iPad Mini 4 Rumors: Thinner 7.9-Inch Tablet Could Take On iPad Air 2 Specs

Apple’s next iPad Mini could be getting slimmer. According to Japanese blog Mac Otakara, the fourth-generation iPad Mini will take on some of the specs of Apple’s thinnest tablet -- the iPad Air 2.

That would bring the so-called “iPad Mini 4” down to thickness of 6.1 millimeters, a reduction of 1.4 millimeters off its current thickness. Others specs are expected to be similar to the iPad Air 2, including a 8-megapixel camera and fully laminated display with anti-reflective coating. The laminated display will allow Apple to reduce to save space for the rest of the iPad’s components.

Mac Otakara also claims that Apple may release an iPad Air 3 sporting an A9 chip -- the successor to the A8 chip on the iPhone 6. But that stands in contrast to a claim that Apple will not release a new iPad Air in 2015, according to Taiwan’s MacRumors.

Later this year, Apple is also expected to unveil a 12.9-inch iPad -- the so-called “iPad Pro.” The larger tablet is expected to come with a number of features, such as Force Touch which can detect the difference between a light tap and a hard press on the screen. The tablet may also support NFC (near-field communication) to accept mobile payments and an optional display manufacturing problems had reportedly pushed back its launch.

Apple has sought to reverse the plummeting sales of its iPads, which have declined for five consecutive quarters, including an 18 percent drop of unit sales in its latest completed quarter.