In the midst of global tablet market stagnation for the latter half of 2023, Taiwan-based DigiTimes anticipates a revival in Apple’s market share. The expected upturn is attributed to Apple’s plans for a new small-size iPad in the fourth quarter. While iPad shipments experienced a sequential decline greater than non-iPad tablets in Q2, causing a dip in iPad’s market share for two consecutive quarters, the tide is expected to turn.
DigiTimes has a history of obtaining its information directly from the suppliers responsible for manufacturing Apple’s hardware components. Although the outlet’s interpretive record is mixed, it should be noted that its sources are often accurate. Therefore, caution should be exercised until the information is verified by additional reliable sources.
In a corroborative fashion, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman suggested earlier this year that an iPad mini with a minor “spec bump” is plausible. A notable leaker, “ShrimpApplePro,” last month also alluded to a seventh-generation iPad mini in development. However, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo speculated that mass production of a new iPad mini is more likely to start in Q1 2024, tempering expectations for a release this year.
In terms of hardware, if any update is to happen before the holiday season, it may most likely feature a chip upgrade. The current sixth-generation iPad mini houses the A15 Bionic chip, while the newest iPhone models boast the A16 and A17 Pro chips. Any update could also extend to the front and rear cameras, perhaps incorporating features like the Photonic Engine for the first time in an iPad model.
The recent iPad Pro iterations introduced Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It seems highly probable that these advanced features will be integrated into the next iPad mini update, whenever that may be.
Overall, while the tablet market has been lackluster, Apple’s strategy to introduce a new small-size iPad could be a significant move to regain its declining market share. Whether or not these rumors come to fruition, all eyes will be on Apple in the coming months.
