The rumors surrounding the 2019 iPad launches have started to mount up. AppleInsider covers what has been claimed so far, including the possibility of a fifth-generation version of the pint-sized iPad mini. Back in March, Apple released the 2018 9.7" iPad, packing the powerful A10 processor and Apple Pencil support for only $329. This made it the cheapest tablet in the company's product line, and extremely good value for money. Weirdly, Apple continues to sell the iPad mini 4, a tablet that is less powerful, has no Apple Pencil support and is $70 more expensive than the main iPad. It also has not received any updates since its introduction in 2015, making it long overdue for an overhaul. After the 2018 iPad Pro was released, we compared the various iPads that are on sale, and advised not to buy the iPad mini 4, because it's simply a bad deal compared to the 2018 iPad. Thankfully, a bunch of rumors have surfaced pointing to a fifth-generation iPad mini and a 2019 iPad being released in the first half of the year. The rumors begin The first inkling of rumors about the 2019 iPads arrived in October. Well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo made the prediction that a new iPad mini equipped with an upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel is coming, but he didn't give any timetable for release. In December, sources of the China Business Times claimed Apple will be launching two low-priced iPad models in 2019, with the iPad expected to undergo a refresh similar to the new design of the iPad Pro. We'll have to see it to believe it, but if that's the case, it'll likely support the new Apple Pencil and its new wireless charging method, but we won't know for sure until it happens. Renders and panels Over the holidays, images of an iPad Mini 5 case surfaced on SlashLeaks, but they were quickly shut down by OnLeaks, claiming the case was made based upon a 2016 prototype instead of a newer design. Earlier this month, pictures of a possible iPad Mini 5 showed up on Twitter, packing an antenna line for 4G connections. Other than that, it still seems to be packing a headphone jack, lightning port, and a home button, so there may not be big changes coming to the iPad mini 5 if the photographs are legitimate. DigiTimes sources claimed on January 17 two suppliers have already been contracted to supply touch panels for two new iPads coming in the first half of 2019. The small possibility Way back in 2017, an alleged Apple source told BGR the iPad mini has been sized out of its own category. What's most interesting is the iPad mini 4 is still for sale on Apple's website, which points to Apple not giving up on the tablet line just yet. With all of these recent rumors, there's a good chance we'll see an iPad mini 5 sometime this year, but of course, there's no way to know for sure until either more solid leaks arrive or until Apple actually launches it. As for the iPad, a lot of us were already expecting an update in March, which is around the time when Apple unveils its budget iPad. It's hard to say if the talk of a major redesign will bear fruit, since any major redesign would warrant a price increase, and Apple wants to keep it priced low for the educational market. A switch to USB-C and support for the new Apple Pencil seems like it could actually happen without bringing the price up much at all, but at the cost of preventing existing iPad owners from reusing their accessories on the new model, something that has been mostly possible between iPad generations for a few years already.<doc-sep>Over recent weeks, reports have suggested Apple is planning a new iPad mini 5 as well as a 10-inch iPad. Now, the company has registered a handful new iPad models with the Eurasian Economic Commission, the database that has revealed new Apple devices in the past. The filings show Apple having registered a handful of “tablet computers” running iOS 12 with the EEC. The model numbers listed are as follows: A2123, A2124, A2126, A2153, A2154, A2133, and A2152. The filings were first discovered by MySmartPrice, and we’ve verified their existence in the database. It is hard to discern too many details from Apple model numbers, but the database filings are often good indicators of release timetables. In the past, this Eurasian database has revealed upcoming Apple product releases including new MacBooks and iPads in 2017, as well as the iPhone 7, Apple Watch Series 2, and more in 2016. Last year, the $329 iPad refresh made an appearance in February, around a month before its release. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was first to predict a new iPad mini 5 last October, saying it could be released in early 2019. According to Kuo, the new iPad mini will feature an “upgraded processor and a lower-cost panel.” A separate report last week said the new iPad mini will be “low-priced,” corroborating Kuo’s claim. Further, a report last month said that Apple is planning a new 10-inch iPad. Seemingly, the 10-inch iPad would replace the 9.7-inch in Apple’s lineup, with the company slightly reducing the bezels. Based on the timing of these filings, it’s possible Apple is planning a March release of its rumored 10-inch iPad as well as the iPad mini 5. This event could also bring AirPods 2, for which iOS 12.2 lays the foundation. A spring event would not be out of the ordinary for Apple. Last year, the company held an event in March at a high school in Chicago where it unveiled the $329 iPad with Apple Pencil support. The same event also brought the introduction fo several new software features targeting education users. Related stories: Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>
NHL partners with SAP and Apple for in-game statistics Watch Now Apple is a creature of habit. It holds events and releases products on a somewhat predictable schedule. Also: Microsoft is right. The iPad is a kid's toy Usually, in June, Apple announces the latest OS updates for its products at WWDC. Then, in September, the company announces new iPhones and Apple Watches. In October, we get new iPad Pro models. And sometimes there's a March event, which Apple has used to announce products ranging from new iPad models to the iPhone SE. With murmurs of an updated iPad and new iPad mini starting to take hold, we could be a few months from fresh tablets. New iPad models expected in 2019 (Image: ZDNet) Entry-level iPad EEC certification for new iPad models has appeared A 10-inch display could bring a new design In January 2019, MySmartPrice located six model numbers for unreleased Apple tablets (read: iPad models). They were certified by the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC). This same type of certification for unannounced products has been reliable in giving us a glimpse at what's coming from Apple. But, unfortunately, these filings didn't include any details, such as screen size or internal specifications. In December 2018, China Times reported a new entry-level iPad model is slated for release in early 2019. Breaking from tradition, Apple will move away from a 9.7-inch display to a slightly larger 10-inch display. The entry-level iPad was last refreshed in early 2018, when Apple held an education-focused event in Chicago. An updated model with a slightly bigger display will likely have a new design, perhaps one similar to the recently updated iPad Pro models, which have smaller bezels and a magnetic charging port for the Apple Pencil 2. In theory, iOS 12.2 references four new iPads in WiFi & Cellular variants (perhaps mini, and 9.7"? ), all without Face ID, and a (seventh-gen?) iPod touch with no Touch ID nor Face ID pic.twitter.com/xiJN6kmmTe — Steve Troughton-Smith (@stroughtonsmith) January 25, 2019 More recently, a developer found references to four new iPads in the first beta of iOS 12.2 and posted his findings on Twitter. There's also a reference to an iPod touch. All the devices appear to lack support for Face ID. Must read (Image: CNET) iPad Mini Kuo says an iPad Mini is coming It would be the first update to iPad Mini since Sept. 2015. In late 2018, well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasted the release of an iPad mini 5, according to Apple Insider. The prediction didn't include a release date, but Digitimes reported that Apple is readying a new iPad mini model for the first half of 2019. Also: Peak iPad Pro: The end of major advances? Whether the new iPad Mini will feature a fresh design, or stick to the familiar 7.9-inch display with large bezels, is unknown, but it's safe to assume it will include Apple's latest processors and improved displays. Related stories: