iPad Mini 6 Rumored to Feature A15 Chip and Smart Connector

The sixth-generation iPad mini will feature an A15 chip and a Smart Connector, according to a report from 9to5Mac.

iPad mini pro feature
The next-generation ‌iPad mini‌ is reportedly codenamed "J310" and will feature a number of significant upgrades. The report claims that one of the key features of the new ‌iPad mini‌ will be the A15 chip, which is expected to debut in the iPhone 13 lineup later this year. The A15 is expected to be made with the same 5nm fabrication process as the A14 chip, and Apple is said to be working on a more powerful "A15X" variant for other iPad models set to launch at a later date.

As previously reported by the leaker Jon Prosser, the sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ will also have a USB-C port instead of the current model's Lightning port to open it up to a wider range of peripherals and accessories, bringing it in line with the iPad Pro and iPad Air.

The other major upgrade claimed to be arriving with the new ‌iPad mini‌ is a ‌Smart Connector‌, as previously shown on Jon Prosser's renders of the device that were purportedly based on leaked images. The report says that Apple is planning to release ‌Smart Connector‌ accessories for the new ‌iPad mini‌, but it is not clear what these may be.

Separately, the report also stated that the entry-level ‌iPad‌, reportedly codenamed "J181," is set to receive an update with the A13 chip from the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup. The current model features the A12 chip, meaning that the A13 could give the device a significant performance boost.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that the new ‌iPad mini‌ is expected to launch this fall, and despite a range of inconsistent rumors around the device, most reports seem to have agreed on the device featuring a larger display in the region of 8.4-inches with slimmer bezels and an iPad Air-style redesign.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Tag: 9to5Mac
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro and Air Feature

Two iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air Colors Appear to Scratch More Easily

Friday September 19, 2025 10:02 am PDT by
As reported by Bloomberg today, some of the new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air models on display at Apple Stores today are already scratched and scuffed. French blog Consomac also reported on this topic. The scratches appear to be most prominent on models with darker finishes, including the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max in Deep Blue, and the iPhone Air in Space Black. Images Credit: Consoma ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.0.1 Coming Soon, Likely With iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro Fix

Thursday September 18, 2025 9:17 am PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.0.1, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of sharing information about future iOS versions. The update will have a build number of 23A350, or similar, the account said. It is likely that iOS 26.0.1 will fix a camera-related bug on the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro models. In his iPhone Air review, CNN Underscored's Henry T. ...
iPhone 17 Pro Colors

iPhone 17 Pro Max Teardown Reveals Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 Modem for 5G

Friday September 19, 2025 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone Air is equipped with Apple's custom C1X modem for cellular connectivity, all of the iPhone 17 models are outfitted with Qualcomm modems still. A teardown video shared on Chinese platform Bilibili today (via Reddit) appears to confirm the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X80 modem in particular. The same modem is likely used in the iPhone 17 and iPhone ...
iphone 17 pro max techwoven

Here Are The Best Cases You Can Buy for Your New iPhone 17 and iPhone Air

Friday September 19, 2025 6:46 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhones launch today, and there are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to protecting your new device from drops and scratches. In this article, we're taking a look at some of the best options for iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Air cases, as well as a few charging accessories. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

iOS 26's Liquid Glass Design Draws Criticism From Users

Wednesday September 17, 2025 2:56 pm PDT by
It's been two days since iOS 26 was released, and Apple's new Liquid Glass design is even more divisive than expected. Any major design change can create controversy as people get used to the new look, but the MacRumors forums, Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and social media sites seem to feature more criticism than praise as people discuss the update. Complaints There are a long...
iphone 17 pro inside

iPhone 17 Teardowns Confirm SIM and eSIM-Only Battery Capacities

Friday September 19, 2025 8:39 am PDT by
YouTube channel REWA Technology today shared an iPhone 17 Pro teardown video, offering a closer look inside the model with a SIM card tray. We are still waiting for repair website iFixit to share a more comprehensive teardown of the latest iPhone models, but this video provides a good look in the meantime. The device features various internal design changes, including larger rear camera...

Top Rated Comments

w5jck Avatar
55 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Maybe the point should be that there are people out there who buy iPads other than you. The mini has been the best platform for reading IMO. It isn't big and bulky as its more powerful iPad cousins, nor too tiny like its iPhone cousins. It is the "Goldilocks" of iPads for those who love to read books. It is also way more portable for those who like to have an iPad with them but don't won’t to lug around one of the bigger models. It is a niche market, but so are all the iThingies... Long gone are the days when Henry Ford only sold Model Ts and only sold them in black color. People demand and get more options these days, and that is a good thing.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boak Avatar
55 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Isn't the iPad mini still approximately double the screen size of the iPhone 12 Pro Max?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tenjikuronin Avatar
55 months ago

What’s the main point tho, the iPhones are big and the mini is to small for a tablet
Maybe for you. For me, a normal person, it’s the perfect size for reading and playing games.
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HeavenDynamic Avatar
55 months ago
This is going to be a banger. I just hope it gets Face ID but it will probably just be a smaller iPad Air.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
55 months ago
Nice! It’ll be a worthy upgrade then.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GenesisST Avatar
55 months ago
I love it when people assume that their use case must be the same for everyone!
If you like a big phone and big tablet, more power to you!

I, for one, will jump on this, if it is true.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)