Apple Rumored to Cease iPad Mini Production in Favor of 12.2" 'iPad Pro'

The runaway success of the iPhone 6 Plus no doubt proves to Apple that big is in, but is that success enough to make the Cupertino company turn its back on one of its most highly rated devices? Apparently so, according to a dubious new rumor from Taiwan's Economy Daily News (via MacRumors), which claims that Apple plans to discontinue the device in favor of the long-rumored, gigantic 12.2-inch "iPad Pro."

If true, that means the model released last month could be the last iPad mini ever made. The report claims that Apple came to its alleged decision not only because of the clear market preference for larger devices, but also because of the poor showing we've seen from iPads as a whole over the last couple of years and the associated competition in the tablet market.

Recent events may hint at some truth in the rumor. During last month's iPad event, for instance, the iPad mini received only seconds' worth of stage time while the new iPad Air hogged the presentation with news about Touch ID, a better camera, and the like. Furthermore, the iPad mini has seen relatively few changes since its release, and most of those changes centered on secondary factors such as price and storage space.

But it's far from certain if this latest rumor bears any truth as the Economic Daily News has a turbulent record when it comes to Apple rumors. The publication claims to get its information from supply lines in China, but it was flat-out wrong when, say, it suggested the large iPhone 6 Plus wouldn't actually be called an iPhone or that the Apple Watch would be out by August. It's been right on other occasions, as MacRumors notes, such as when it reported accurate sizes for the Apple Watch.

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