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

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
top stories 2025 12 27

Top Stories: iPhone Fold Mockup, Where's the New Apple TV?, and More

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:00 am PST by
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from MacRumors! News in the Apple world has unsurprisingly been relatively slow over the past week, but Apple's upcoming foldable iPhone managed to make its way back into the news, while we also shared updates on current and future Apple TV news. iOS 26.3 will be bringing some new features, particularly for users in the EU, so we'll look for additional...
Apple Wallet ID Illinois

Apple Plans to Expand iPhone Driver's Licenses to These 7 U.S. States

Wednesday December 24, 2025 8:40 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future. To set up the...
maxresdefault

10 Mac Apps Worth Trying in 2026

Wednesday December 24, 2025 9:27 am PST by
2026 is almost upon us, and a new year is a good time to try out some new apps. We've rounded up 10 excellent Mac apps that are worth checking out. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Alt-Tab (Free) - Alt-Tab brings a Windows-style alt + tab thumbnail preview option to the Mac. You can see a full window preview of open apps and app windows. One Thing (Free) -...
tesla red orange bg feature

Tesla Could Be Planning to Support Apple Car Keys

Sunday December 28, 2025 4:24 am PST by
Support for Apple Car Keys may now be more likely to come to Tesla vehicles, amid new evidence that the automaker is embracing native, system-level digital car keys. According to Not a Tesla App, 4.52.0 of Tesla's mobile app contains multiple code references to Harmony Wallet Key Cards. The discovery is notable because it represents a shift in how Tesla appears to be approaching mobile...

Top Rated Comments

Berti10 Avatar
90 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
90 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
90 months ago
This is very good news! Loving an updated iPad mini, especially those potential specs/features.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kupkakez Avatar
90 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
90 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
90 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)