While the next 11-inch iPad Pro, like the 12.9-inch model, will be based on mini LEDs, new rumors are also emerging about the upcoming iPad mini, including the A15 -SoC and USB-C should put. As with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, the USB-C connection should be placed on the underside.
More accessories with USB-C and Smart Connector
In addition to USB-C and A15 SoC, the iPad mini should also have a magnetic Smart Connector. With these two new connections, the iPad mini could use significantly more accessories in the future. The current iPad mini still uses the Lightning connector. So far, nothing has been known about the planned accessories for an iPad mini with Smart Connector. The design of the new iPad mini, codenamed J310, is expected to be similar to the current iPad Air. It should have thinner display bezels and dispense with the home button. The current iPad mini is from 2019 and uses the A12 Bionic.
A15 and A15X for upcoming iPads
The A15 processor is said to be manufactured in the same manufacturing process with 5 nm as the A14 from Apple. According to information from 9to5mac, Apple should also work on a more powerful variant, which would be called A15X following the previous nomenclature. An A15X would then be reserved for the larger iPad models under the iPad Pro, which would not rely on Apple's M1 or a successor in the near future.
The new iPad mini should will be presented and sold later this year.
Entry-level iPad should get A13
Away from the rumors about the new iPad mini Apple is also to work on a new entry-level iPad, code name J181, which will use the A13 SoC as the main processor. The A12 Bionic is used in the current 10-inch iPad. Rumors had already speculated that the inexpensive iPad will adopt the design of the iPad Air 3.