Apple blog 9to5mac reported that a user named White shared photos on Twitter that are said to be an unreleased iPad mini, which looks different from any previous generation iPad. In recent months, the user has shared a number of photos that look like early prototypes and parts of the Apple product.
The photos show a rose gold iPad mini. Compared to the iPad mini 4, the noticeable change is the antenna design, though the iPad mini 4 also has a similar antenna design, but the inside the antenna is filled with plastic. Apple later improved the antenna design, starting with the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, which uses a smaller antenna design, so it indicates that the iPad mini in the photo may be a new model under development.
Asides from that, the iPad mini in the photo looks exactly the same as the iPad mini 4, with a headphone jack, volume buttons, Lightning port, two speakers on the bottom, and there is no flash next to the tablet's rear camera, which is consistent with every previous iPad mini. But, it will be powered by the A9 chip (the same chip as it can be found on iPhone 6s) instead of the latest A12 chip.
In summary, the iPad mini shown in the photo could possibly be an older prototype that may never be released. Apple is known for design a variety of device prototypes internally, but these prototypes are not necessarily coming to market. However, if a new iPad mini is coming soon, the time is likely to be March, as March is the most common release month for iPads lately.
Asides from that, the iPad mini in the photo looks exactly the same as the iPad mini 4, with a headphone jack, volume buttons, Lightning port, two speakers on the bottom, and there is no flash next to the tablet's rear camera, which is consistent with every previous iPad mini. But, it will be powered by the A9 chip (the same chip as it can be found on iPhone 6s) instead of the latest A12 chip.
In summary, the iPad mini shown in the photo could possibly be an older prototype that may never be released. Apple is known for design a variety of device prototypes internally, but these prototypes are not necessarily coming to market. However, if a new iPad mini is coming soon, the time is likely to be March, as March is the most common release month for iPads lately.