Still a fan of the iPad mini? Get one while you can, because a new rumor claims Apple is planning to eliminate the device from its iPad lineup in the near future.
The device was only refreshed (albeit halfheartedly) two months ago, but growing demand for Apple’s larger tablets and disappointing sales mean it won’t be around for long.
Introduced in 2012, the iPad mini was a welcome addition to the lineup, offering fans a more portable alternative to Apple’s popular slate at a cheaper price tag. In a world when the largest iPhone had a 4-inch screen, it was ideal for reading, browsing the web, and consuming content on the go.
But with the iPhone now available with a 5.5-inch display and consumers realizing they don’t really need a tablet in their lives, demand for the iPad mini has fallen.
According to a source for BGR, the iPad mini has simply been “sized out of its own category” and it’s “very clear” the device is no longer wanted as far as sales figures are concerned. The source added there is currently “fierce cannibalism of our own products” at Apple, and iPad mini is next on the hit list.
There’s no word on when Apple might discontinue the device, but with a refreshed model going on sale less than two months ago, it’s unlikely to happen imminently. Rumor has it Apple will revamp its iPad lineup later this year — possibly at WWDC in June — so it could come then.
It’s thought Apple is planning to introduce a new iPad Pro will slimmer bezels that will pack a 10.5-inch display into a footprint smaller than that of the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro.
It’s certainly clear that the iPad mini isn’t a priority for Apple anymore. It’s most recent refresh brought nothing more than a storage bump, and with its price tag still sitting at $399 — a full $70 more than the new, entry-level 9.7-inch iPad — the device is a total ripoff.
Still, it will be sad to see the iPad mini go. I still have two that have been passed down to the little ones, and I still think it’s a great form factor for consuming content on the go.
It’s also worth noting that the iPad mini was the first big Apple release under Tim Cook. The Retina MacBook Pro and a redesigned iMac came before it, but the iPad mini was the first that really got fans excited for a new Apple product.
