Apple has placed orders for more than 10 million iPad mini units for the fourth quarter, according to a new report. The Wall Street Journal, citing component suppliers in Asia, reported that Apple is expecting strong demand for its scaled-down slate, despite stiff competition in the 7-inch tablet market. In comparison, Amazon placed orders for half as many Kindle Fire tablets in the same quarter, the suppliers said.
Rumors about an iPad mini have been making the rounds for months – even before the launch of the new iPad. Apple has not officially confirmed plans to launch the smaller tablet, but word has it that the new 7.85-inch iPad is now being mass produced in several factories in Asia.
The iPad mini will reportedly come with a lower resolution screen than that of the standard iPad, and production of those screens began last month via Taiwan’s AU Optronics and South Korea’s LG Display. Other rumors indicate that the iPad’s smaller sibling will be priced competitively against Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire, both available starting at $199.
With production reportedly in full-swing, Apple is widely expected to unveil the device in the near future. The latest rumor indicates that Apple will send out press invites for the iPad mini event on Oct. 10, which probably means the press conference will be on Oct. 17. At that rate, we will then see the iPad mini on store shelves by Nov. 2 – just in time for the holiday rush.
Previously, rumors had been swirling that the tech giant would unveil the iPad mini alongside the next-generation iPhone on Sept. 12, but Apple experts suggested that Cupertino did want to unveil two flagship devices at once.
During its most recent quarter, Apple sold 17 million iPads. The company will release its third quarter results on Oct. 25.
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