The latest iteration in the iPad mini series is revealed alongside the iPhone 6s duo and iPad Pro last year, but those not quite impressed are already rooting for a successor. Of course, that's easily dubbed the iPad mini 5, and with expectations of its appearance later this year, rumors surrounding its specs and features have already made their way to the Internet.
Owing to the release of the iPad Pro, however, many are convinced that Apple may no longer pay attention to the iPad mini lineup. Followers would know that the iPad mini 3, for instance, is almost quite similar to its predecessor, if not for few upgrades. The improvement in the iPad mini 4 is much more noticeable, like being thinner than the iPhone 6s. It's a 0.65-pound slate that's convenient enough to carry around, and with many of its features closely drawn from the iPad Air 2, it's certainly a good deal.
Here are five things rumored about the iPad mini 5:
1. Thinner Body
As speculations suggest, the iPad mini 5 will be thinner than its predecessor, which already has a depth of 6.1mm. As per Macworld, the exact peg is at 5mm, and because of the fact that Korean rival Samsung is able to do close such measurement for the Galaxy Tab S2, there could be no reason it's impossible for Apple.
2. 3D Touch
The existent technology present in Apple's latest smartphones are believed to pack in the iPad mini 5. To date, none of the Cupertino giant's iPad models is sporting the feature, so there's no wonder prospects are eager to see it in the next iPad models. Well, if not the iPad mini 5 yet, perhaps the iPad Air 3?
3. Smaller Battery
According to reports, the iPad mini 5 will sport a smaller battery, but because of superior technology, it will still be able to match the 5,124 mAh capacity of its predecessor. It's exciting to know how this works, but we'll have to wait for now.
4. Processor Upgrade
Under the hood, the next iPad mini is touted to run an A9 processor - a bump from the A8 chip of the iPad mini 4. If this is realized, users can expect faster performance and better graphics.
5. More Premium Feel
The iPad mini 5 is said to have 7000 Series Aluminium for its framework, enhancing durability and generally giving the slate a more premium vibe. This kind of chassis is present in the latest iPhone models, so it would be ideal to see it in the next iPads, too.
Details on the rumored tablet's price are mum at this point, but remembering how Apple slashed the price of the current iPad mini, prospects are expecting the successor to follow a similar trend. The iPad mini 4 sells from $399.
