Apple fanatics who wish the iPad Air 2 was a bit smaller or the iPad mini 3 had more upgrades would love to know more about the iPad mini 4. Japanese publication Macotakara has word that the upcoming tablet will be a trimmed version of the iPad Air 2.

According to the publication, the newest mini entry from Apple will get the same specs as that of the iPad Air 2. What this means is that the latest iteration in the small tablet series won't only be more powerful, it will also serve as the lightest and slimmest in its group.

Macotakara says that the iPad mini 4 will be stripped down from a bulky 7.4mm to an ultrathin and sleek 6.1mm to match its big brother's slenderness. The display may even be armored with antireflective coating to make it more eye-friendly.

As per Mac Rumors, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shares the same insight regarding Apple's plans for the new iPad mini. It should be noted that Kuo has a reliable, impressive record when it comes to future releases of the Cupertino-based tech giant.

The improvements also include an 8-megapixel iSight camera on the back. Apple's keenness to up its game on the iPad mini lineup is reportedly because it won't release the iPad Air 3 and is focusing its energies on the device and the rumored giant tablet iPad Pro.

According to BGR, the iPad mini 4 is poised to save the plummeting sales for the lineup. Although CEO Tim Cook and the rest of his team enjoy so much from their iPhone success, their tablet front just needs saving.

As for rumors about the iPad Air 3, speculators are in conflict. Economic Daily News, a publication based in Taiwan, has long reported that Apple won't release the said tablet. Macotakara claims that there will be one and it will be powered with a next-gen A9 processor.  

Unfortunately, there aren't any other details provided for the rest of the specs sheet of the iPad mini 4. But it was said that it should see the light of day later this year along with the rumored 12.9-inch tablet dubbed as the iPad Pro around the same months Apple releases new products.

BGR says that the giant tablet being worked on by Apple will be unveiled in the middle of November. Apple should be lifting the veil off the iPad mini 4 around this time, too.