified new iPad line,” says Kuo. “As such, component shipments will drop in Augusts as iPad mini’s components shipments growth will be offset. On a side note, the modified new iPad shares the same exterior as the original model, but contains modifications to correct its thermal dissipation problem and lower-cost components.”

Earlier this month, ex-Apple staff backed up iPad mini claims, saying that a smaller, cheaper iPad will be a “sweet spot” for Apple.

In the same note sent on Monday, Kuo also predicted the arrival of a 13in MacBook Pro with Retina display, alongside a new Ivy Bridge iMac lineup, as well as a September launch for the next iPhone and redesigned iPod touch.

See also:

Is iPad mini the ‘Apple mystery product’ on Currys Christmas list? Apple iPad mini ‘leaked in China’ – pictures Apple iPad mini to be announced by October – report Apple is planning to launch a thinner iPad this summer – rumour