Apple iPad Mini 5 release date, specs news 2016: Device to release September, will be waterproof?

The Apple iPad mini 5 is expected to be the sturdiest in its family yet. According to reports, the tablet will be heavily upgraded both on the outside and the inside.

As rumor has it, the tablet won't drastically change its design and that it will look a lot like its predecessor. However, the iPad mini 5 will be thinner but still heavy-duty, thanks to its 7000-series aluminum chassis.

To top it all off, the iPad mini 5 is rumored to also get an IP68 rating, which should make it dust and water resistant to a certain extent. This is definitely a big upgrade since not one in Apple's mini tablet series uses such technology.

The upgrade on the build of the upcoming iPad mini will be matched with the hardware on the inside. The iPad mini 5 is reportedly getting an A9 processor, an upgrade from the last generation's A8 chipset.

With this upgrade, the tablet should perform much faster and will process tasks easier. It will also help the iPad mini 5's battery last longer so that users can make the most of it for long hours. The M9 motion co-processor will help achieve that as well.

It is the same technology that Apple used on the iPhone 6s. It's no wonder that the iPad mini 5 is getting that same treatment as well. On top of that, the tablet is also expected to feature 3D Touch, which Apple debuted on the said iPhone.

Those who were hoping for an upgrade on the cameras will be in for a let-down. The iPad mini is allegedly keeping its predecessor's 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and its 1.2-megapixels selfie camera.

However, even though the megapixels aren't different, Apple may still do a bit of polishing on the other aspects of the shooters. With regards to the software, the iPad Mini 5 is expected to be one of the first devices to have iOS 10.

Other rumors about the iPad mini 5 specs include the replacement of the 3.5mm headphone jack with a D-jack and the addition of a Smart Connector port.

The iPad mini 5 is rumored to be launched this September.