Apple released the iPad mini 3 only last October but that, evidently, is not enough reason for the rumor mill to slow down when it comes to speculating what the next new device would be. The latest word is, the iPad mini 4 will be the new device on the block this year, and that it will be released in spring or in April. 

Since the iPad mini 3 was released last year, Apple fans assumed that they would need to wait for another year for its successor. However, according to MacWorld, the iPad mini 4 will not wait until later this year but will instead make an appearance alongside the massive tablet iPad Pro. This is backed up by Mac Fan, which reported that Apple is working on the new iPad mini 4 that will run with the same A8X processor as the iPad Air 2 and will also sport a thinner profile. 

The release of the iPad mini 4 could mean that Apple would phase out the iPad mini and iPad mini 3. Apple fans are reportedly unhappy with the latter anyway. The iPad mini 3 lacks exciting updates since most of the specs and features are the same as the iPad mini with Retina display. The only difference is the added TouchID fingerprint sensor.  

The iPad mini 4 will allegedly share the limelight with the iPad Pro. Also dubbed as iPad Air Plus, it is predicted to sport a massive 12.2-inch screen display and a profile similar to iPad Air 2. The tablet will also pack an A9 processor, and dual top and bottom speakers. The tablet-laptop hybrid is also rumored to include an Adreno 420 graphics chipset paired with 2 GB of RAM, iOS 8 or iOS 9, 8-megapixel rear camera, 1.2-megapixel front-facing camera, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, and will be available in 16 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB internal storage variants. 

Obviously, Apple has not revealed any details about these devices and there is no confirmation whether Apple will release them this year, if at all. Consumers will have to wait, and who knows, Apple may surprise everyone once again.