iPad Mini 5 Reportedly Include A Headphone Jack And Smart Connector

Apple is reportedly developing a new version of the iPad Mini series after the release of their previous version four years ago in 2015. According to China Times’ report last week, Apple will launch the new iPad Mini 5 at the beginning of 2019, it carries updated features and more affordable pricing. Slasleaks has shared a photo of the alleged iPad Mini 5 case, which provides us a small clue of the new device’s look.

If the leaked information is true, the iPad Mini 5’s most exciting features are the 3.5mm headphone jack and the smart connector cutout. It is expected that Apple will not carry out a significant overhaul of the iPad Mini’s design. According to analysts, the device will maintain most of the current bezel design. Moreover, it is predicted that iPad Mini 5 will become the most affordable product ever in the iPad Mini series, therefore it is likely that the device will not feature Face ID or Liquid Retina like the productivity workhorse iPad Pro.

However, Apple is probably trying to appear more attractive to young office workers whose jobs mainly center around internet-connected applications and services. Thus, iPad Mini 5 might be designed to be a super portable, inexpensive and compact device that is compatible with Smart Keyboard and Apple’s Pencil. Although Apple hasn't equipped any of their devices with the 3.5mm headphone jack since the release of the iPhone 7 series in 2016, including it to the iPad Mini-Series will make the device more appealing to potential customers who want to work with an ultra-compact and portable tablet that comes with its own compatible keyboard and can also satisfy their entertainment demand instead of a heavy laptop.

According to the leaked information, the iPad Mini 5 will also has a redesigned camera system with a vertically stacked flash component. If all of the mentioned features are actually realized, the iPad Mini 5 may attract an unprecedented level of public attention and finally make a long advance on the path toward becoming a laptop replacement device, which is exactly the initial aim of the iPad products.