Apple To Release New iPhone, iPad mini, iPod touch This Fall, iPad 4 Coming Next Year With Familiar Design [Rumor]

By

Screen Shot 2012-07-30 at 10.56.46 AM

We just heard that Apple plans to announce the next iPhone, iPod lineup, and iPad mini at an event on September 12th, and now more rumors have surfaced regarding Apple’s iPhone and iPad roadmap, including the iPad 4 and some new cases.

While Apple is expected to ship the iPad mini by November, it’s currently unclear if the smaller tablet will ship at the same time as the iPhone 5 or not. The next major version of the current iPad is rumored to be a more of an evolutionary upgrade to the third-gen iPad, and Apple is expected to implement the same smaller dock connector that will be in the new iPhone.

iLounge offers several new tidbits after iMore reported the September 12th/21st announcement/launch dates this morning.

Affirming what we’ve already heard, iLounge also says that the new iPhone will be out by mid to late-September. A new iPod touch will also be announced at Apple’s September media event and it will “grow in screen size and performance relative to its 3.5”-screened, A4 CPU-based predecessor.” Expect a 4-inch display like the new iPhone. Interestingly, iLounge seems to think that the iPod nano will not see a refresh.

Regarding the iPad mini, iLounge says:

The iPad mini will apparently not be ready to ship at the same time as the new iPhone, and might* have its own debut event. Our source says that it could ship by November, which we noted would be really close to year’s end, during a month that typically doesn’t see new hardware releases from Apple; our source stood firm on the target date. On the accessory front, Apple is working on smaller versions of the iPad Smart Cover and iPad Smart Case for the iPad mini.

Two Apple cases are also being worked on for the iPhone 5 as well, according to the report. One is similar to the current Bumper case, while the other is something else entirely. Interesting.

iLounge also offers some of the first information regarding the fourth-gen iPad. The third-gen “new iPad” was released back in March, and Apple is logically expected to announce the next iPad around the same timeframe in 2013. The iPad 4 is said to be a “modest” upgrade in terms of physical design changes, although Apple is expected to implement the rumored 19-pin dock connector. According to iLounge, the iPad 4 will also have a rear-side microphone and spec-improving/heat-reducing changes.

Don’t get the iPad 4 confused with the iPad mini; the first will be the successor to the current iPad and retail for $500, while the second will feature a smaller 8-inch screen and cheaper price point.

iLounge has had some sketchy predications in the past, but the publication did get third-gen iPad details right. iLounge was one of the first proponents of a longer and thinner iPhone 5 with metallic back. Purported part leaks of the new iPhone show a design that matches up with predictions.

So, it would be wise to hold off on buying any iOS device Apple currently sells until September.

Source: iLounge

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.