New iPad Mini 5 Could Support Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

[MacRumors]

Apple's upcoming refreshed iPad mini and next-generation iPad could feature support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, according to details shared today by developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

Troughton-Smith has been digging into the latest iOS beta for details on the new iPad models, and he says that all of this information should be taken with a grain of salt because he's not 100 percent sure on the details.

From what he's found, though, iPad models codenamed J210, J211, J217, and J218 come in two sizes, likely corresponding to rumored iPad mini 5 models and a refreshed sixth-generation iPad, which is said to be getting a larger 10-inch display, up from 9.7 inches.

Both iPad sizes appear to support a Smart Keyboard and Pencil, which makes sense as Apple proved its willingness to offer Apple Pencil support in its more affordable tablets with the launch of the sixth-generation iPad.

The new iPads appear to support Touch ID, so it sounds like the form factors will be similar to the existing models. Apple's iPad Pro models use Face ID, but with both the iPad and the new iPad mini likely to be positioned as more affordable devices, we're expecting Apple to stick with Touch ID.

Rumors have suggested both a new iPad mini 5 and an updated iPad will launch in early 2019, and we've seen signs of them in iOS 12.2 and through registration with the Eurasian Economic Commission. Apple has held a March event for the last several years, so it's possible we'll be seeing updated tablets right around then.

Article Link: New iPad Mini 5 Could Support Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

 

[Baymowe335]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

 

[usersince86]

This is very good news! Loving an updated iPad mini, especially those potential specs/features.

 

[DrJohnnyN]

Everyone knew this already.

 

[Berti10]

A bezel-less mini of e.g. 7“ and a $299 prize point could be the ultimate iPod/iPad crossover

 

[2GoldFish]

Cannot wait to see the new iPad Mini.

 

[Fynd]

The question is: will they cleanup the mess they have with 2 Apple Pencil's now? For some reason I don't see them adding the magnetic mounting to the 'cheap' iPads... but it's ****** having 2 different active Apple Pencils that don't work across devices.

 

[Azeroth1]

I don’t understand all these “could” leaks. They all just seem to regurgitate the same “coulds” based on existing features in other products (like this) or updates that have been talked about forever (USB-C).

 

[gotluck]

i would rather have laminated screen, please laminated screen!

 

[twocents]

Seems Apple regards the iPad mini the same as a 4" iPhone. There is sizable interest for both, yet are relegated to the products that they'll work on when they get around to it. Its a shame really

 

[kupkakez]

I love the iPad mini, it's great for reading books. I'd definitely think of picking one up!

 

[iTarbuck]

Interesting. I think a really portable, affordable iPad with pencil support in particular, would be a great replacement for a typical notepad. I have the 11" iPad Pro, and would argue that with the larger display, cost and bend-gate, it is quite daunting to lug this thing about.

I would be very interested to see if the new iPad mini can support the gen 1 pencil, as this is a more affordable and practical option for the mass market, or if it would support the new pencil?

I hope that the mini stays as strong as its predecessors has, because I can imagine it will not be taken as good care of as a $1000 iPad Pro.
[doublepost=1548792061][/doublepost]

I love the iPad mini, it's great for reading books. I'd definitely think of picking one up!

Would you pay circa £100 for the pencil? Or is it too gimmicky?

 

[dominiongamma]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

Well I want a iPad that isn’t large because I wouldn’t want to carry a large 12.9 around. The iPad mini is great with basic movie watching and browsing without the nessary weight.

 

[az431]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

It's not very large, but it's 100 times larger than the market for an iPhone SE.

 

[dannyyankou]

The keyboard would be way too small, especially if they reduce the bezel size

 

[kupkakez]

Would you pay circa £100 for the pencil? Or is it too gimmicky?

No pencil for me. I've purchased it for other iPads and I just never use it.

 

[az431]

The question is: will they cleanup the mess they have with 2 Apple Pencil's now? For some reason I don't see them adding the magnetic mounting to the 'cheap' iPads... but it's ****** having 2 different active Apple Pencils that don't work across devices.

It's an easy mess to clean up. Throw your old Apple Pencil away.

 

[Baymowe335]

It's not very large, but it's 100 times larger than the market for an iPhone SE.

Agree to that.
[doublepost=1548792217][/doublepost]

Well I want a iPad that isn’t large because I wouldn’t want to carry a large 12.9 around. The iPad mini is great with basic movie watching and browsing without the nessary weight.

They make iPads a lot smaller than the 12.9.

 

[brendu]

I’m not sure a Smart Keyboard makes sense for the mini. How little would the keys be? Does anyone actually want that?

 

[Ankaa]

All I want is an iPad Pro Mini. But just as with iPhones, it's too much too ask for. I'm sick of getting smaller form factors at the cost of features. Unfortunately in Apple's mind it's "bigger is always better". Guess what, it's not. Maybe they should put some women in charge...

 

[joeblow7777]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

What's to understand? A big phone still isn't the same as a tablet, and some people want a more portable tablet.

 

[G5isAlive]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

If I could only have one iPad, I might agree. But I have two, and an iPhone. A mini for more casual times, and a iPad Pro 11 when its time to get serious. And because they all share data seamlessly, I can put down one and pick up the other without blinking.

I love the mini for its convenience, portability, and down right just more rugged. It's simple physics, drop a smaller form factor and its less likely to have a problem (F= MxA). It's less likely to bend (less leverage) Or maybe its just psychology. I just know my mini is easier to hold, so consequently I am far more casual with it. Its a good size for reading, the iPhone is just too small for me for a protracted time. So yeah, I tend to plug my iPad Pro in at night and charge it, while I keep the mini next to the bed.

Choice is great. My mini 4 is getting a tad slow.

 

[pducharme]

Still don't understand the market for an iPad Mini, but sure. Sell it if people will buy it.

this is ideal format for a Child. I gave my 3yo daughter an ipad mini 3 year ago in a kid-safe case and it's the ideal size for her. Now she is 6yo and have a mini 4 and i still think it's the best for her. I sometime give her my 11in ipad pro when she forgets hers upstairs and she find it too big! Also, I feel like a child has less risk damaging a mini than a full size ipad

 

[Ankaa]

What's understand? A big phone still isn't the same as a tablet, and some people want a more portable tablet.

I've swapped to doing all my reading on a kindle. I used to use my iPad Mini (1st Gen) for ALL the reading I did, but it's gotten old and sluggish. My iPhone is way too small for prolonged reading.

We recently got a 10" iPad Pro and for me it's just too big. I don't like to use it because I can't hold it comfortably and if I have to put it down all the time, what's the point? May as well use my MBP, then.

 

[BruceEBonus]

If in doubt. Resize the iPhone. Again! Worked for the past five years!