New iPads Expected in First Half of 2019, Including iPad Mini 5 With Similar Design as iPad Mini 4 - MacRumors
Skip to Content

New iPads Expected in First Half of 2019, Including iPad Mini 5 With Similar Design as iPad Mini 4

Apple is set to launch new iPad models in the first half of 2019, according to Taiwanese supply chain website DigiTimes.

ipad mini 4 2017 roundup header
One of those new models is expected to be the so-called iPad mini 5, but anyone hoping for a major redesign should lower their expectations, as Japanese blog Mac Otakara reports that the tablet will have a similar design as the ‌iPad mini‌ 4. The information comes from the blog's discussions with accessory makers.

Mac Otakara claims the ‌iPad mini‌ 5 will have identical dimensions as the ‌iPad mini‌ 4, including a thickness of 6.1mm, suggesting that the tablet will have the same 7.9-inch display if bezel size remains unchanged. The blog also expects the tablet to retain a Lightning connector, Touch ID, and 3.5mm headphone jack.

One design change expected is the repositioning of the rear microphone to a top-center position in line with the sixth-generation ‌iPad‌.

The report claims it is unclear whether the ‌iPad mini‌ 5 will have an A10 Fusion chip akin to the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and sixth-generation ‌iPad‌, or an A10X Fusion chip in line with 2017 iPad Pro models and the Apple TV 4K.

It's also unclear if the ‌iPad mini‌ 5 will support the original Apple Pencil, but second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ support seems to be ruled out.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

airpods 4 new new orange

Beyond iPhone 18 Pro: AirPods 5 in September, iPad Mini With OLED Display in October

Sunday August 30, 2026 7:25 am PDT by
In his newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reiterated that AirPods 5 will be released as early as this September, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, a foldable iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 12, and the Apple Watch Ultra 4. Apple is holding an event on Wednesday, September 9 at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. He also reiterated that he expects an iPad mini with an OLED display and...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

New iPad Mini With Four Upgrades Expected to Launch by Late October

Monday August 24, 2026 8:33 pm PDT by
Apple is planning to release a new iPad mini model with an OLED display "by the end of October" this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple already updated the iPad Pro with an OLED display in May 2024, but the iPad mini, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad are all still equipped with LCD screens. The move to OLED technology would result in the next iPad mini offering improved image...
Oled iPads and MackBook Pro Notch

5 Apple Products to Get OLED Displays

Thursday August 20, 2026 6:50 am PDT by
Apple plans to upgrade several iPads and Macs with OLED displays over the next three years, according to a new DigiTimes report. The following five devices will receive OLED displays between 2026 and 2029, according to the Taiwanese publication's industry sources:iPad mini: 2026 MacBook Pro: Late 2026 or early 2027 iPad Air: 2027 iMac: 2028 or 2029 MacBook Air: 2028 or 2029OLED...

Top Rated Comments

sracer Avatar
99 months ago
Here’s to hoping for Apple Pencil support.
If the Mini 5 is simply a Mini 4 with updated processor, w/Apple Pencil 1 support, and priced under $300... Boom!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
This will please a lot of people. Let's hope they don't fold like a hot Mars bar the moment someone picks them up...
The Pros don’t do that either.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
Here’s to hoping for Apple Pencil support.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
.... So they're releasing the 2016 ipad mini?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nviz22 Avatar
99 months ago
Apple should include Apple Pencil support with the Mini. I get it that there isn’t as much real-estate as the Pro or 6th gen iPad, but choices are good.
[doublepost=1549891269][/doublepost]
Sincere Question: Why would Apple want to keep two pencils in stock? That makes no sense to me. Apple likes simple, that would complicate things. I rather saw the 2nd Gen Pencil as a replacement moving forward.
They can still make $ on the education, business, art, etc segments that use iPad 6th gens.

So far, only the iPad Pro 2018 can use the 2nd gen Apple Pencils.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
99 months ago
Sounds very good, although at this point I hope they go for a A11 chip....the A10 is several years old already.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)