There are rumors that the upcoming iPad mini 6 will feature a surprising design change. The images of the aluminum cutout have been cited on the website techordo.com in collaboration with a leakster named “xleaks7”.
Although this looks like an iPad Air at first glance because it has rounded edges, slimmer bezels, and Touch ID on its power button; According to MacRumors there is only one major difference being noticed and that is the location of the Volume buttons.
This is a unique iPad design change, with all previous iPads placing the volume buttons on the right side of the device. iPad mini 6 could have volume buttons located at the top edge alongside the power button and Touch ID sensor that is also situated in this region.
As mentioned, placing the volume buttons at this top right location would make sense for larger iPads. They are often used in landscape mode and with keyboards. This is because users will no longer need to lift their hands up past the display so they can access these buttons.
In landscape orientation when using an external keyboard, having these buttons on a different side of your iPad could be more convenient. As it’s now closer to you instead of being located at other sides. Where your hands don’t stretch much further than beyond your device screen or mini-display area (for smaller devices).
The third-party accessory makers use cutouts of the exact dimensions to develop their accessories. The volume button placement on these models is accurate because they are made using real device measurements. If supply chain sources are correct, then we can assume that this model accurately represents what’s coming out in future devices as well!
Gurman has heard from reliable sources that the Apple iPad mini 6 will be released alongside new iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 3, and AirPods this autumn. But there aren’t any details on what changes it might include or when exactly they are scheduled to happen.