The iPad Mini 5 was not featured during the Sept. 7 event held by Apple although this has not dampened the speculations that the company is indeed set on releasing the tablet in the near future. However, reports claim that the iPad Mini 5 may not launch until early 2017.

It has been reported that the iPad Mini 5 won't be released until early next year, and when it does, it may come with several key improvements that will further differentiate itself from the iPad Mini 4. Some of these rumored improvements include a dust resistant and water resistant casing similar to the recently unveiled iPhone 7.

The iPhone Mini 5 is also rumored to start with a 32 GB version, eliminating the lower-end 16 GB version of previous models. It is also expected to feature a full HD Retina display, 3D Touch, and an improved, longer-lasting battery. However, it is not expected to come with the advanced camera seen on the iPhone 7.

It would most likely get rid of the 3.5mm earphone jack, and instead, it will feature a USB Type-C port which is seen on the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and the iPad Pro. The USB Type-C port is becoming the new standard for Apple products, and it is expected to be featured on the iPad Mini 5 when it is launched.

A report from Bloomberg also points out that Apple is not shipping out any new iPad hardware, whether for the highly rumored iPad Mini 5 or the next iteration of the iPad Pro, until 2017 which further suggests the iPad Mini 5 will not be hitting retail stores until next year.

If and when the iPad Mini 5 launches, it is expected to come with the iOS 10, which has already begun rolling out for iPhone and iPad users.

However, it is important to note that Apple has yet to make an official announcement regarding the iPad Mini 5's existence, specs, features, and release date.