iPad Mini to cost $249-299, will come with 7.85-inch Sharp IGZO display panel

Vlad Bobleanta  By on 02 Jul 12

The iPad Mini is now, alongside the Amazon Kindle Fire 2, pretty much the only tablet left for rumor-mongerers to focus on since the Google Nexus 7 was unveiled.

And the rumor mill keeps on churnin’ regarding this little puppy (which may or may not ever become reality). Today’s rumor, coming from those oh-so-reliable ‘various analysts’, says that Apple will launch a smaller tablet, and it will cost $249-$299.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard these exact price points mentioned, in fact they’ve been reported on at least twice before. So for now we’re willing to go along and trust that they’re rather accurate.

After all, at those price points the iPad Mini can be both cheaper than the still-selling 10-inch iPad 2, yet also compete with Amazon’s Kindle Fire(s) and Google’s aforementioned Nexus 7. Sure, Apple’s offering will still be more expensive than those two, but people are pretty much used to paying a small premium for Apple products.

Also ‘confirmed’ apparently, via the even more reliable ‘anonymous industry sources’, is the fact that the iPad Mini will have IGZO display panels made by Sharp. IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) is a thin-film transistor (TFT) tech that allows the tablet to be thinner than similar models, while increasing ‘endurance’ and display quality.

IGZO panels have been rumored for Apple mobile devices before, and Sharp making those would totally make sense, especially in light of that company’s recently established alliance with Foxconn, Apple’s largest device maker. Apparently Sharp’s IGZO panels support up to 330 ppi pixel density – which means there could be some Retina love in there somewhere.

Finally, the 7.85-inch form factor is mentioned again, and since it’s been around a lot more than any others, we’re going to say that if there ever will be an iPad Mini, it almost certainly will come with that screen size.

No other details have been uncovered (or ‘confirmed’) for the time being. Last we heard anything about that, the iPad Mini was supposed to arrive in stores ‘in late 2012‘. So perhaps an unveiling alongside the next iPhone in the fall is what’s going to happen. Let’s wait and see.

Via MyDrivers

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=526140936 John Higgins

    I have a hard time believing Apple of all companies would release a 7.85″ tablet with a high ppi screen at a $250-300 price point since it would severely impact ipad 3 sales. In addition to that, it seems like they would barely make any profit at that price and we know Apple is never one to release a product that doesn’t make them big bucks.

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