This is the iPad mini 4... and the iPad mini 5 at the same time
While Apple has almost certainly given up on its rumored plans to upgrade and drastically redesign the pint-sized iPhone SE, the company's compact tablets are not dead yet. Following in the footsteps of a 2015-released iPad mini 4 that's still up for grabs at $399 and up with 128GB storage space, a new 7.9-incher is widely expected to see daylight this spring alongside a seventh-generation "standard" iPad possibly sporting a larger 10.5-inch screen.
After all this time, you probably assumed the iPad mini 5 would look nothing like its forerunner, but according to multiple reliable sources, the two might actually be essentially identical on the outside. In line with what Japanese blog Macotakara heard from unnamed accessories manufacturers, serial leaker Steve H., aka @OnLeaks, has reason to believe the slate's rear-mounted microphone will be moved to a centered position... and that's pretty much it in terms of visual alterations.
Everything else, including the rather thick screen bezels, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, Lightning port, and 3.5mm headphone jack of the iPad mini 4 are likely to go unchanged for a sequel we've been waiting for since 2016. That's disappointing to hear, but for what it's worth, Steve H. can't "vouch at 100%" for the accuracy of alleged iPad mini 5 factory CAD-based renders he's recently been able to procure.
Curiously, the actual renders are not out yet and it's unclear if we'll ever get to see them, although if they do look so boring and repetitive, there's probably no point in sharing them with the public.
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Of course, depending on the price point and specifications of the iPad mini 5, Apple could still strike gold with an outdated design. If the A8 processor is replaced with an A10X and the starting price circles $250, perhaps with optional Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support offered as well, we're fairly certain the lack of Face ID technology will be excused by most consumers.
Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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