The second quarter of the 2013 could see shipments of the iPad mini cut, according industry sources.
A report noted Apple is preparing to ship between 10 to 12 million units of the 7.9-inch tablet. The alleged decision may be as high as a 20 percent decrease for the month of April, alone.
A speculated reason for Apple reducing iPad mini shipments may be to prepare for the next 7.9-inch tablet - the iPad mini 2. According to DigiTimes, sources stated the iPad mini 2 is likely to be released during the third quarter this year.
"However, the sources also noted that Apple's cut is because of increased competition from various 7-inch Android tablets," DigiTimes added.
The rumor of Apple cutting iPad mini shipments comes after a report stated the Cupertino-based company has severed its partnership with Samsung. Despite ongoing patent infringement trials, Apple has utilized Samsung as a manufacturer for their iPad displays. According to South Korea's ETNews, Apple has issued for the components needed for the fifth generation iPad and the iPad mini 2 to a few manufacturers, Samsung, however, was not on the list.
NDP DisplaySearch has projected Apple would ship 55 million iPad mini units during 2013. According to NDP DisplaySearch, the iPad mini's demand is eclipsing the 9.7-inch iPad. Initially, the regular-sized iPad was to sell 60 million units compared to the iPad mini's 40 million units. NDP DisplaySearch now believes the figures will reverse.
Overall, the tablet market is expected to sell 254 million units during 2013, up 94 million from the 160 million units sold in 2012.
The iPad mini also features 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB of internal storage variants with 512MB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera with 2,592x1,944 pixels, front-facing camera with 1.2 megapixels, iOS 6 operating system, and is available in black and white color options.
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