Mike Peterson
The next generation of the iPad mini will feature a bigger display and a design inspired by the 2019 iPad Air, according to a new report.
Japanese site Mac Otakara reports that the "iPad mini 6" will debut in March 2021, citing sources within Apple's supply chain in China.
The new iPad mini will feature a larger 8.4-inch display rather than the 7.9-inch screen in past models. It's expected to retain Touch ID and a Lightning port in the traditional locations, but it could feature a narrower frame like the iPad Air 3 from 2019.
That echoes another recent report from Mac Otakara that the 9th-generation iPad model would be inspired by the 2019 iPad Air but would otherwise feature few major design changes.
Thus is not the first time that a screen size change for the iPad mini has been rumored. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast back in 2020 that Apple would release an iPad mini model in the first half of 2021 with a display between 8.5 inches and 9 inches.
The current iPad mini 5 model was released in March 2019 with few changes from the past iteration beyond an A12 Bionic processor and Apple Pencil support. Although short on changes, the iPad mini 5 was Apple's first refresh of the device since 2015.
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Christine McKee
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24 Comments
...Apple won't make an iPad Mini Pro because they know that's what the bulk of users want and it would dent profits. What happened to "the customer is always right"? It's always about $$$$ with Apple.
When they will finally replace damn Lightning port with USB-C. I want to finally get rid of separate charger/converters ...
It is about time! Hope Apple makes it a premium model too. I hate buying a new Mini but it still has inside 2-4 year old components and then they put in a one year old SoC to hide the older components. Apple should at least add additional speakers to the Mini to modernize the audio output. Come on Apple, the Mini is not price sensitive! Price it if you have to with that of the iPad Pro 11”.
Disappointing, if true. I was hoping for the iPad mini 6 to adopt the iPad Air 4 design language with TouchID in the power button.
The styling (and functionality) of the new Air would be very appealing in the mini size, and would go very well with an iPhone mini, can't wait to see. No matter, the mini is always such a sweet little product, but a refresh would be most welcome.