iPad Mini 5 release date, specs rumors: Thinner and lighter Mini 5 to launch in March 2017?

Fans of the iPad Mini got disappointed as they were expecting news about the release of the iPad Mini in the Apple launch event held last September, but the device was a no show. Rumors looked forward to the October Apple event, but it seems that the event to be held on the 27th would actually focus on the launching of the long-awaited Mac updates.

Based on a report from Macworld, fans might see a major overhaul of the iPad Mini 5. The device is expected to be lighter and thinner compared to the previous models. The idea of thinner iPad Mini 5 could be made possible by a new and smaller battery.

While the Mini 5's battery unit may have a lower  capacity than the 5,124 mAh in the Mini 4 , superior battery technology means it will be able to match its predecessor's real-world battery performance. The iPad Mini 4 that was released in 2015 got a 7.9-inch display. Apple could upgrade the Mini 5's size along with other expected features such as Retina display, a 3GB random access memory (RAM) and 32 GB of storage.

According to a iTech Post, the tech company might be trimming down on the number of its iPad models and this might include the iPad Mini and the iPad Air. Moreover, in a report by MacRumors, it is said that Apple might be abandoning production of the iPad Mini altogether after the iPhone models decreased the demand for the tablets.

Despite these rumors, it is still hoped that March 2017 will launch an iPad Mini 5 together with other iPad models such as iPad Pro 2, the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro and a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad. 

In addition, PC Advisor reported the posibility of a repackaged iPad Mini 5 as the smallest version of the iPad Pro series. Such rumor is also valid since the Mini is 7.9-inch.