Cheaper iPad mini Coming?

Apple released the original iPad mini to avoid losing a ton of market share to companies such as Amazon or Google. The device is more expensive than the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7 but has reached millions of homes already. Could Apple introduce an even cheaper iPad mini? That’s what KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo is suggesting:

Prior to iPad mini 2 launch, Apple might roll out a more affordable iPad mini to compete with Android products. To cut costs, Apple might push for lower component prices, use a more advanced process to produce the A5 processor, simplify metal casing production, remove the rear camera, cut storage to 8GB and find more component suppliers to lower costs. We think this cheaper iPad mini retail for US$199~249.

I am a bit skeptical about this. It is true that Apple has changed its tablet strategy slightly in the past to keep its momentum going. But the device described above may not be able to keep up with the Kindle Fire HD and Nexus 7. Considering that Apple is also thinking about releasing cheaper iPhones, the move would not shock me.