iPad mini and 4th Gen iPad likely to hit India tomorrow

There has been a flurry of rumours surrounding the launch date of the iPad mini and the new iPad in India. Speculation was rife that these highly anticipated devices would be launched in India this week, so we contacted a number of our sources in the official distribution channel. While our sources weren't able to provide us with any concrete evidence, they did say that there was a very high possibility of the iPad mini and the fourth generation iPad hitting shelves in India tomorrow, December 7, 2012. The retailers and distributors we contacted did not reveal the pricing and or any other information.

We contacted Apple India regarding the same, but the company did not want to comment on the subject.

The iPad mini is coming soon

According to some sources, the 16 GB iPad mini Wi-Fi only version is expected to be available for Rs 21,900, while the 32 GB and 64 GB versions may sell for Rs 27,900 and Rs 33,900, respectively. The iPad mini Wi-Fi + cellular version may cost Rs 29,900 for the 16 GB version, and the 32 GB version may be priced at Rs 35,900. The high-end 64 GB iPad mini Wi-Fi + cellular version will sell for Rs 41,900.

The fourth generation, 9.7-inch iPad Wi-Fi only version is rumoured to be selling at Rs 31,900, the 32 GB model at Rs 37,900, and the 64 GB one at Rs 43,900. The Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad 16 GB version would cost Rs 39,900; the 32 GB tablet would cost Rs 45,900; and the 64 GB variant may sell for Rs 51,900.

If the mini is indeed priced at Rs 21,900 (16 GB), it can compete directly with the Nexus 7 and the Galaxy Tab 2 (310), both of which are priced slightly below Rs 20,000. Read our comparison of these three tablets here.

Apple has so far launched some of its products at a rather high price in India. A prime example is the new iPod touch portable media player. The Apple India website shows the iPod touch 32 GB version priced at Rs 23,900 and the 64 GB version at Rs 30,900. Keeping in mind the fact that the iPod touch is a portable media player minus the connectivity offered by a phone, the price for India could have been a bit lower. If the expected price of the iPad mini holds true, this tablet will be cheaper than the PMP by Rs 2,000. That would be a slightly twisted turn of events. 

While both devices can be used for entirely different purposes, purchasing an iPad mini would make more sense than buying an iPod touch. However, you'd lose out on approximately 16 GB of space, Retina Display capabilities and a few other features.

Apple stated that the new iPad's design is such that it is now 23 percent thinner and 53 percent lighter than the third generation iPad. The iPad mini sports a 7.9-inch multi-touch display, FaceTime HD, and iSight cameras.

Read our review of the iPad mini here.

Pricing courtesy - Saholic.com