Even though the Wi-Fi only iPad mini is set to be released and delivered on November 2nd, users looking to purchase the Wi-Fi + 4G LTE model will have to wait a bit. Even though Apple’s website reads that the iPad mini with LTE will be delivered in “mid-November”, customers who’ve preordered the device are finding delivery dates of November 23rd (free shipping) and November 21st (expedited shipping).
Needless to say, this has really ground the gears of some who preordered the device. Heck, some users on Twitter have said that they’ve canceled their order altogether because of the shipping delay. And while they have the right to be a bit irritated, they were told that the device wouldn’t get to their doorstep until later next month. I guess everyone’s perception of the middle of the month is different, but the 23rd seems a bit late in the month to me.
So, why did Apple decide to release the 4G LTE iPad after the Wi-Fi only model? While we haven’t gotten an official answer from Apple, we’re pretty sure it has something to do with Apple trying to conserve space on Foxconn’s assembly lines. Since the Wi-Fi only model tends to be more popular than the LTE model, they might as well produce them first at a faster rate. Keep in mind that this isn’t the first time Apple has done this either. The first-generation Wi-Fi only iPad was delivered weeks before the Wi-Fi + 3G edition.
