iPad Mini 4 Rumored to Be Smaller Version of iPad Air 2, A9-Based iPad Air 3 Still Possible for 2015

ipadair2ipadmini3Apple's fourth-generation iPad mini could be a miniaturized version of the iPad Air 2, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The report claims that the iPad mini 4 will adopt some of the same features and specifications as the iPad Air 2, including an 8-megapixel rear-facing iSight camera, ultra-thin 6.1mm design and possibly a fully laminated display with anti-reflective coating.

Mac Otakara claims that Apple may release the new iPad mini alongside an A9-based iPad Air 3, contrary to a sketchy report last week from Taiwan's Economic Daily News that said no new iPad Air will be released in 2015 and that the iPad mini 4 could be Apple's last 7.9-inch tablet as the company focuses on its larger-sized iPad Air and much-rumored "iPad Pro" in the future.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a respectable track record at reporting on Apple's upcoming product plans, recently issued a note to investors that also claimed the iPad mini 4 will essentially be a smaller version of the iPad Air 2. Kuo did not make any predictions about the iPad Air 3 or the "iPad Pro" in his note, but he has mentioned the latter 12.9-inch tablet in previous notes to investors.

Apple releasing a trio of new iPads later this year -- the iPad Air 3, iPad mini 4 and "iPad Pro" -- could help the company rebound from five consecutive quarters of declining iPad sales. Moreover, while Mac Otakara has a respectable track record reporting about Apple, there is not enough substantive evidence at this time to firmly suggest that all three tablets will actually be unveiled this autumn.

Related Roundups: iPad Pro, iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

BreuerEditor Avatar
121 months ago
Apple's fourth-generation iPad mini could be a miniaturized version of the iPad Air 2
Hasn't the iPad Mini ALWAYS been a miniature sized iPad??? o_O
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fondaparinux Avatar
121 months ago
>iPad Mini 4 Rumored to Be Smaller Version of iPad Air 2

Yeah... I think I got that from the 'mini'.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
121 months ago
Hasn't the iPad Mini ALWAYS been a miniature sized iPad??? o_O
Yes but the crux of the matter is which generation it's a miniature of. last time round everyone was expecting the Mini 3 to be a "Mini Air 2" since the Mini 2 was a "Mini Air 1".

That's why it was such a shock when they kept the specs the same as the Mini 2 and only added TouchID.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Technarchy Avatar
121 months ago
I'd be okay with all the specs of the iPad Air 2 crammed down into the Mini...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
manu chao Avatar
121 months ago
MacRumors, you always manage to blow me away with new insights such as the idea that the word 'mini' might be significant in determining it's size!
You always manage to blow me away by intentionally misunderstanding things for the purpose of making fun of somebody.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KdParker Avatar
121 months ago
Love to see more on this iPad Pro. (if it happens).
I could see this as a replacement for buying another laptop if the specs are good.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)