Rumored iPad Mini 4 Rear Shell With iPad Air 2 Design Elements Shown Off in New Video

When Apple launched the iPad Air 2 and the iPad mini 3 in late 2014, many people were disappointed with the iPad mini update, which essentially just added Touch ID to the existing iPad mini 2 with no other external design changes. Since then, there have been a few rumors suggesting Apple is working on an iPad mini 4 update that includes iPad Air 2 design elements like a thinner body.

French site Nowhereelse.fr [Google Translate] today shared a video and some images of what's said to be an early version of the rear casing for the upcoming iPad mini 4.


The aluminum shell closely resembles the shell of the existing iPad mini, but it does include several design elements introduced with the iPad Air 2. There's a single row of larger speaker holes alongside the Lightning port at the bottom of the device, rather than two smaller rows, and the mute switch on the device has been removed and replaced with a microphone hole.

ipadmini4rearshell1
Rumors have suggested the iPad mini 4 will be thinner than the iPad mini 2 and the iPad mini 3, giving it a thickness more akin to the iPad Air 2, but it is difficult to determine the device's possible thickness based on the images that were shared. Along with an iPad Air-style design, an updated iPad mini 4 would likely adopt one of Apple's more recent processors, possibly the A8X in the iPad Air 2 or an A9 processor coming later this year.

ipadminirearshell2
There's been little word on when an updated iPad mini might launch, but given Apple's historical fall release schedule for iPads, it's unlikely we will see the iPad mini 4 until the later months of 2015.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Caution)
Related Forum: iPad

Top Rated Comments

yaxomoxay Avatar
111 months ago
What can't you do with the current iPad right now due to RAM restrictions? Give three examples.

Ex 1) Tell my friends "I've got two gigs of RAM!"
Ex 2) Divide RAM amount by 2 and get 1 as a result.
Ex 3) Complain about the fact that iPad should have 4GB of RAM.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sonicrobby Avatar
111 months ago
If Apple does not put in 2GB of RAM, then they shouldnt even bother with it.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DavidTheExpert Avatar
111 months ago
I wish they would come up with a more consistent naming convention for the iPads....

iPad Mini 4 alongisde the iPad Air 3 at the launch of iPhone 6S and a revamped iMac 5k?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coolfactor Avatar
111 months ago
I can't keep up with these product releases... they all become a blur.

----------

If Apple does not put in 2GB of RAM, then they shouldnt even bother with it.
And as soon as they do, you'll come out saying that 4GB is what they should've put in.

What can't you do with the current iPad right now due to RAM restrictions? Give three examples.

More RAM is akin to a bigger gas tank.... would you rather a car engine that was super-efficient, or one with a giant gas tank? Apple strives for super efficient.

(yah, I know RAM-to-gas tank comparison is not the best... but you get the point... bigger specs does not always mean better... because software just gets more bloated and requires higher specs, and on it goes... never being happy)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BCWorld Avatar
111 months ago
WOW! I didn't see this coming!! Classic Apple: release a BS Product one year, then the next year, re-release it with "new and improved" specs. :mad::rolleyes:
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ttss6 Avatar
111 months ago
That's more like it. Now just add a display with a much improved color gamut and A9/M9 chips and I'll be very interested!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Mock Header With Dynamic Island

Skipping the iPhone 15 Pro? Here's What's Rumored for iPhone 16 Pro

Friday September 22, 2023 9:29 am PDT by
Are you skipping the iPhone 15 Pro and waiting another year to upgrade? If so, we already have some iPhone 16 Pro rumors for you. Below, we recap new features rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models so far:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped with larger 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch displays, respectively, according to Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain...
Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17

Warning: Update Your iPhone 15 to iOS 17.0.2 Before Transferring Data From Another iPhone

Friday September 22, 2023 6:36 am PDT by
If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues. iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 With Bug Fixes, Plus iOS 17.0.2 for iPhone 15 Models

Thursday September 21, 2023 10:28 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 double tap gesture 230912

watchOS 10.1 to Enable Apple Watch's New 'Double Tap' Gesture

Thursday September 21, 2023 12:52 pm PDT by
The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD. The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month. Brownlee shared his impressions...