Apple May Drop iPad Mini Line in Favor if iPad Pro Line [Rumor]

[dgstorm]

Here's a strange bit of "rumint" for this Monday afternoon. According to the latest scuttlebutt, Apple may be considering dropping their iPad Mini line in favor of their rumored new 12-inch iPad Pro line instead. Here's a quote with a few ore details,

According to supply chain sources cited by the Taiwanese media, Apple might discontinue the iPad Mini series next year in order to concentrate its efforts on the iPad Pro.

This decision (says the source) might also have something to do with the dwindling sales figures of the iPad mini series. With the latest model bringing almost no improvements over the iPad mini 2, the situation could get even hairier next year and Apple could switch gears and focus on the iPad Pro instead – which also shapes up to be a strong Microsoft Surface Pro 3 rival. ~ GforGames

We have to admit we are quite a bit skeptical of this rumor. While the idea that the iPad mini sales are both slumping and cannibalizing the iPad is worthy of concern, we can't imagine see that Apple worries much about the Microsoft Surface Pro products much right now. Microsoft's tablet devices are barely a blip compared to the massive sales of the iPad.

 

[s2mikey]

It's not likely but I could see it happening at some point. The big phones are cutting into sales of the smaller tablets and the larger screen of the full sized tablets is simply a better, more immersive experience.

It's not like the mini fits into a shirt or jeans pocket either. It's not that much more portable than the already svelt and light iPad Air models.

We shall see.