Case images might have outed the new iPad mini 6 — but they're questionable

Claimed Ipad Mini 6 Photo (Image credit: @MajinBuOfficial)

What you need to know

New images claim to show the new iPad mini 6 for the first time.
The new images show an iPad mini with an attached full-size Apple Pencil.
The design doesn't match previous leaks, though.

New images appear to show the upcoming iPad mini 6 device for the first time, but there are questions surrounding their legitimacy.

The images, shared to Twitter by @MajinBuOfficial, show what appears to be an iPad mini wearing a clear case. A full-sized Apple Pencil is attached to one side — a move that necessitates the moving of the volume buttons. In this image, they've been moved to the top of the device.

iPad mini 6
all the information I have#Apple #iPadMini6 pic.twitter.com/GRyNwiUrt9iPad mini 6
all the information I have#Apple #iPadMini6 pic.twitter.com/GRyNwiUrt9— Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) September 12, 2021 September 12, 2021

That lone isn't necessarily concerning, but previous reports did suggest Apple was working on a smaller Apple Pencil for iPad mini, while some other aspects of the design don't fully match what we've come to expect from other leaks. Those leaks have generally come via Jon Prosser and now the person who handles renders for Prosser has also weighed in, suggesting something could be amiss.

This design is not the one I saw. it’s possible they went with the same apple pencil and had to move volume buttons though.
What is not happening though is the stereo speakers which we saw in cad and images. Also mic is on the right and no flash. this is likely a guess from airThis design is not the one I saw. it’s possible they went with the same apple pencil and had to move volume buttons though.
What is not happening though is the stereo speakers which we saw in cad and images. Also mic is on the right and no flash. this is likely a guess from air— ian (@ianzelbo) September 12, 2021 September 12, 2021

Apple isn't expected to announce the new iPad mini until a second event rather than tomorrow's iPhone 13 outing. That could mean we still have a few weeks before we know for sure whether these images are legitimate, or not.

Ignoring the images themselves for a moment, giving an iPad mini full Apple Pencil 2 support could make it the best iPad for all kinds of uses. Especially for those at school or working jobs that require a lot of notes!

More interested in iPhones and Apple Watches than iPads and Macs? The big event takes place Tuesday, September 14 at 10 am Pacific Time.

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.