Michal Ždanský Next week, Apple will most likely present its new devices from the tablet category – iPad 5th generation and iPad mini 2. We detailed the possible specifications of iPad mini 2nd generation in separate article, let's now see together what a large 9,7-inch iPad should have.
Apple is in an interesting situation right now - its smaller, cheaper tablet is outselling the larger version it's based on, so the company will have to convince customers that even the nearly 10-inch iPad still has something to offer, especially since the iPad mini 2 may come with a Retina display and higher computing and graphics performance. The 5th generation iPad will have to offer more than just high performance to differentiate itself sufficiently from its smaller brother.
New chassis
After two and a half years, the large iPad could finally change its design in favor of smaller dimensions. In the front row, it should borrow the look from the iPad mini, the frame on the sides will be reduced, saving Apple 1-2 centimeters, and combined with a software function that recognizes whether the user is only holding the iPad by the edge when touching the screen, it will not affect the comfortable holding the tablet vertically.
However, the reduction should not only concern the width, according to some leaks, the tablet could be thinner by as much as 2 mm, i.e. by almost 20% compared to the previous generation, which should also reduce the weight of the device. Leaked photos of the back of the iPad suggest the same rounding found on the iPad mini, which makes the iPad more comfortable to hold in the hand.
As far as the display is concerned, we don't expect any changes in resolution, but Apple is supposed to use a thin film instead of glass for the touch layer, which should result in a reduction in thickness. It is possible that the display properties of the IPS display will be improved, especially the color rendering.
A chipset with performance to spare
There is no doubt that the big iPad will feature a new chipset from Apple's workshop, which develops it itself. The new iPhone 5s has a very powerful A7 dual-core processor, which is the first in the world to have a 64-bit instruction set. We expect the same from the iPad. Here, Apple can use the same chipset that beats in the iPhone 5s, or equip the iPad with a more powerful A7X, similar to what it did in the case of last year's model, where, compared to the iPhone 5 with an A6 processor, the tablet got the A6X.
The A7X could offer higher computing and graphics performance, but there is no indication yet that Apple will switch to quad cores, as some Android tablet manufacturers have already done. The RAM could also be doubled to 2GB. iOS 7 seems to be significantly more demanding on operating memory, and more RAM would help especially multitasking, which Apple completely overhauled in the latest operating system.
Other hardware features
For some time now, information has been circulating about the possible equipping of the iPad with a better camera. From the current 5 megapixels, the camera of the 5th generation tablet could increase to 8 megapixels. Since the iPad isn't the best device for taking photos or videos, a better camera is more of a redundant feature, but it will find its users. According to the allegedly leaked photos of the back cover, there is no indication that the iPad's body will feature a flash LED.
Following the example of the iPhone 5s, the tablet could also receive a fingerprint sensor touch ID, a new security element that simplifies device unlocking and purchases in the App Store, where instead of a password you just need to put your finger on the reader.
New colors and prices
The iPhone 5s received a third champagne color, and some rumors suggest that this type of gold color could also appear on iPads, after all, tablets have always copied the color variants of iPhones. Given the popularity of the gold iPhone 5s, it would be surprising if Apple just stuck with the existing color pair. The black version of the iPad should also change the shade to "space gray", which we can see in the iPhone 5s and iPods.
The pricing policy will probably not change, the basic model will cost $499, the version with LTE will cost $130 more. It would be nice if Apple finally increased the basic memory to 32 GB, because 16 gigabytes is becoming insufficient and users have to pay an additional $100 for double the storage. The 4th generation iPad is likely to remain on offer at a reduced price of $399, and the first generation iPad mini could continue to sell for $249, further inundating Apple with low-cost tablet vendors such as Google and Amazon.
We will see the introduction of iPads on October 22, we will see which of the above mentioned predictions will actually come true. And what new would you like to see with the big iPad?
Is multitasking redesigned in iOS7? How? Otherwise, the fact that the iP5s does not have 2GB of RAM significantly reduces the possibility that the new iPad will have
I observe that it is reworked, for example, during an extensive search in my local database under FileMaker Go for iPad. Normally, some more complex searches take up to 40 seconds. When, after activating the search, I put FM Go in the background and after about half a minute I put it in the foreground, it can be seen that it sorts even in the background, which did not happen before iOS7.
it is possible to throw out (turn off) maybe 2-3 applications at once, so yes, they are redesigned.
When I look at the design that was created for the iPad mini, was subsequently used for the iPhone 5C and now most likely for the large iPad, I am very curious if the iPhone 6 will not look like that.
"However, the reduction should not only concern the width, according to some leaks, the tablet could be narrower by as much as 2 mm, i.e. by almost 20% compared to the previous generation,"
Is it just me or is that splash image iOS 6? :-D ... I assume that the Apple Industry will supply it to us perhaps already with a standard seven, right? :)
We don't know anything at all, but at least we have an article about it.
In my opinion, the mini will not have retina, because that is the only reason potential buyers hesitate. If they put Retina as a minimum, I think it will bury the big iPad.
Certainly not. A large display makes sense in itself for some and for some purposes.
On the Ipad 5, I will like the discount of the Ipad 4 the most, which I will then finally be able to buy :-)