iPad mini with 8.4-inch display and narrower frame coming in March, report claims
The next generation of the iPad mini will feature a bigger display and a design inspired by the 2019 iPad Air, according to a new report.
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
Japanese site Mac Otakara reports that the "iPad mini 6" will debut in March 2021, citing sources within Apple's supply chain in China.
The new iPad mini will feature a larger 8.4-inch display rather than the 7.9-inch screen in past models. It's expected to retain Touch ID and a Lightning port in the traditional locations, but it could feature a narrower frame like the iPad Air 3 from 2019.
That echoes another recent report from Mac Otakara that the 9th-generation iPad model would be inspired by the 2019 iPad Air but would otherwise feature few major design changes.
Thus is not the first time that a screen size change for the iPad mini has been rumored. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast back in 2020 that Apple would release an iPad mini model in the first half of 2021 with a display between 8.5 inches and 9 inches.
The current iPad mini 5 model was released in March 2019 with few changes from the past iteration beyond an A12 Bionic processor and Apple Pencil support. Although short on changes, the iPad mini 5 was Apple's first refresh of the device since 2015.
Credit: Andrew O'Hara, AppleInsider
Japanese site Mac Otakara reports that the "iPad mini 6" will debut in March 2021, citing sources within Apple's supply chain in China.
The new iPad mini will feature a larger 8.4-inch display rather than the 7.9-inch screen in past models. It's expected to retain Touch ID and a Lightning port in the traditional locations, but it could feature a narrower frame like the iPad Air 3 from 2019.
That echoes another recent report from Mac Otakara that the 9th-generation iPad model would be inspired by the 2019 iPad Air but would otherwise feature few major design changes.
Thus is not the first time that a screen size change for the iPad mini has been rumored. Well-connected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecast back in 2020 that Apple would release an iPad mini model in the first half of 2021 with a display between 8.5 inches and 9 inches.
The current iPad mini 5 model was released in March 2019 with few changes from the past iteration beyond an A12 Bionic processor and Apple Pencil support. Although short on changes, the iPad mini 5 was Apple's first refresh of the device since 2015.
Comments
It would be an epic bummer if it's truly "Air 3 inspired" (whatever that means), but I'm actually optimistic that it'll use the Air/Pro "squared-edge" design instead, due to the jump in screen size. They could have a bigger screen and the same form factor if it's squared-edge, TouchID on the rim. Even with thinner bezels, an Air 3 design would necessitate a bigger device. A "bigger Mini" makes no sense.
Also, for as long as they keep selling older round-edge iPads, they have to keep making the Pencil 1 with that stupid plug-in charger. And all the round-edge iPads look old. I just don't see it.
Now how about some MAGSAFE on iPads hm?
In my opinion the Pro iPads are devices that can serve as the primary personal computer for a lot, but not all, users without compromising performance or features, especially when equipped with a keyboard and pointing device. Even though the iPad Mini is a perfect fit for some applications I just don’t see it being very many people’s primary computer, aka, “PC replacement.” In fact, since the iPad Mini is such a niche product it’s actually hard to justify its price if you don’t need to fill the niches the Mini serves so well. The current base iPad is a much more versatile machine at a lower price point.