Since the release of the iPad Mini 5 in March 2019, there have been numerous rumors about its successor. However, rumors about this device have been relatively quiet with specific details far between. However, many still expect to see a smaller, compact iPad Mini 6 before the end of 2021 – likely around fall.
Experts and enthusiasts waited to no end for an announcement of a new iPad Mini at the Apple Spring Event but instead got a new iPad Pro without any small tablets. When exactly would we welcome the sixth generation of the iPad Mini? No one is quite sure but it doesn’t seem like it would take any much longer.
This type of redesign could lead to the development of an iPad Mini with reasonable differences when compared to its preceding generations. The iPad Mini 6 is expected to be designed with smaller bezels, a large display, an improved TouchID that would be integrated into a fingerprint scanner, and so on.
iPad Minis are the smallest iPads on the markets and are designed with screen sizes smaller than entry-level iPads. They are specially made for users who may not be interested in using the 12.9 – inch iPad Pro but want something with similar processing power and other impressive features alongside the remarkable Apple iPadOS interface.
Apple’s tablets can be confusing to users as many are unsure if the iPad Mini is supposed to sit above, alongside, or below the entry-level iPad tablets in the pecking order.
iPad Mini 6 Release Date and Price
According to Apple leaker Mark Gurman, the iPad Mini 6 would be released in fall 2021 and will feature a high level of remodeling. Even though nothing has been specified yet, it’s difficult to discredit the rumors from Gurman. It’s worth paying some attention to.
This fall is expected to come with some great news from Apple as many people anticipate the release of the iPhone 13. With Apple’s next titular phone expected to be released in September or October, it won’t be a surprise to find that the iPad Mini 6 is revealed during this period.
The iPad Mini 6 will likely come at the same $399 price tag as its predecessor. Apple has seemed to maintain its tablets at the same price for many years now and they are expected to follow the same strategy this year.
iPad Mini 6 Display and Touch ID
Perhaps, the biggest news that has been confirmed about this new device is that it would be anything but miniature. The new iPad is expected to come with an 8.4-inch screen which is a sizeable difference when compared to the 7.9-inch screen of the iPad Mini 5.
iPad Mini 6 Processor and Internal Hardware
Tech expert Jon Prosser claims that the new iPad Mini 6 will feature the A14 Bionic chip, the same chip that was used in the iPhone 12 models. Also, the phone is designed with USB-C Port. There are even some rumors that this tablet would support 5G connectivity.
However, another post by a Chinese blog MyDrivers.Com claims that the iPad Mini 6 would come with the A13 processor. This upgrade would make more sense as it would be a direct improvement on the A12 Bionic used in its predecessor.
iPad Mini 6 Design
There have been several attempts at rendering what is supposed to be the design of the iPad Mini 6. A compilation of renders by Jon Prosser shows the new tablet with smaller bezels and without any home button. The 7.9 – inch screen also increases to an 8.4-inch display. A power button is located on the top right corner of the tablet and is said to also function as the Touch ID button. This rumored designed for the tablet has also been backed up by another report and it’s what many people are looking forward to.
These renders also show the dimensions of the iPad Mini 6 to be 206.3mm x 137.8mm x 6.1mm. According to this dimension, this new tablet would be 3mm longer and wider than its predecessor.
iPad Mini 6: What We’d Like To See
These are some of the changes and new features that we would love to see on the new table based on the experiences learned from using its predecessor and other iPads. They include;
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Lesser Price
Apple’s tablet lineup is quite confusing with the similar pricing of entry-level iPads and iPad Minis. Considering the smaller size and lesser features of iPad Minis, many consider it to be pricier than other Apple tablets. Many people wonder as to why they should get an iPad Mini and the similar price tag was not helping its cause.
If users were to settle for something smaller and with a little less power, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to reduce the price.
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A 3.5mm headphone jack
As far as we know, all iPad Minis come with 3.5mm headphone jacks, but that’s far from assured with Apple’s habit of cutting out jacks or ports from new devices. It’d be a nice idea to retain the headphone jack as it would be useful to those who would want to plug into physical speakers or hands-free devices.
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Apple Pencil 2 Support
The iPad Mini 5 is compatible with Apple Pencil 1 but it has become outdated and many people would prefer the latest Apple Pencil. We’d like to see the iPad Mini 6 work with the Apple Pencil 2 which is easy to use and can be charged simply. It would be a nice idea if this pencil was not reserved only for high-end iPad Pros.
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No LiDAR Scanner
The new iPad Pros feature the LiDAR scanner including iPhone 12. Apple has designed it to be used for AR but not everyone is interested in this new technology. It would make a lot of sense for Apple to leave this feature out of their iPad Mini 6. Many people would prefer the lesser price of the tablet without the scanner.
