Everything we know so far about the 2021 model

by Jeremy

Apple is rumored to hold an event later this month, and if rumors are to be believed, it will be all about iPads, and likely the AirTags. So far, Apple has not officially confirmed any upcoming event this month, but multiple sources with a reasonably solid track record insist that it is indeed happening. Now, we expect a new iPad Pro to debut alongside an updated iPad Mini. An iPad Mini seemed out of the picture a few weeks ago, but a refresh is now heavily rumored to debut this month. Here’s everything we know about the sixth-gen iPad Mini: A larger 8.5-inch display, apparently with thinner bezels this time.

Everything we know so far about the 2021 model

In June last year, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that an iPad Mini would be in the pipeline and would be launched in the first half of 2021. Specifically, he mentioned that the new iPad Mini would come equipped with a larger 8.5-inch display than the 7.9-inch panel on its predecessor. However, if you’re hoping for a high-refresh collection similar to the iPad Pro, it would simply amount to daydreaming, considering the device’s price bracket and target audience.

We don’t know if the device’s size will increase, but if Apple manages to keep the chassis size unchanged, we might see thinner bezels and a modern design. Finally! Apple has already updated iPad Air’s design, too, so we can hope for some aesthetic refinements on the iPad Mini. A hole-punch time and Touch ID button floating in a sea of pixels?

As per an alleged CAD-based render of iPad Mini (Gen 6), the bezels will be significantly thinner, while the Touch ID button at the bottom will be surrounded by screen real estate. Additionally, the front camera will be housed inside a circular hole punch at the top. This would be a radical design change for many reasons and, therefore, a tad unlikely too.

Then in November, we discovered another leak supporting the 8.5-inch display theory for the upcoming iPad Mini. It even added that the device would feature a Liquid Retina display with a boxy design. More importantly, it will come equipped with a USB Type-C port instead of the Lightning connector. Camera hardware is reportedly identical to the iPad Air 4, with Apple Pencil support.

The A14 Bionic will handle things inside, the same chip Apple has fitted inside the iPhone 12 family. However, some rumors claim that the sixth-gen iPad Mini will draw power from the A13 chip – with the decision to use an older chip as a cost-cutting measure to keep the price low. However, we certainly hope the cameras get an upgrade, especially the poor 1.2MP selfie camera on the 2019 model.

Another report from Macotakara claims that the iPad Mini’s screen size is going from 7.9-inch to 8.4-inch this year but without an increase in its dimensions. However, Apple sticks with Touch ID embedded in the home button instead of a side-mounted design like the latest iPad Air. WWe can confidently saythat Face ID is out of the picture here.

The sixth-gen iPad Mini will not bring any innovation or groundbreaking features, as that part is usually reserved for the iPad Pro line. Apple is heavily rumored to employ mini-LED panels for its upcoming products, with some reports claiming that an OLED iPad might arrive next year. But for the forthcoming iPad Mini, Apple will most likely stick with an LCD panel to keep the cost in check.

No information has surfaced online regarding the iPad Mini 6’s asking price. We’ll know more in the upcoming weeks! But given the target audience, Apple will likely price it below the $500 mark to keep the charm of a ‘smaller and more accessible’ iPad intact.

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