Although the tablet was officially unveiled earlier this week, a precise iPad mini 2 release date is still up in the air, with issues in producing the new 7.9-inch Retina display reportedly to blame.
While the 9.7-inch iPad Air release date has been confirmed for November 1, Apple has been vague in the arrival of its smaller tablet offering, stating only that the iPad mini 2 release date will be held “later in November.”
According to analyst firm IHS Inc, iPad mini 2 production has been hampered by low yield rates of the new Retina display, with component shortages to not only delay the tablet’s launch but limit availability after launch.
Although demand for iPad mini 2 units is expected to top 9 million units before the year’s end, with the lucrative Christmas period contributing largely to this, IHS analysts have hinted that iPad mini 2 stocks could fail to accommodate less than half this figure.
Based on the analyst’s reports, just over 4 million iPad mini 2s will hit retailers before the calendars are changed to 2014, meaning demand for the tablet could be quite frantic, with the resale value on sites such as eBay expected to rocket in the run up to Christmas.
The iPad mini 2 with Retina display was formally announced during Apple’s October 22 launch event, with the tablet packing not only an improved screen but the same 64-bit A7 processor as the iPhone 5S.
With the iPad mini 2 set to be made available in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage options, the tablet will also be made available in Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus 4G options.
The iPad mini 2 price starts at £319 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only model rising to a hefty £659 for the 128GB Wi-Fi plus 4G option.
Read More: Hands-on iPad Air review
Via: TechRadar
