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Supposed iPad Mini 5 Case Supports Rumors of Few Design Changes

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Rumors suggest that a new iPad mini is on the horizon, and a supposed case for the tablet shared by Indian blog 91Mobiles today points towards few outward design changes beyond a center-positioned rear microphone. The blog attributes the photos to Slashleaks contributor Sudhanshu Ambhore.

91mobiles-ipad-mini-5-case.jpg

Beyond the centered microphone, the case is consistent with the iPad mini 4 design, including two speakers and a Lightning connector along the bottom, a headphone jack and power button along the top, volume buttons along the right side, and what appears to be a circular, single-lens rear camera.

The case, if accurate, corroborates information shared by OnLeaks and Japanese blog Mac Otakara, both of which heard that the so-called iPad mini 5 will look virtually identical to the iPad mini 4. In other words, this could amount to a mere spec bump, including an upgraded processor per analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

However, it's worth noting that there have been a few conflicting iPad mini rumors, including photos of a model with a redesigned antenna band and an earlier case with cutouts for four speakers and a pill-shaped opening appropriate for a rear camera with a LED flash positioned below it like the 9.7-inch iPad.

Apple is set to host a media event on March 25 at Steve Jobs Theater, but BuzzFeed News reported that a new iPad mini and next-generation AirPods are "unlikely to make an appearance" during the keynote. Instead, Apple is widely expected to introduce subscription-based video and news services.

If the new iPad mini is not unveiled during the event, it could be announced via press release, which would be fitting if it is merely a spec bump. Rumors also point towards minor refreshes to the 9.7-inch iPad and iPod touch.

The iPad mini 4 was released in September 2015 and remains available for purchase starting at $399 in the United States.

Article Link: Supposed iPad Mini 5 Case Supports Rumors of Few Design Changes
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2019/03/13/supposed-ipad-mini-5-case/
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Reactions: Ravi_MR
Lightning port? They really need to standardize the charging/accessory ports across all of their iPad lineup at the very least, going forward. If the new iPad Pros have USB-C, give all the new ipads USB-C. Let's see what they actually reveal.
 
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GrumpyMom said:
Lightning port? They really need to standardize the charging/accessory ports across all of their iPad lineup at the very least, going forward. If the new iPad Pros have USB-C, give all the new ipads USB-C. Let's see what they actually reveal.
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yea, but do you really expect them to make such a change on an old device that's getting very minor updates?
 
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sundog925 said:
so sick of seeing Kuo's name in every article.
didn't this guy make a big deal of stopping analytical work on apple? who cares what he has to say.
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Being you’re on a rumored website, don’t you think it’s practical that they would report what an insider analyst like Kuo predicts? He has a very lengthy and accurate track record with Apple. It only makes complete sense that they report what he has to say.
 
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alexandr said:
yea, but do you really expect them to make such a change on an old device that's getting very minor updates?
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Well, I suppose not. But for those of us who want to get all of our Apple products on the same page, so to speak, this inconsistency is annoying. It feels sloppy and fragmented.
 
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I love having the headphone jack, but I am a bit surprised to see them keeping it since they are wiping it out everywhere else. Is the Apple Feedback page working for once?
 
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GrumpyMom said:
Well, I suppose not. But for those of us who want to get all of our Apple products on the same page, so to speak, this inconsistency is annoying. It feels sloppy and fragmented.
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it absolutely is, from first 12" macbook. they dropped the usb-c without properly preparing anything or anyone. and the inconsistency is here 'till this day, you're right.
 
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GrumpyMom said:
Well, I suppose not. But for those of us who want to get all of our Apple products on the same page, so to speak, this inconsistency is annoying. It feels sloppy and fragmented.
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They only care about customer experience on products costing over 1k. This is just throwing together a bunch of old parts lying around to make a quick buck as expected of Tim Cook’s Apple.
 
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magicschoolbus said:
I really wish they gave this a iPad Pro look in a Mini.. would sell like hotcakes.

Apple here's an idea.

Kill the iPad 9.7

Make the Mini w/ iPad pro design - call it iPad.

Keep the pros.
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As much as I'd love a Pro-Mini, I really don't see them doing it. Apple, unfortunately, doesn't believe there's a demand, because their sales numbers don't reflect people buying enough minis. Their numbers are low because people don't want old, outdated hardware and would probably buy shiny new minis if it was really new, but Apple doesn't realize that, and as a result, they're self-dooming the Mini.
 
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logicstudiouser said:
I love having the headphone jack, but I am a bit surprised to see them keeping it since they are wiping it out everywhere else. Is the Apple Feedback page working for once?
Click to expand...

I like the optimistic thought that they’ve relented on the headphone jack and will be putting it in all suitable products again, but I fear it’s more likely they are reusing parts and just haven’t got round to removing it from these yet.

I do struggle to express how utterly stupid I think it is that there is any more funtionality in a device presumably set to cost under $400(?) than one that starts at $799 (iPad Pro).

Perhaps the logic they use is that people spending more on an iPad Pro can afford decent bluetooth headphones or an audio interface or adapter of some kind. Which to me completely misses the point that these are supposedly mobile devices, and sometimes it’s good to be able to just plug wired headphones in. And sometimes it’s actually necessary to be able to use wired headphones for the actual functionality of software (garageband touch instruments for example). ‘Pro my ***!’ As Phil should say.
 
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GrumpyMom said:
Well, I suppose not. But for those of us who want to get all of our Apple products on the same page, so to speak, this inconsistency is annoying. It feels sloppy and fragmented.
Click to expand...

It’s not fragmented. It’s usb c for pro products, lightning for mobile. Before that it was magsafe and 30 pin. That wasn’t fragmented either

I do wish they would fully embrace usb c though anyway. It’s the future for sure, so why delay it?
 
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The Mini design is already excellent IMO with a wonderful display. A spec bump works fine for me. I have a Mini 4 with a worn out battery. It will be the perfect time for me to trade up. I love that it is keeping lightning and headphone jack. I do hope that the laminated display stays, though.
 
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Reactions: Mr Todhunter, MikeSmoke and igotarock
I'd like to see Pro features in the Mini, too. Including no headphone jack. Haven't used one of those since before Apple removed them from the iPhone. Either they believe what they say about the jacks, or they don't. Apparently, they don't.
 
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