Analyst: Retina Display iPad Mini 2 May Not Ship Alongside iPad 5

Rhoda Alexander, director of Tablet and Monitor Research at IHS iSuppli, says that while the iPad 5 appears set for an October release, a Retina Display iPad mini 2 is less likely.

"The Retina Mini looks less certain for that time. Manufacturing volumes on that would match better with a Q114 [first quarter 2014] launch," she told CNET. "But given that it's Apple, one never knows" -- suggesting that perhaps Apple could announce the device and ship it later than the iPad 5.


Notably, Alexander also believes that Apple will have to make the device thicker to accommodate a Retina Display. "I don't think that there's any way that they're not going to have a tradeoff with thickness," Alexander said. Leaked photos of an alleged back panel appear to corroborate this.

A recent report from Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a very good track record, suggested that Apple was planning to release the Retina iPad mini for 2014; however, due to increased competition it accelerated its timetable for the device.

Read More