We saw leaks before suggesting that a fifth-generation iPad mini might look virutally indistigusihable from the current model and now a pair of reports published Tuesday have indicated that the upcoming device will be just a specifications bump.
Aside from that long-expected fifth-generation iPad mini, Apple's tablet plans for the 2019 calendar year apparently include two new iPad Pro models with upgraded processors along with a refreshed $329 iPad with a slightly bigger display.
Second-generation AirPods wireless earphones along with AirPower, Apple's long-expected multi-device Qi wireless charging mat, a fifth-generation iPad mini and an inexpensive 9.7-inch iPad are all thought to be announced in March ahead of launch on Friday, March 29, 2019.
According to a new supply chain rumored published on Monday, Apple's fifth-generation iPad mini is expected to look the same as the iPad mini 4 design.
Taiwanese contract manufacturer Compal Electronics is expected to build Apple's fifth-generation iPad mini tablet that should arrive "later in 2019".
Apple will reportedly give its mainstream sixth-generation iPad, which costs just $329, a bit bigger screen going from 9.7 inches to ten inches. And to cover as wide a price range as possible, the Cupertino firm will release a cheaper iPad mini model, sources claim.
A recent report out of Japan alleged that a seventh-generation iPod touch is in the works, and now it's been hinted that the device may have no Touch ID nor Face ID. Additionally, evidence has surfaced that new iPad models are being worked on, too, also without Face ID.
iOS developer Steve Troughton-Smith has unearthed references to four new iPads from the iOS 12.2 beta, which released for developer testing last week.
"In theory, iOS 12.2 references four new iPads in Wi-Fi and cellular variants, all without Face ID, and an iPod touch with no Touch ID nor Face ID," he wrote on Twitter.
It's interesting that the current sixth-generation iPod touch uses the identifier "iPod6,1" but the upcoming model carries the identification string "iPod7,1".
"I've always figured it means they worked on a generation and decided not to ship it, so they skipped," Steve speculated (I think it signifies a next-generation design).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZefYz-0l8ik
These new iPad and iPod touch models had been registered with the Eurasian Economic Commission. As first spotted but MySmartPrice, the Eurasian filing lists tablet computers running iOS 12 with the following model numbers:
A2123 A2124 A2126 A2153 A2154 A2133 A2152This database has reveled unreleased Apple devices in the past.
iDownloadBlog's own Harris Craycraft has taken it upon himself to revisit the sixth-generation iPod touch to see if this under-appreciated App Store machine is still worth it in 2019.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjMby_ZBNVI Subscribe to iDownloadBlog on YouTubeAs for the newly referenced iPads without Face ID, these could be fifth-generation iPad mini models and a refresh of the $329 9.7-inch iPad, in Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + Cellular editions.
We saw leaks of some iPad mini 5 parts in the past few months so we fully expect these new mini tablets to arrive in time for the spring. The low-cost iPad, according to one report, could have a bit larger screen at ten inches diagonally.
A claimed iPad mini chassis in Rose GoldOther new features discovered in the iOS 12.2 beta include Apple News expansion to Canada, HomeKit TV support and a new magazine-subscription service (Apple may even be working on a Netflix-like subscription service for games).
Smaller changes in the iOS 12.2 beta that we managed to spot include a new Add Money button for Apple Pay Cash in the Wallet app, redesigned AirPlay icons, an overhauled Apple TV Remote widget in Control Center which now takes up the entire screen and more.
Could this be a fifth-generation iPad mini?How cool would a next-generation iPod touch be, do you think?
Would you rather be interested in the next iPad mini?
Chime in with your thoughts in the comments down below.
A pair of photos published Tuesday appear to depict an unreleased iPad mini model in Rose Gold that seems to have a redesigned cellular antenna and no camera flash on the back.
A third-party semi-transparent case that appears to have been designed for Apple's unreleased fifth-generation iPad mini was posted earlier today by leak aggregator SlashLeaks, showing a pill-shaped vertical cutout on the rear side instead of the regular circular cutout.
Apple could release a fifth-generation iPad mini alongside a refreshed $329 entry-level iPad with a bigger ten-inch display at some point during the first half of 2019, rumor has it.
Now, things are getting interesting. For months, the rumor mill has suggested Apple’s prepping two new iPad Pro models for this year. Today, Oct. 23, respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the first new iPad mini in three years could also be announced soon.
Bloomberg recently spent a great deal of time in a post rehashing what many of us already know about Apple's upcoming iPhone lineup. It also included a tiny paragraph that could best be read as the iPad mini's obituary.