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Apple Will Reportedly Launch iPad Mini 5 and Entry-Level 10-inch iPad Next Year

Apple is preparing to launch a new fifth-generation iPad mini in the first half of 2019, according to sources in the Apple supply chain cited by the China Times (https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20181220001254-260206), followed by a new entry-level iPad in two versions.





<img src="(http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2018/12/ipad-9-7-low-cost-ipad-mini-4.jpg)" alt="" width="1600" height="603" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-672033" />


The report, first spotted by Japanese blog Mac Otakara (http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/rumor/entry-36504.html), claims that Apple is preparing to launch a low-priced so-called iPad mini 5 in the first half of next year in an attempt to halt a general decline in iPad sales, with mass production expected to start by the end of December.





Apple hasn't updated its smallest iPad since September 2015, but the device did receive a price cut in March 2017, with a 128GB capacity model costing $399.





Reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/23/kuo-october-event-ipad-mini-refresh/) claimed in October that Apple is working on a new version of the iPad mini with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost display panel, with the device being launched in 2018 or early next year.





Notably, Kuo's prediction came two months after DigiTimes (https://www.macrumors.com/2018/08/17/entry-level-macbook-ipad-pro-fast-charge-sept/) said it did not believe Apple plans to introduce an updated iPad mini, and in fact has "no further plan" for the smaller tablet.





As for Apple's entry-level iPad, today's report claims that next year Apple will replace its sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad with a similarly priced model that features a 10-inch display within a narrower frame.





Following strong sales of the 2017 model, Apple is said to be launching two low-priced versions of the iPad in 2019 to boost sales growth. A more exact timeframe for launch was not given beyond the "second half" of 2019. Apple's 9.7-inch iPad was last updated in March 2018 and in the same month the year before that.





Apple's 9.7-inch iPad is thicker, heavier, and has fewer features than iPad Pro models, but it does support Apple Pencil and is also Apple's most affordable tablet, starting at $329.





Today's report goes on to say Apple plans to reduce production costs of the two iPads by reducing the amount to LED procurement in Japan and switching to Korean-made LED displays.

<div class="linkback">Related Roundups: iPad mini (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad-mini/), iPad (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/)</div><div class="linkback">Tag: chinatimes.com (https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/chinatimes/)</div><div class="linkback">Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iPad_Mini), iPad (Caution) (https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iPad)</div>
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Source: Apple Will Reportedly Launch iPad Mini 5 and Entry-Level 10-inch iPad Next Year (https://www.macrumors.com/2018/12/21/ipad-mini-5-and-10-inch-ipad-coming-2019/)