Apple's own website now appears to confirm that a new iPad mini is on the way. A new Smart Folio for the iPad mini, with model number A3632, has surfaced on Apple's French regulatory website. That number doesn't match any iPad mini case Apple has sold so far. The listing was added recently, alongside accessories for the iPhone 18 Pro that went up in September. The document is dated September 9, although it's unclear exactly when it went live.
The listing contains no specs, but a few numbers stand out. The new Smart Folio contains at least 3% recycled materials, down from at least 9% in the current model. It also has at least 6,610mg of rare earth elements, up from 3,947mg, which could point to changes in the magnets that hold the cover to the tablet. That matters because the iPad mini (2021) and the iPad mini (2024) share the same Smart Folio. A new model number for something as simple as a folio suggests the next iPad mini will have physical changes that make current cases incompatible, though that's just speculation.
The rumor mill says the next iPad mini will bring an OLED screen and a more water-resistant design. It is expected later this month. A leak from yesterday also suggested the tablet and the touchscreen MacBook will be shown off together. Both are expected to be announced on October 27 or 28.
The folio listing is the strongest sign yet that Apple is preparing new iPad mini hardware, and the timing fits the leaked launch window closely.
Source: GSMArena · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing