Although it's widely known that Apple is all set to launch a whole host of gadgets in the near future, nearly every report surrounding the upcoming Apple devices center either on the iPhone 7 or the Apple Watch 2. Amidst the bunch of lesser-focused-on devices lies the iPad Mini 5, which is likely to enjoy a release date that tags alongside the launch date of the new flagship phone.

An account on Macworld states that the new iPad Mini, which succeeds the much loved Mini 4, will sport an A9 processor. This is expected to improve the power management in the tablet. But the device allegedly fails on other fronts. Neurogadget mentions that the iPad Mini 5 may possess a smaller, and poorer, battery when compared to its predecessor.

The smaller battery, if it does come to pass, will have the effect of slimming the tablet down to barely 5 mm. This will no doubt make gadget lovers who believe in the motto 'the smaller the better' happy.

But thinning down the iPad Mini 5 may have some negative consequences, as Vine Report notes. From the user's point of view, the traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack may be done away with, and the tablet may possess just one lightning connector that doubles up as both the connecting port as well as the charging port.

For fans of the tech company's tablet series, the predicted poor battery performance in the new iPad Mini need not really be a concern. Apple is, to its credit, well aware of the fact that competition is stiffer in the tablet-line this time around. Therefore, the company is more than likely to work around the features to compensate for a smaller battery.

In the meantime, as you wait for the tablet, it would help to know that the base model is expected to be priced at around $399.