Apple has started authorizing store owners to offer discounts on selected company products, which include several iPad Mini 4 variants. This could be nothing special since it is a common practice by manufactures. However, many see that the Cupertino-based tech giant may also be clearing the way for its upcoming iPad Mini 5.

Apple fans who prefer the smallest tablet as their gadget are expecting that a new version will be launching this year. The iPad Mini 5 is expected to have the rumored iOS 10, an upgraded processor, possibly an A9, but it might retain the 2GB RAM.

Ecumenical News mentioned that fans are also clamoring that a 3D-touch enabled touch screen be included in the upcoming model, a feature similarly found on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus. The upcoming model is rumored to be thinner than its predecessor, around 5 mm against 6.1 mm.

HotSpotiphone added that the company might also use the 7000-Series aluminum for its frame to reduce weight as well as add durability.

However, a previous report mentioned that this year may not be the time for an iPad Mini 5. It is speculated that the company will focus on another smaller version of the iPad Pro, pushing the Mini to be released next year.

This rumor is in anticipation of the products to be released by its major competitor, Microsoft, which plans to have both software and hardware product launchings.

The iPad Mini 4 was released last September and contains an A8 processor paired with 2GB of RAM. It comes with an 8-inch screen and is said to offer better resolution than larger tablets. It is also known to perform fast even with multitasking and it offers great picture quality.

Nothing has been confirmed with the fifth generation of the iPad Mini.