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Images of an aluminum cutout allegedly based on the upcoming sixth-generation iPad mini have surfaced online. The cutout is largely in line with rumors of what we can expect in the iPad mini 6, including a larger display in lieu of a Home button, a thinner body, and flat edges.

ipad-mini-6-cutout.jpg

The images originated from the website techordo.com in cooperation with a leaker named xleaks7, whose track record for accurate leaks isn't very well established. The cutout showcases a design much in line with renders of the upcoming iPad mini shared by Apple leaker Jon Prosser earlier in June.

One interesting new change the images depict is the relocation of the volume buttons. The volume buttons on iPads have always been on the right side, however, the images show the buttons relocated to the top, on the opposite side of the power button.

The new iPad mini will take inspiration from the updated iPad Air and iPad Pro by ditching the Home Button in favor of an all-screen design. Apple is unlikely to provide users with Face ID embedded into the bezel and is expected instead to integrate Touch ID into the power button, similar to the iPad Air. It's also expected to feature a faster processor and possibly USB-C.

Reliable Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman has reported that the new iPad mini is on track to be released this fall, alongside new iPhones, Apple Watches, AirPods, and MacBook Pros.

Article Link: Aluminum Cutout Allegedly Based on iPad Mini 6 Showcases Thinner Bezels, Larger Camera, Touch ID in Power Button
 
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I can't understand why Apple won't make USB-C standard across all their devices. Why is the company still clinging to Lightning for the iPhone?
I wouldn't mind this change myself, but I would be very surprised if they went USB-C on the iPad mini given that they still have it on iPhone.
 
While I want Apple to adopt USB-C, them putting it on the iPad mini and not the new iPhones would just be about Tim optimising his supply line no matter how inconvenient for users.
 
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As you can see on this image, the volume up and down buttons would be now on top of the iPad. While I don’t see the convenience of this location for a normal, portrait orientation, it could be much more confortable on a landscape orientation.

I’d like this to be the new position going forward for the volume buttons on those iPads that are usually used with a keyboard on a landscape orientation. Changing the volume would be much easier with the device in landscape, as the buttons fall on the bottom left corner, near the physical keyboard.

Now, if this future iPad mini won’t have a smart connector for a physical keyboard, this new location for the volume buttons makes little sense.
 
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So, do we expect this in September or October?


I’m thinking:
September: iPhone + Watch + AirPods 3
October: MBP 14” and 16” + iPad 9 + iPad mini

However.. iPad 9 is very much education focused, so September would make more sense. If I’m not mistaken, it was updated in September in the past?
 
Now that it’s clear to me that Apple does not want to make the iPad OS a general purpose productivity OS and the iMac is turned into a desktop toy, I’m inclined to downgrade to non Pro iPad , maybe the Mini, and leave the iMac to go back to a laptop.

I was really looking towards a professional desktop device with the iMac paired with a professional tablet for mobility. Apple seams to have chosen otherwise. Kept the iPad OS as toy and downgraded the iMacs to one.

I have no need for a professional laptop paired with a “professional” tablet much less a “professional” tablet paired with a desktop toy.
 
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So, do we expect this in September or October?


I’m thinking:
September: iPhone + Watch + AirPods 3
October: MBP 14” and 16” + iPad 9 + iPad mini

However.. iPad 9 is very much education focused, so September would make more sense. If I’m not mistaken, it was updated in September in the past?

I am having the exact same prognosis. Especially as the iPads aren‘t listed on EEC yet.

I‘d further expect an A15 chip and what I really find a GENIUS move from Apple is the relocation of the buttons. Now they can support the Gen 2 Applepencil because otherwise the buttons on the side would have been covered. (Additionally they don’t have pressure to release a new Applepencil Mini.
Because revamping an iPad Mini and then having no Applepencil for the device would be horrible. So they had the following options:
1. Keep the Lightning port (what they never will. They will 100% go for USB-C) and make the Gen 1 pencil compatible - awful move. Old pencil being the only option for a revamped premium device - NAH never gonna happen.
option 2 would have been release a new Applepencil Mini just for the iPad Mini. And option 3 (which they problably chose) is relocate the buttons in order to have both sides free - one for a smartcover and the other one for the smart connector/Applepencil - AWESOME)
This leak gives me high hope they will soon release the Mini plus I think this is the final design.
 
View attachment 1820615

As you can see on this image, the volume up and down volumes would be now on top of the iPad. While I don’t see the convenience of this location for a normal, portrait orientation, it could be much more confortable on a landscape orientation.

I’d like this to be the new position going forward for the volume buttons on those iPads that are usually used with a keyboard on a landscape orientation. Changing the volume would be much easier with the device in landscape, as the buttons fall on the bottom left corner, near the physical keyboard.

Now, if this future iPad mini won’t have a smart connector for a physical keyboard, this new location for the volume buttons makes little sense.
If we’re looking at landscape, its more than about time Apple implemented a front camera along the side bezels to enable FaceTime/Zoom/Teams in landscape mode. Either as secondary camera or relocating the portrait/top edge one. I mean it’s only a feature that 99 buck Android tablets have had for a while now.

They talk about the iPad becoming your primary computer/MacBook replacement, and push the landscape keyboard case hard, without realising the need for a front camera to maximise that.
 
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