The Great iPad Mini Debate: A Look at Rumors and Reality

In March 2018, Apple released the 9.7-inch iPad, packed with a powerful A10 processor and Apple Pencil support for just $329. This was a game-changer for those in need of an affordable and feature-rich tablet. However, it's interesting to note that Apple still sells the iPad Mini 4 from 2015, which is less powerful, has no Apple pencil support, and costs $70 more than the 2018 iPad. This seems like a questionable decision, especially considering the iPad Mini 4's outdated hardware.

We previously made an iPad lineup comparison video, urging people not to buy the iPad Mini 4 due to its poor value proposition compared to the 2018 iPad. Fortunately, we've got a plethora of rumors pointing to an iPad Mini 5 and a 2019 iPad release in the first half of 2018. Let's dive into some of these rumors.

Back in October, well-known analyst Ming-Sha Qo predicted that a new iPad Mini would be released with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel. However, he didn't provide any specific timeline for the release. In December, China Business Times sources claimed that Apple would launch two low-priced iPad models in 2018, with the 2019 iPad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad Pro. If this is indeed the case, it's likely that the 2019 iPad will support the new Apple Pencil and its wireless charging method.

Images of an iPad Mini 5 case surfaced on SlashLeaks in early December, but were quickly shut down by OnLeaks, claiming the case was made based on a 2016 prototype. Earlier this month, pictures of a possible iPad Mini 4 showed up on Twitter, packing an antenna line for 4G connections and still sporting a headphone jack, lightning port, and home button. If these photos are legitimate, it may indicate that there won't be significant changes coming to the iPad Mini 5.

On January 17th, DidjaTime sources claimed that two suppliers had already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new 2019 iPads arriving in the first half of 2019. Way back in 2017, an alleged Apple source told BGR that the iPad Mini has been sized out of its own category. What's most interesting, however, is that the iPad Mini 4 is still available on Apple's website, suggesting that Apple hasn't given up on the mini just yet.

Despite these recent rumors, it's hard to say with certainty when or if we'll see an iPad Mini 5 this year. With so many variables at play, it's always difficult to predict what will happen next in the world of technology. On a related note, we were already expecting an update to Apple's budget iPad in March, which is typically when such releases occur.

One thing that seems likely, however, is that the 2019 iPad will retain the same price point as its predecessor, with the possibility of minor design changes or updates. A switch to USB-C in support of the new Apple Pencil could happen without a significant price increase, making it an attractive option for those in need of a high-quality tablet.

As always, we'll be here covering all the latest developments and rumors surrounding the iPad Mini and other Apple devices. Make sure to subscribe to our channel for updates and behind-the-scenes content, as well as check out our price guide which makes it easy to find the best deals on Apple products updated daily. Be sure to follow us on social media as well, and we'll see you in the next video!

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enback in March Apple released the 2018 nine point seven inch iPad packed with a powerful 810 processor and Apple pencil support for only $329 the weird thing is that Apple continues to sell the iPad Mini 4 from 2015 which is less powerful has no Apple pencil support and is $70 more expensive after the 2018 iPad pro was released we made an iPad lineup comparison video telling people not to buy the iPad Mini 4 because it's simply a bad deal compared to the 2018 iPad thankfully we've got a bunch of rumors pointing to an iPad Mini 5 and a 2019 iPad being released in the first half of 2018 let's look into some of those rumors starting way back in October well known analysts mingsha quo predicted 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 China Business Times sources claimed that Apple will be launching two low-priced ipad models in 2018 with the 2019 ipad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad pro I'd have to see it to believe it but if that's the case it'll likely support the new Apple pencil in its new wireless charging method but we won't know for sure until it happens over the holidays images of an iPad Mini 5 case surfaced on slash leaks calm but they were quickly shut down by on leaks claiming the case was made based upon a 2016 prototype earlier this month pictures of a possible iPad Mini 4 showed up on Twitter packing an antenna line for 4G connections other than that it still seemed 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 these photos are legit now On January 17th didja time sources claimed two suppliers have already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new 2019 iPads coming in the first half of 2019 way back in 2017 an alleged Apple source told BGR that the iPad Mini has been sized out of its own category but what's most interesting is that the iPad Mini 4 is still for sale on Apple's website which points to Apple not giving up on the mini just yet and with all these recent rumors I'd say there's still a good we'll see an iPad Mini 5 sometime this year but of course there's no way to know for sure as for the iPad a lot of us were already expecting an update in March which is usually when Apple releases their budget iPad as far as whether it'll see a major redesign or maintain the same old design it's hard to say since any major redesign would warrant a price increase and Apple wants to keep the price low for the educational market a switch to USBC in support for the new Apple pencil seems like it could actually happen without bringing the price up much at all no matter what happens we'll be here covering it so make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out when we finally get our hands on any new iPads if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next videoback in March Apple released the 2018 nine point seven inch iPad packed with a powerful 810 processor and Apple pencil support for only $329 the weird thing is that Apple continues to sell the iPad Mini 4 from 2015 which is less powerful has no Apple pencil support and is $70 more expensive after the 2018 iPad pro was released we made an iPad lineup comparison video telling people not to buy the iPad Mini 4 because it's simply a bad deal compared to the 2018 iPad thankfully we've got a bunch of rumors pointing to an iPad Mini 5 and a 2019 iPad being released in the first half of 2018 let's look into some of those rumors starting way back in October well known analysts mingsha quo predicted 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 China Business Times sources claimed that Apple will be launching two low-priced ipad models in 2018 with the 2019 ipad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad pro I'd have to see it to believe it but if that's the case it'll likely support the new Apple pencil in its new wireless charging method but we won't know for sure until it happens over the holidays images of an iPad Mini 5 case surfaced on slash leaks calm but they were quickly shut down by on leaks claiming the case was made based upon a 2016 prototype earlier this month pictures of a possible iPad Mini 4 showed up on Twitter packing an antenna line for 4G connections other than that it still seemed 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 these photos are legit now On January 17th didja time sources claimed two suppliers have already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new 2019 iPads coming in the first half of 2019 way back in 2017 an alleged Apple source told BGR that the iPad Mini has been sized out of its own category but what's most interesting is that the iPad Mini 4 is still for sale on Apple's website which points to Apple not giving up on the mini just yet and with all these recent rumors I'd say there's still a good we'll see an iPad Mini 5 sometime this year but of course there's no way to know for sure as for the iPad a lot of us were already expecting an update in March which is usually when Apple releases their budget iPad as far as whether it'll see a major redesign or maintain the same old design it's hard to say since any major redesign would warrant a price increase and Apple wants to keep the price low for the educational market a switch to USBC in support for the new Apple pencil seems like it could actually happen without bringing the price up much at all no matter what happens we'll be here covering it so make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out when we finally get our hands on any new iPads if you enjoy this video like it and hit that subscribe button also check out a price guide which makes it extremely easy to find the best deals and Apple products updated daily be sure to follow us on social media and we'll see you in the next video\n"