Apple iPad Mini
A member of the media holds the new iPad mini with Retnia display during an Apple event in San Francisco, California October 22, 2013. Reuters/Robert Galbraith

The Apple iPad Mini 5 is not dead. Instead, reports suggest the device will be released in March 2017 though the Cupertino-based tech giant has not confirmed any of the rumours circulating on the web. There are also talks that the iPad Mini 5 will sport similar specs to that of Apple iPad Pro 2.

Even though fans are wildly speculating the specs of the iPad Mini 5, some still believe that Apple has abandoned that line. As has been reported numerous times, known analyst Ming Chi-Kuo has predicted that the Apple iPad Mini 5 is on its way and will release in 2017 as all Apple events for this year are over, writes PC Advisor.

Going by the latest Apple upgrades, the iPad Mini 5 is also expected to drop the 3.5mm headphone jack and introduce the USB Type-C ports. As far as battery capacity is concerned, the Apple iPad Mini 5 could sport a similar battery as the iPad Mini 4. Fans are expecting major upgrades to the device when it releases.

Based on the iPad Mini 5 variant a fan buys, a minimum of 2GB RAM and internal storage capacity of 13-128GB is expected. With the iOS 11 ready to launch itself next year too, the Mini may be powered by the latest operating system from Apple. An A10 processor is also expected.

As per Macworld, the Apple iPad Mini 5 is expected to be slimmer and thinner than its predecessor. Cynical analysts believe that even if Apple does release an iPad Mini 5, it would be the last of its line. Subsequently, the Mini line will be renamed and added to the iPad Pro 2 family.

Overenthusiastic fans believe that the Apple iPad Mini 5 will be completely different from its predecessor in terms of design as well as performance.