According to a new report coming out of The Guardian, when Apple launches the infamous iPad mini, it will only come in a Wi-Fi only flavor. While this may initially be a bummer for some potential customers out there, in the long run this definitely makes sense.
If Apple releases an iPad mini, it will be the low-cost solution to the much higher-priced full-sized iPad, and 3G/4G data in a device only drives the cost up, defeating the purpose of creating a budget device. In an extreme metaphor, buying an iPad mini with cellular data would kind of be like buying a Honda instead of a Corvette, but paying to put gold rims on it.
As The Guardian put it,
“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.”
Now, the iPad mini wasn’t the only device mentioned in The Guardian’s article. The 9.7-inch iPad was also touched upon, with sources reportedly claiming a slightly updated version that sports the new Lightning connection port will launch alongside the iPad mini.
This is definitely interesting stuff to consider. Will a lack of cellular connectivity deter you from purchasing the iPad’s smaller cousin, or have you already made up your mind about the iPad mini one way or the other? Let me know in the comments section below
