Apple did not mention anything about the iPad Mini 5 in its iPhone 7 event. However, it is expected to unveil the upcoming iPad Mini variant soon.

Apple rumor: iPad Mini 5 specs and design

Looking back to the launch of iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, Apple has integrated new stuffs in the new iPhone. Hence, it is assumed that the iPad Mini 5 could sport features that the iPhone 7 gets.

The iPad Mini 5 is expected to have a thinner dimension than the 4th generation. It will likely receive major upgrades including the A10 chip which also equips iPhone 7. It will likely get water and dust resistant body.

With iOS 10 beta makes the final round, the iPad Mini 5 could run iOS 10 out of the box. Apple is likely to equip the tablet with 3D touch that's featured in the iPhone 7. Neurogadget speculated that there may be a few internal storage options: 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB. However, given that Apple removes 16 GB storage variant on iPhone 7, the iPad Mini 5 16 GB might no longer be available as well.

Moreover, Apple made a quiet move to upgrade storage in its iPad Mini 4. Now, the base storage is 32 GB and the highest is 128 GB.

Apple rumor: iPad Mini 5 release date

iPad Mini 5 is also a highly anticipated iDevice but the absence at iPhone event gets the fans speculate its release alongside the Macbook Pro 2016. According to the internal sources, Macbook Pro 2016 will likely be unveiled at a later date, Bloomberg noted. The iPad Mini superfans should expect the appearance of a new iPad Mini variant in the event.

Another rumor also speculates the different naming for the iPad Mini 5 - which is, the iPad Mini Pro. Regardless of the assumptions and rants; these speculations are to be taken with a grain of salt.