iPad Mini 6 Rumored to Feature A15 Chip and Smart Connector

The sixth-generation iPad mini will feature an A15 chip and a Smart Connector, according to a report from 9to5Mac.

iPad mini pro feature
The next-generation ‌iPad mini‌ is reportedly codenamed "J310" and will feature a number of significant upgrades. The report claims that one of the key features of the new ‌iPad mini‌ will be the A15 chip, which is expected to debut in the iPhone 13 lineup later this year. The A15 is expected to be made with the same 5nm fabrication process as the A14 chip, and Apple is said to be working on a more powerful "A15X" variant for other iPad models set to launch at a later date.

As previously reported by the leaker Jon Prosser, the sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ will also have a USB-C port instead of the current model's Lightning port to open it up to a wider range of peripherals and accessories, bringing it in line with the iPad Pro and iPad Air.

The other major upgrade claimed to be arriving with the new ‌iPad mini‌ is a ‌Smart Connector‌, as previously shown on Jon Prosser's renders of the device that were purportedly based on leaked images. The report says that Apple is planning to release ‌Smart Connector‌ accessories for the new ‌iPad mini‌, but it is not clear what these may be.

Separately, the report also stated that the entry-level ‌iPad‌, reportedly codenamed "J181," is set to receive an update with the A13 chip from the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup. The current model features the A12 chip, meaning that the A13 could give the device a significant performance boost.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that the new ‌iPad mini‌ is expected to launch this fall, and despite a range of inconsistent rumors around the device, most reports seem to have agreed on the device featuring a larger display in the region of 8.4-inches with slimmer bezels and an iPad Air-style redesign.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tag: 9to5Mac
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

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Top Rated Comments

w5jck Avatar
56 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Maybe the point should be that there are people out there who buy iPads other than you. The mini has been the best platform for reading IMO. It isn't big and bulky as its more powerful iPad cousins, nor too tiny like its iPhone cousins. It is the "Goldilocks" of iPads for those who love to read books. It is also way more portable for those who like to have an iPad with them but don't won’t to lug around one of the bigger models. It is a niche market, but so are all the iThingies... Long gone are the days when Henry Ford only sold Model Ts and only sold them in black color. People demand and get more options these days, and that is a good thing.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
56 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Isn't the iPad mini still approximately double the screen size of the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tenjikuronin Avatar
56 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Maybe for you. For me, a normal person, it’s the perfect size for reading and playing games.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HeavenDynamic Avatar
56 months ago
This is going to be a banger. I just hope it gets Face ID but it will probably just be a smaller iPad Air.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
56 months ago
Nice! It’ll be a worthy upgrade then.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisST Avatar
56 months ago
I love it when people assume that their use case must be the same for everyone!
If you like a big phone and big tablet, more power to you!

I, for one, will jump on this, if it is true.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)