With the iPad mini 6 launching in September 2021, it would be reasonable to expect a sequel in September 2022 – but of course we haven’t seen any such tablet, and rumor has it that we might not get one until early 2024.
This comes courtesy of a credible Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo (opens in a new tab)which believes that the next small tablet that Apple will release will start selling in late 2023 or in the first half of 2024 (though it is not clear what this depends on).
Kuo goes on to say that the “main selling point” of the iPad mini 7 will be the new processor. The current model is equipped with the A15 Bionic chipset, which also appeared in the iPhone 13 series, which Apple unveiled at the same time as the iPad mini 6.
Foldable iPads
The iPad mini claim was actually preceded by another look into the crystal ball by Kuo: he says the foldable iPad is “unlikely” to replace the iPad mini in 2025, a move that has been “predicted” in some industry circles.
The analyst points out that the foldable iPad will cost significantly more than the iPad mini – the model on sale now costs $449 / £479 / AU$749 and up – suggesting the future of the iPad mini is safe as time goes by.
In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the foldable iPhone, but less about the foldable iPad. In fact, they can be one and the same device: a gadget the size of an iPhone when folded and a tablet the size of an iPad when the screen is unfolded.
Analysis: Apple is expanding its product line
There is clearly one area where Apple lags behind Samsung: foldable devices. Apple has nothing that can match the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and that’s a problem.
Apple, being Apple, will not want to delve into the foldable device market until it is sure that the technology has reached a satisfactory level – and we would say that this is definitely the case with the foldable devices on the market today.
With that in mind, the 2025 prediction for Apple to introduce something foldable – whether it’s marketed as an iPhone or an iPad – looks more or less good. We suspect Apple’s first foldable will work on an iPad, so a foldable iPad now seems more likely.
Meanwhile, the iPad mini is apparently alive – at least for now. This doesn’t seem to be one of Apple’s top priorities (no product refresh this year), but we imagine there are still plenty of people who prefer a smaller form factor.