As the popularity of waterproof smart devices continues to increase, the need for tablet computers to be used in humid environments has become increasingly prominent. According to well-known technology journalist Mark Gurman and other industry sources, Apple plans to launch its first waterproof tablet, the new generation iPad mini, in October this year. Previously, none of Apple's iPads have received official waterproof certification and are not recommended for direct use in humid environments. This upcoming product is expected to break this limitation.
In order to achieve excellent dustproof and waterproof effects, Apple is rumored to have adopted a highly innovative "micro-vibration speaker system." This technology abandons the open-hole design of traditional speakers and instead vibrates and produces sound through the flat surface of the flat body, directly converting part of the body structure into a speaker diaphragm. This design not only eliminates the speaker mesh on the body, greatly reducing the channels for water vapor and dust to intrude, but also makes its dust-proof and waterproof logic very different from the way the iPhone relies on adhesives and gaskets to seal the mesh. In fact, Apple had applied for a patent for a similar mechanically driven panel acoustic system as early as 2014, and now this technology has finally been commercialized.
In addition to the expansion of usage scenarios brought by waterproof performance, the new generation iPad mini will also usher in a number of major upgrades. In terms of screen, this model will use an OLED panel after the iPad Pro, which can provide higher contrast, pure black display and better power consumption performance; previous news from the Korean supply chain showed that the screen size is about 8.4 inches and the refresh rate is 60Hz. In terms of core performance, relevant system codes and test logs show that the new phone is expected to be equipped with the same A19 Pro chip as the iPhone Air or the new A20 Pro chip, achieving a leap-forward improvement in performance. As panel mass production progresses and Apple's hardware release cycle approaches, this lightweight tablet with fully waterproof capabilities may completely reshape users' e-reading and entertainment experience in bathrooms, poolside and other scenarios.