Next version of iPad mini will have 'Retina Display' screen, says report

Apple may be gearing up to revamp the iPad mini with a  screen that has ‘Retina Display’ resolution. According to a report in the _ Wall Street Journal,"_Apple suppliers are gearing up for mass production of a new iPad mini in the fourth quarter that will likely feature a high-resolution screen from Samsung." The report adds that the size of the new tablet will likely be the same as the previous version, at 7.9-inches, but Apple has also been contemplating multiple colour back covers for the new tablet, like they did for fifth generation iPod. The iPad mini currently has a screen resolution of 1024-by-768 resolution at 163 pixels per inch (ppi) which is much lower than other 7-inch tablets in the market such as the Nexus 7 ( the new one has a full HD screen at 1920 x 1200 pixels which comes to 323 pixels per inch). Apple is also relying on Samsung for the screens which as the report points out, shows the complicated relationship between the two rival firms. [caption id=“attachment_1003425” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] iPad mini in this file photo. Reuters[/caption] However, according to a report in 9to5Mac,  Apple’s new iPad mini could come with the new A6 processor chip but no retina display screen. The report is based on references in the iOS 7 SDK (software developer kit) which was sent to the website by a developer. According to hints in the SDK, Apple could use the faster A6 chip in the iPad mini and as the report says, it would mean “the OS runs faster, load up movies more quickly, and better performance and frame-rates while playing games.” As far as the next version of the iPad mini is concerned, Apple could launch it with or without the Retina Display screen in October of November. For Apple the iPad mini has been incredibly successful and  Gartner had reported that the device had accounted for 60 percent of Apple’s tablet sales in the first quarter of 2013. A better screen and a more powerful processor could boost to the tablet’s popularity even more.