iPad mini 5 release date, specs rumors: 3D Touch, Apple Pencil among features?

Apple fans who have long been waiting for the rumored iPad mini 5 may finally get their hands on the highly anticipated Apple device when it drops later this year.

According to Macworld UK, rumors are pointing to a possible fall release for the iPad mini 5, the launch of which has been widely speculated upon for months. Previous reports said that the iPad mini 5 would be announced earlier this year, but the event said to be for the new iPad mini's debut turned out to be the launchpad for the 4-inch iPhone SE.

The latest reports now indicate that the new iPad mini will be unveiled by Apple sometime in September alongside its new iPhone 7 smartphones.

While previous iPad mini models were given separate launch events, usually following the debut of a new iPhone, 2015 saw the unveiling of the iPad mini 4 with the iPad Pro and the iPhone 6.

As for the possible specs of the rumored iPad mini 5, a report roundup by PC Advisor UK pointed to a new iPad mini with an-all new chassis possibly made out of 7000-series aluminum. The iPad mini 5 is also said to be much thinner than its predecessor at only 5mm thin.

With its 7.9-inch Retina display, the iPad mini 5 could look very much like the iPad mini 4. However, the new iPad mini model is said to include Apple's 3D Force Touch haptic feedback technology, making it the first model in the iPad mini lineup to do so.

While none of Apple's hardware lineup has so far been waterproof, there has been talk that the rumored Apple tablet could also feature IP68 protection, following in the footsteps of Samsung's S5 and S7 smartphone series. The iPad mini 5 could also come with Apple's elegant new stylus, the Apple Pencil.

The iPad mini 5 is expected to come loaded with iOS 10 and with bigger storage capacity. PC Advisor UK suggested that Apple will be eliminating the 16 GB iPad mini in favor of the 32 GB model being the variant with the smallest storage capacity for all of its devices.

Apple has not announced the official release date for the rumored iPad mini 5.