The iPad mini 2 has been officially unveiled following months of leaks and speculation, with the second-generation 7-inch tablet adding the much mooted Retina display.
With the iPad mini follow-on having been tipped to add Apple’s trademark display panel since the original model was launched last year, the iPad mini 2 has now been formally showcased as part of the Cupertino company’s October 22 launch event.
“We’ve been working hard on the next-generation of iPad,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the tablet’s formal unveiling.
Apple’s Senior Vice President Phil Schiller added: “iPad is delivering a new vision for mobile computing unlike anything that has come before.
iPad mini 2 Features
Although the inclusion of a Retina display is sure to appease many wannabe owner, it is not the Google Nexus 7 rivals only new addition.
Wrapped within the same body as its predecessor, the new iPad mini 2 with Retina display, like the iPhone 5S and new iPad Air before it packs in Apple’s new 64-bit A7 processor. Offering PC-esque speeds, the A7 CPU is, according to Apple, four times faster than its predecessor, with graphic performance improved eight times.
Like the 9.7-inch iPad Air, the new iPad mini 2’s Retina display will sport a stunning 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution, answering the only major gripe from the original iPad mini.
Although the tablet does not play host to a TouchID fingerprint scanner like some had suggested it would, the iPad mini 2 boasts a 5-megapixel rear-mounted camera alongside a FaceTime HD snapper up front.
Set to land in both silver/white and space grey/black colour schemes, the iPad mini 2 will be made available in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi plus 4G cellular options. Costing more than the original model, the iPad mini 2 with Retina display will be sold alongside the first-gen iPad mini.
iPad mini 2 Release Date and Price
Given the tablet’s new additions, the iPad mini 2 price is considerably higher than that of its predecessor. While Apple’s original 7-inch tablet cost from just £269, the iPad mini 2 price will start from £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model and £419 when adding cellular options. The iPad mini 2 is also available in 32GB, 64GB and now 128GB forms with respective prices lining up at £399, £479 and £559 on Wi-Fi only and £499, £579 and £659 with 4G.
Although the tablet has now entered the realms of reality, the iPad mini 2 release date is still some way off. Confirming recent rumours, the tablet will not go on sale until “later in November”, a particularly vague date that suggests limitations in Apple’s supply line.
The original iPad mini price has been dropped to £249 to accommodate the new arrival, with only a 16GB storage option now listed on the Apple Store.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
