Rumor has it that Apple is making the necessary preparations for the release of new successor in the iPad Mini series, the iPad Mini 4.

After releasing the iPad Mini 3 and the iPad Air 2 in October, speculations are already circulating on what Apple will be releasing next. Rumors now say that Apple is already looking to expand its iPad Mini series by launching a new device.

Information on the specs of the rumored iPad Mini 4 are limited and uncertain, but many are looking at its predecessors to gauge just what enhancements might be seen. A major change of iPad Mini 3 in particular was only the fingerprint sensor, so Apple is likely to pull out the stops with the iPad Mini 4 instead.

Previously released rumors claimed that the iPad Mini 4 will come with an A8X processor with 128-bit architecture and 2GB of RAM. It is also rumored to resemble the iPad Air 2 and will come in a lighter and thinner body. Apple might also make changes with the display capabilities, something the iPad Mini 3 was widely criticized on.

If things pan out for the iPad Mini 4, there's a chance that Apple will stop production of all previous mini tablets, the iPad Mini 3 included.

If Apple does release the iPad Mini successor, chances are it will come sometime next year around October based on Apple's usual release dates.

However, if Apple would take the less than expected sales of the iPad Mini 3 into account, they might just start rolling out the iPad Mini 4 sooner to replace it. It's a move the company has done before when they released the iPad 4 just a few months after they released the iPad 3.

However, interested consumers and gadget enthusiasts should remember that all the information and supposed leaks are still rumors, and will remain that way if and when the Apple finally sends out an official announcement.