All the rumors and leaks surrounding the 2019 iPad and iPad mini 5
The rumors surrounding the 2019 iPad launches have started to mount up. AppleInsider covers what has been claimed so far, including the possibility of a fifth-generation version of the pint-sized iPad mini.
iPad
Back in March, Apple released the 2018 9.7" iPad, packing the powerful A10 processor and Apple Pencil support for only $329. This made it the cheapest tablet in the company's product line, and extremely good value for money.
Weirdly, Apple continues to sell the iPad mini 4, a tablet that is less powerful, has no Apple Pencil support and is $70 more expensive than the main iPad. It also has not received any updates since its introduction in 2015, making it long overdue for an overhaul.
After the 2018 iPad Pro was released, we compared the various iPads that are on sale, and advised not to buy the iPad mini 4, because it's simply a bad deal compared to the 2018 iPad.
Thankfully, a bunch of rumors have surfaced pointing to a fifth-generation iPad mini and a 2019 iPad being released in the first half of the year.
In December, sources of the China Business Times claimed Apple will be launching two low-priced iPad models in 2019, with the iPad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad Pro.
We'll have to see it to believe it, but if that's the case, it'll likely support the new Apple Pencil and its new wireless charging method, but we won't know for sure until it happens.
Earlier this month, pictures of a possible iPad Mini 5 showed up on Twitter, packing an antenna line for 4G connections. Other than that, it still seems to be packing a headphone jack, lightning port, and a home button, so there may not be big changes coming to the iPad mini 5 if the photographs are legitimate.
DigiTimes sources claimed on January 17 two suppliers have already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new iPads coming in the first half of 2019.
With all of these recent rumors, there's a good chance we'll see an iPad mini 5 sometime this year, but of course, there's no way to know for sure until either more solid leaks arrive or until Apple actually launches it.
As for the iPad, a lot of us were already expecting an update in March, which is around the time when Apple unveils its budget iPad. It's hard to say if the talk of a major redesign will bear fruit, since any major redesign would warrant a price increase, and Apple wants to keep it priced low for the educational market.
A switch to USB-C and support for the new Apple Pencil seems like it could actually happen without bringing the price up much at all, but at the cost of preventing existing iPad owners from reusing their accessories on the new model, something that has been mostly possible between iPad generations for a few years already.
No matter what happens, AppleInsider will be covering the launches when they happen.
iPad
Back in March, Apple released the 2018 9.7" iPad, packing the powerful A10 processor and Apple Pencil support for only $329. This made it the cheapest tablet in the company's product line, and extremely good value for money.
Weirdly, Apple continues to sell the iPad mini 4, a tablet that is less powerful, has no Apple Pencil support and is $70 more expensive than the main iPad. It also has not received any updates since its introduction in 2015, making it long overdue for an overhaul.
After the 2018 iPad Pro was released, we compared the various iPads that are on sale, and advised not to buy the iPad mini 4, because it's simply a bad deal compared to the 2018 iPad.
Thankfully, a bunch of rumors have surfaced pointing to a fifth-generation iPad mini and a 2019 iPad being released in the first half of the year.
The rumors begin
The first inkling of rumors about the 2019 iPads arrived in October. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made the prediction that a new iPad mini equipped with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel is coming, but he didn't give any timetable for release.In December, sources of the China Business Times claimed Apple will be launching two low-priced iPad models in 2019, with the iPad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad Pro.
We'll have to see it to believe it, but if that's the case, it'll likely support the new Apple Pencil and its new wireless charging method, but we won't know for sure until it happens.
Renders and panels
Over the holidays, images of an iPad Mini 5 case surfaced on SlashLeaks, but they were quickly shut down by OnLeaks, claiming the case was made based upon a 2016 prototype instead of a newer design.Earlier this month, pictures of a possible iPad Mini 5 showed up on Twitter, packing an antenna line for 4G connections. Other than that, it still seems to be packing a headphone jack, lightning port, and a home button, so there may not be big changes coming to the iPad mini 5 if the photographs are legitimate.
DigiTimes sources claimed on January 17 two suppliers have already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new iPads coming in the first half of 2019.
The small possibility
Way back in 2017, an alleged Apple source told BGR the iPad mini has been sized out of its own category. What's most interesting is the iPad mini 4 is still for sale on Apple's website, which points to Apple not giving up on the tablet line just yet.With all of these recent rumors, there's a good chance we'll see an iPad mini 5 sometime this year, but of course, there's no way to know for sure until either more solid leaks arrive or until Apple actually launches it.
As for the iPad, a lot of us were already expecting an update in March, which is around the time when Apple unveils its budget iPad. It's hard to say if the talk of a major redesign will bear fruit, since any major redesign would warrant a price increase, and Apple wants to keep it priced low for the educational market.
A switch to USB-C and support for the new Apple Pencil seems like it could actually happen without bringing the price up much at all, but at the cost of preventing existing iPad owners from reusing their accessories on the new model, something that has been mostly possible between iPad generations for a few years already.
No matter what happens, AppleInsider will be covering the launches when they happen.
Comments
No, but I and many others often call it the Macbook 12 to distinguish it from the rest of the Macbook line without it having an official suffix. iPad 9.7 if you prefer, [budget] being half tongue in cheek.
What would be even better (but is not likely to happen) would be to have an iPad mini enabled as a cell phone that could tether to the Apple Watch. I would drop my iPhone X S keep my series 4 watch and get one of these. I would much prefer an iPad mini as my cell phone over any iPhone.
The iPad dominates the tablet space. I hope the new Mini has the form factor of the Pro, but not all the expensive features, at an attractive price.
Can't wait to see it!
Best.
I agree with others, we do not want a cheap iPad Mini, it should be in its own category for its size, not based on price as compared with larger, but, cheaper screen sizes.
iPad mini 5 needs to have current tech, not last year’s, (or older), except:
- Touch ID is fine, (Face ID not necessary), with the previous iPad Pro form factor is fine, (like in recent pic rumor).
- lightning connector is fine, faster charging with USB-C should be available.
- some kind of pencil support would be nice
It absolutely MUST have a new laminated, anti-glare screen with full P3 WCG, and HDR support. If they offer it with a cheap, glarey retina screen, they MUST also offer a Pro version with the above mentioned laminated, anti-glare screen...this is not optional!
I want them to pair the price, camera, and form factor of the Air 2 with the bezel-free display and pencil 2 support of the Pro.
- split view between same app, different files open
- better file management
- better sharing
- mouse support. I know it’s controversial, but Apple once said they don’t believe in people touching a screen that’s upright, and they were right. Look at what they are selling now: keyboard covers that cause the iPad to stand upright. A mouse cursor is really needed so that I can work fast, minickimg 1 finger behavior.
a laptop.
The iPad Mini 4 only comes with 128 GB of storage and WIFI cellular not sure) and costs $399. It came out in Sept of 2015. You are getting a 3 1/2 year old tablet. You are getting older technology You are getting a slightly smaller screen. Years of serviceable use will be less. The Mini 4 will lose the ability to upgrade to the latest IOS the soonest. Its not a bad deal its a Awful deal plus you have to spend a good amount of money on one.
I have a iPad Mini 4 and use it daily. Got in Oct 2016. As of March 2019 its still useable. Has slowed down just a little but plenty useable.