GizChina points to several case designs for the upcoming 7.85" iPad Mini. The new smaller iPad has been rumored to be launched later this year. The most recent rumors have suggested the new device will look closer to a large iPod touch, than a smaller iPad. Specifically, the side bezels are expected to be narrower as shown in the previous rendering.
Some case manufacturers seem to be taking similar dimensions into account with new case designs intended for the 7.85" iPad. As shown here, the side-bezels are much narrower than the top and bottom. The case designs also show off the Facetime Camera and a hole for the rear camera.
The iPad depicted within the case shows the new smaller dock connector, but those device images tend to be rendered mockups based on circulating expectations. In the past, the case designs themselves have been sourced from leaked/stolen specifications of the upcoming Apple device.
Other images show the usual microphone opening at the top of the device, though there is also an extra upper-back opening, the purpose of which isn't clear.
Thursday February 26, 2026 3:57 pm PST by Juli Clover
Along with the low-cost MacBook, Apple could introduce a refreshed version of the MacBook Air next week. Most of the focus will be on the new machine, but the MacBook Air is expected to get some useful internal updates.
M5 Chip
The next-generation MacBook Air will adopt the M5 chip, which Apple already introduced in the iPad Pro and MacBook Pro models that came out last year.
Apple's M5...
Thursday February 26, 2026 6:06 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple CEO Tim Cook today teased "a big week ahead," with announcements starting Monday. His post included an #AppleLaunch hashtag with a colorful Apple logo, along with a short video that ultimately shows an Apple logo on the lid of a Mac.
Apple is reportedly planning a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4, with up to five new products...
With a similar screen size and easy, one-handed grip, the iPad mini has always been the Apple device that overlaps most with dedicated e-readers. Now, amid rumors pointing to an OLED display for the next generation, could the iPad mini finally replace devices such as the Kindle and Kobo?
The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device. OLED panels...
Yawn. Didn't we ride this merry-go-round last year? https://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/15/case-mate-preps-for-release-of-iphone-5-cases-with-revamped-design/
It's quite interesting that Apple (if the product is even released) has allowed the bezel to be that slim, because when you imagine holding it, your thumb would likely cover the edge of the screen. I'm guessing that this is their way to, if you like, differentiate the iPad Mini as a more e-reading friendly/mobile device from the original iPad, because that bezel and design for the speaker grill/dock connector is almost identical to the new iPhone.
The bezel size depends on the size/weight of the thing. the iPhone bezel is quite small. That's because you don't need your thumb to brace the device. So, a large bezel isn't automatically necessary -- it depends on the device heft.
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
This is exactly why you're not on Apple's product design team. Obviously there are a ton of people who want an e-reader sized device. You're views are not the same as the other millions of Apple consumers.
I mean, why are there different sized computers? different sized iPods? different sized everything.....
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
I have an iPad. I took it on vacation out to SDG and Comic Con.
It was great for having at the hotel, airport and at my friends house.
It was not so great for sight seeing, taking around and actually at Comic Con. Just too bulky for on the go and you need a backpack or case for it. The mini would fit in your cargo pants pocket or a womans purse, etc.
The whole time, I actually was like 'man...I hope they come out with that mini-ipad' because it would be great for things like I just did.
Sure Apple tell us every year what we actually want....but im not sure we need this.
Im sure they will sell really well initially, but im pretty sure after a good run of sales, the full size iPad eat up all the sales.
Its a stupid product. Why design a tablet, tell the world how mazing everything is this size in your hand, then later on say, actually we can do it smaller too..
Its still too big to fit in a pocket, or too big to be a phone+, so whats the point in it exactly?
People with smaller hands lol?
Perfect size for a woman's handbag though, current iPad too big for most... That's a pretty big market.
