It’s being reported that the iPad mini 2 is going to get a Retina display. The truth is we all expected that. In fact, many expected it up until reliable reports came in saying that it would be low resolution, like pre-Retina iOS devices.

According to the reports, Apple is getting ready to start production on Retina screens for the iPad mini. That’s probably not far from the truth. They want to have plenty in order to meet demand, and if they plan on updating their entire iProduct line, they may have to begin manufacturing fairly early.

It’s also worth noting that there are also reports that Apple is beginning initial runs of the iPhone 5S, but this is likely to test production. True or not, it’s likely that Apple does plan to release an iPhone 5S soon, and that they do plan for a Retina iPad mini.

The main job of the iPad 4 was also to harmonise the new connector. It would be silly to have one current device using the old port, and all the other devices to use the new one.

Then why not release the iPad mini as a retina device with a lightning connector from day one?

I appreciate that but why didn't they wait till they had enough screens to do that. It might actually hurt sales if people think that the product cycle is substantially shorter. If you think that the feature you want will only be out six months later you will hold out. Also recent buyers will feel cheated.

I appreciate that but why didn't they wait till they had enough screens to do that. It might actually hurt sales if people think that the product cycle is substantially shorter. If you think that the feature you want will only be out six months later you will hold out. Also recent buyers will feel cheated.

Kind of assumes the rumour an iPad mini retina is actually going to appear shortly. I actually doubt that. Next spring, perhaps, but not a month after launch.

It will be about 12 months before it's replaced.

Does it need to be a retina device? To do so would require either the same pixel count as the full size iPad, or to have another set of pixel dimensions for the screen at the retina dot pitch. The latter would require another set of bitmaps in apps, which means apps would need to ship with three sets if bitmaps - one for each iPad variant. That's wasteful, and kicks off unnecessary app bloat.

Right now, as it's smaller and running at the same resolution as the original non retina iPads, developers need to nothing to their apps.

Now on iOS and Android, we are back to the bad old days of having different sized bitmaps for each resolution.