iPad Mini 5 Latest News, Release Date and Features: When Will Apple Device be Released?
Many Apple fans thought the iPad Mini 5 will be launched this month, alongside the iPhone 7. After all, the iPad Mini 4 was launched September of last year. That didn't happen though, and rumors continue to talk about when the actual release date of the highly –anticipated device is.
Release Date
Latest rumors say that the iPad Mini 5 will be launched on the first quarter of 2017 instead; specifically on March. While Apple has a new event next month, the said launch date is said to focus only on Macintosh products; perhaps even to introduce the MacBook Pro 2016.
There is a possibility that there may not be an iPad Mini 5 at all, since so far, no word about the device has been heard from the Cupertino-based company so far.
Specs
The following are the rumored specs for the iPad Mini 5. The latest installment of the iPad Mini is said to have a screen size similar to the iPad Mini 4 at 7.9 inches. However, it will be thinner and lighter. Specifically, the iPad Mini 5 will be 5 mm thick.
The iPad Mini 5 will no longer have the 3.5 mm headphone jack, just like the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. As such, Apple might introduce Bluetooth-powered AirPods for this device. It will also have a 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal base storage, which is expandable by up to 256 GB.
It must be mentioned, however, that not all tech reviewers think that wireless audio listening is better than the time-tested and proven headphone jack. In fact, according to the Guardian, the absence of a jack causes some problems including, "if you need to charge the phone and listen to audio at the same time." Moreover, the iPad Mini 5 will have 12-core seventh generation PowerVR graphics, courtesy of the enhanced A9 processor.
Features
The iPad Mini 5 is rumored to have some cool features. These include pressure-sensitive 3D touch technology, an upgrade to Force Touch. According to iGeeks Blog, while Force Touch allows a device to distinguish between various pressure levels of touch, 3D Touch is basically a more sensitive, faster version.
One way to use 3D touch is through this example: by pressing a message lightly, you can peek at it, but by pressing it hard, you can see the full message.
The iPad Mini 5 will also have a waterproof and dust proof design. For now, Samsung products are much better at protecting phones against these elements, but this new development is promising for Apple.
The iPad Mini 5 is said to have the 7000-series aluminum chassis which can be found in the iPhone 6S. That reduces the weight and thickness and improves the durability of the device.
When it comes to the operating system of the iPad Mini 5, it is rumored to come with the iOS 10. One can have the Apple iOS 10 on the iPad Mini 4, but only through an upgrade.