New iPad Mini 5 Could Support Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard

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.

ipadmini5applepencil
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.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad mini
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Apple to Hide Selfie Camera Under Display of 20th Anniversary iPhone

Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
iphone pocket%402x

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
iphone air thinness

iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information. Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
Early Black Friday Deals 1

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and More

Saturday November 8, 2025 6:16 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Coming Soon With These Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 7:30 am PST by
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting. The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
Apple fitness plus feature

Future of Apple Fitness+ 'Under Review'

Sunday November 9, 2025 5:30 am PST by
The future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review" amid a reorganization of the service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple Fitness+ remains one of the company's "weakest digital offerings." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue. Nevertheless, Fitness+ has a small, loyal fanbase that...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Early Black Friday iPhone Deals

Monday November 10, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday November 6, 2025 11:12 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump. ...

Top Rated Comments

Berti10 Avatar
89 months ago
A bezel-less mini of e.g. 7“ and a $299 prize point could be the ultimate iPod/iPad crossover
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fynd Avatar
89 months ago
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.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
usersince86 Avatar
89 months ago
This is very good news! Loving an updated iPad mini, especially those potential specs/features.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kupkakez Avatar
89 months ago
I love the iPad mini, it's great for reading books. I'd definitely think of picking one up!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
89 months ago
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.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ankaa Avatar
89 months ago
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...
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)