ust days after the iPad Mini landed at stores and doorsteps, we have a tantalizing rumor from the Asia supply chain about a future Retina version of the 7.9-inch tablet.
Chinese-language DoNews said in a story dated November 7 that iPad Mini display maker AUO is working on a 2,048x1,536 pixel resolution display for the next iPad Mini.
That would be the same resolution of the 9.7-inch Retina display on the third- and fourth-generation iPads. And would translate to a 300-plus pixel density (versus the iPad 4's 264 pixels per inch) because you're packing the same number of pixels into a 7.9-inch display.
Just a wild rumor? Well, you don't really need a chatty source in the supply chain to speculate about a future Retina version of the iPad Mini.
After all, the non-Retina iPad Mini is sandwiched between two marquee Apple Retina products -- the 4-inch iPhone 5 and 9.7-inch iPad. (Not to mention two MacBook Pro Retina models.) So, it wouldn't be ludicrous for Apple to begin making plans for a Retina Mini.
And one of the most consistent criticisms of the iPad Mini is its grainy 163 pixels-per-inch display. So, Apple would be remiss if it didn't address this shortcoming at some point.
But don't get too excited. The report claims the Retina-class display aimed at the Mini wouldn't appear until next year, probably the latter half.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
