iPad Pro mini | iPad mini 5 | When is next iPad mini release date? Plus price and specification rumours

When will Apple launch the iPad mini 5, you ask. The 7.9in tablet, which could even be called the iPad Pro mini, is expected in September. Here’s what you need to know about the fifth-gen iPad mini, including UK release date, price, new feature and specification rumours. Also see: Best new tablets coming in 2016.

iPad mini 5 release date rumours: When is the new iPad mini coming out?

iPad mini 5 UK launch expected: September 2016 

On 9 September 2015 Apple unveiled its iPad mini 4. This was a month earlier than usual, and with no separate iPad launch event scheduled for October it appeared alongside theiPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

Rather than cancelling this second launch event, Apple has simply spread out its events calendar more evenly: it had one launch event in March, the WWDC developers conference in June, and a second launch event in September.

We expect Apple to follow that pattern this year. We’ve already seen the March launch event, where we took our first look at the iPhone SE and iPad Pro 9.7; and WWDC was dedicated to announcing software updates.

In the past we’ve had to wait a week or so following the launch event for the iPad mini to go on sale, but Apple began selling the iPad mini 4 immediately after its announcement in September 2015. See also: iPad Air 3 rumours and iPad Pro 2 rumours

iPad mini 5 UK price rumours: How much will the new iPad mini cost?

Apple tends to keep the price of its iPad mini line-up the same, reducing the price of its previous-generation mini when the new model goes on sale.

Based on 2015’s iPad mini 4 pricing, we can expect the iPad mini 5 to be priced as follows:

• 16GB Wi-Fi only: £319
• 16GB Wi-Fi + 4G: £419
• 64GB Wi-Fi: £399
• 64GB Wi-Fi + 4G: £499
• 128GB Wi-Fi: £479
• 128GB Wi-Fi + 4G: £579

The iPad mini 4 is available – and the iPad mini 5 will be available – direct from Apple, as well as third-party vendors such as John Lewis and Currys.

iPad mini 5 or iPad Pro mini?

The jury’s still out on whether Apple will introduce a mini model in its Pro iPad line-up. It’s entirely possible – after all, in March we were hopeful for a new iPad Air 3 (the iPad Air 2 was not refreshed last September alongside the iPad mini), and instead we got the iPad Pro 9.7. Perhaps Apple will update its standard and Pro iPads on a biennial basis.

On the other hand, you could argue that the 7.9in screen is too small for productivity (or an even smaller keyboard cover) so it’s just as feasible that Apple will keep the ‘Pro’ suffix for the 9.7in and 12.9in models. And if it is only a suffix, it could even be called the iPad mini Pro.

iPad mini 5 design rumours: What will the new iPad mini look like?

The iPad mini 5 is more than likely going to look very familiar to the iPad mini 4, with the same 7.9in Retina display. However, it’s tipped to feature a 7000-series aluminium chassis, which will make it more durable. That’s handy, since it’s also rumoured to be thinner than its predecessor: just 5mm thick.

Also expect Apple to introduce a Rose Gold colour option, as it has done elsewhere in its hardware line-up.

iPad mini 5 new feature rumours: What’s new in the new iPad mini?

• 3D Touch: Apple introduced 3D Touch on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, and it’s expected to make its way to the iPad mini line in 2016. 3D Touch is able to register how much pressure is applied to the screen and offer differing options as a result.

• IP68 protection: None of Apple’s hardware is waterproof, but it is a soughtafter feature in the Android world, with Sony leading the pack and Samsung reintroducing water- and dust protection in its S7 series. We’d love to see IP68 certification in an iPad, but we can’t avoid the feeling this tip may be just wishful thinking.

• Apple Pencil: Should Apple decide to introduce an iPad Pro mini rather than an iPad mini 5, the new iPad mini will more than likely feature Apple’s posh new stylus.

• iOS 10: We know a new version of Apple’s iPad and iPhone operating system will be released on the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, so any new iPads Apple might release will also feature iOS 10.

iPad mini 5 specification rumours: What to expect from the new iPad mini

• Processor: The iPad mini 4 features the Apple A8 processor and M8 motion co-processor, so expect to see the A9 and M9 in the iPad mini 5.

• 32GB storage as standard: The iPad mini 4 is currently offered in 16GB, 64GB and 128GB versions. We’d love to see Apple ditch the 16GB iPad mini, which we feel just isn’t enough storage for most users’ needs. An iPad mini with 32GB of storage as standard would be brilliant, and is exactly what is offered with the new iPad Pro, so certainly a possibility.

• Screen: We doubt Apple will upgrade the screen resolution, because doing so would go against all it said previously about the Retina display. As before expect a 7.9in Retina IPS display, but here with the possible addition of 3D Touch.

• Battery: According to Cult of Mac the iPad mini 5 will feature a smaller-capacity battery in order to fit into 5mm frame, but using improved technology so it doesn’t negatively impact runtime. The iPad mini 4 features a 5,124mAh battery.

• Cameras: No changes are expected here. The new iPad mini will likely feature an 8Mp camera at the rear and 1.2Mp at the front.

• No headphone port: The iPhone 7 is widely tipped to ditch the standard 3.5mm headphone jack in favour of a new D-jack. And if the iPhone loses the headphone connector, you can guarantee the new iPad mini will do so also.

• NFC: Although it is possible to use Apple Pay on the iPad mini, doing so isn’t seamless because it doesn’t support NFC. Apple has bitten the bullet with the iPhone; expect it to do the same with the iPad mini.

[Source:- Tech Advisor]