Apple has apparently decided to discontinue any update for the iPad Mini. This is one way of saying the iPad Mini will eventually be killed off.
The move to eventually discontinue the iPad Mini is seen as a logical one. As BGR pointed out, the market for a device at that size is now almost nonexistent. Apple already has the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus and the upcoming 10.5-inch iPad Pro. The iPad mini, which measures 7.9 inches, sits between the two. The iPad, meanwhile, measures 9.7 inches. According to BGR, those who like to do some light reading, effortless web browsing, and other simple tasks can make it with the iPhone 7 Plus. Those who prefer to do so in a bigger screen will likely opt for the 2017 iPad Pro. Considering there is still the 9.7-inch iPad in the market, there is indeed little space for the iPad Mini to thrive.
According to 9to5Mac, Apple has only updated the iPad Mini thrice since it was released in 2012. One of those updates involved the addition of the Touch ID sensor and a new gold color option. Such a meager update hints that Apple is not that serious with the iPad Mini, at least not anymore.
This new rumor regarding the eventual death of the iPad Mini contradicts a previous one which claims that a new version of the device is in the works. The rumored iPad Mini Pro will supposedly come with support for Apple pencil and Smart Connector.
Aside from the 9.7-inch iPad and the coming 10.5-inch iPad Pro, Apple's stable of tablets includes the new 9.7-inch iPad, the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The tech conglomerate is also set to release three new tablets, according to rumors. One that has been confirmed is the 10.-5-inch iPad Pro 2.
