iPad mini owners need to be at Starbucks or other areas with Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet. UK-based newspaper The Guardian, citing "sources", says the miniature version of the 9.7-inch iPad may only be coming with Wi-Fi connectivity. In contrast, the iPad 3 released in March has Wi-Fi + cellular variants (starting at $629) that are able to connect to AT&T's or Verizon's high speed data networks. Previous leaked images showed an iPad mini that has a nano-SIM tray for 3G or 4G LTE connectivity. The iPad mini is expected to have a 7.85-inch display, a lower resolution than the iPad 3's highly touted 2048 x 1536 Retina resolution, and pricing substantially below the $499 entry-level iPad 3.
What Else You Need To Know
- The Guardian also claims that Apple is readying a revised 9.7-inch iPad with the Lighting dock connector (found in the newly released iPhone 5) and the ability to work with the 4G LTE network run by U.K. Everything Everywhere.
- The iPad mini would compete with the $199 tablets Amazon Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7. The Nexus 7 also lacks a cellular connectivity option. Amazon's 7-inch Kindle Fire tablets are Wi-Fi only, but its 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD tablet shipping in November comes with a 4G variant (starting at $499).
Other sources
The reasoning for Wi-Fi only is based on keeping costs low, and to reserve the larger iPad as the only cellular data capable device.- Gary Ng, iPadinCanada
If true, that would mean that the iPad Mini would not be able to run on 3G networks, as has been rumored in the past, nor would it be able to run on 4G LTE networks on AT&T or Verizon.- Adam Mills , GottaBeMobile
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iPad mini rumored to be wi-fi only, iPad 3 mark II rumored to be international LTE friendly
Industry sources indicated to the Guardian that they do not expect to see 3G-capable versions of the iPad mini. That would allow Apple to produce it comparatively cheaply and to limit the top price of the product, while retaining mobile broadband connectivity for its pricier iPad line.
- GottaBeMobile
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iPad Mini May Skip 3G, Feature Wi-Fi Only
If true, that would mean that the iPad Mini would not be able to run on 3G networks, as has been rumored in the past, nor would it be able to run on 4G LTE networks on AT&T or Verizon.
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- Did Apple Make a Last Minute Design Change for iPad Mini?
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