The iPad Mini lineup from Apple has often been overlooked by many, but is in fact one of the company's most successful device ranges. With the disappointing non-inclusion of the iPad Mini 5 in the 2016 roster of Apple devices, fans are clamoring for the update, with high anticipated for the specs and features.
Fans, however, may actually not see any iPad Mini 5 to be released in the future. Rumors have it that the upcoming tablet range will be rebranded as the iPad Mini Pro. This goes in line with the newer iPad Pro lineup that is geared toward productivity and professional use. The iPad Mini 5 is also said to see a lot of upgrades in terms of design and specs.
With the rebranding of the iPad Mini 5, the iPad Mini Pro will be the first generation of this new lineup. This new range is said to be align with the new focus on the Pro family in the years to come. This decision by Apple then effectively eliminated the whole iPad Mini series, in favor of the 7.9-inch variant of the iPad Pro.
The iPad Mini 5, or the iPad Pro Mini, will then be coming in three storage variants. The 16GB has already been phased out by the tech giant in its other flagship devices, so this would likely be the case here too. There would then be 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB storage options available.
At least the A9 chipset is predicted to run the iPad Mini 5, paired with at least 3GB of RAM. The iPad Mini Pro will also likely sport the M9 processor dedicated to movement tracking. An 8-megapixel rear snapper would also be present, as well as a 1.2-megapixel selfie shooter.
The iPad Mini Pro, or iPad Mini 5, will then be packing the lineup's signature 7.9-inch display with Retina IPS technology. The 3D Touch innovation from other Apple flagships would also make an appearance. Overall, the body will be encased in aluminum for a very premium build. March 2017 also seems to be a very favorable release window for the new tablet.
