Competitors are already ahead of Apple in terms of hardware capabilities, with apples having to step in if they don’t want to lag ugly.
The Wall Street Journal learned that the next-generation iPad mini could get the bigger brother’s Retina display, more specifically the technology, as the larger display would have a hard time fitting into a smaller iPad.
The point is that competing manufacturers are already putting a high-resolution display in their 7-inch machines, while Apple’s smaller tablet will only have a 1024 × 768 display. Higher resolution not only looks good on the data sheet, but is one of the capabilities of the machine that determines the quality of use. Higher resolution means sharper images and more contrasting letters, making the user's eyes less tiring. That’s why it’s important for Apple to step in, as it’s supposed to be making premium handsets at a premium price.
