Despite the fact that we have seen nothing new from Apple through the first two and a half months of 2014, the company reportedly has a huge year planned that will include the launches of a number of new products beginning late in the second quarter. The third quarter is apparently when the action will really start though, and a new report from one of the most reputable sources in the business seemingly reveals key details about Apple’s next-generation iPad Air and iPad mini tablets.
In a research note sent to clients early Thursday morning and later picked up by MacRumors, noted KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed what may be everything there is to know about Apple’s next-generation iPad Air and Retina iPad mini tablets.
According to the report, Apple’s second-generation iPad Air model will be a relatively minor upgrade that features the same design as the current model, for the most part. Key additions include a Touch ID fingerprint scanner embedded in the home button, an upgraded camera and a new A8 processor.
Similarly, Kuo claimed that the new iPad mini with Retina display will be largely the same as the current model, but with a new A8 chipset and a Touch ID scanner.
“We think the upgraded iPad Air will be launched earlier in 2014 than the iPad Air was in 2013. The biggest changes will be A8 processor, Touch ID (fingerprint recognition), and main camera resolution of 8MP,” Kuo wrote.
He continued, “We previously thought Apple would not release a new version of the iPad mini this year, but we now think Apple will launch an upgraded version with same form factor, A8 processor and Touch ID (fingerprint recognition) to boost shipments of iPad mini with Retina display.”
Kuo also said that the current-generation iPad mini with Retina display will remain in Apple’s tablet lineup at a lower price point.
The analyst believes that Apple will release its new iPad Air and Retina iPad mini models late in the third quarter this year.
