iPad mini 6 watchers know that the next model of Apple's most teenage tablet is rumored to ship this fall, but now a new leak suggests that it may come with some cool upgrades, including USB-C connectivity, a magnetic Smart Connector, and the same A15 chip that is expected in this fall's iPhone 13 models, suggesting that they may arrive with some cool upgrades, including the same A15 chip that is expected to be in the iPhone 13 models.

This report comes from a source trusted by 9to5Mac, meaning that while you should take it with the skepticism that should greet any rumor, it is quite likely to be based on some grain of truth. Much of what the sources claim is also consistent with what we've heard from other sources. For example, we have already heard from several leakers that Apple is planning to launch a new iPad Mini this fall with the "biggest redesign" in years.

According to veteran Apple reporter Mark Gurman, that redesign is intended to increase the iPad mini's screen size without increasing the size of the tablet's casing. If that happens, it would mean that the new iPad mini, shipping this fall, will have thinner bezels and possibly eliminate the home button.

Based on this 9to5Mac report, we expect to see a redesigned iPad mini 6 in stores this fall that is much more powerful than the previous model - the current iPad mini 5, pictured above, debuted in 2018 with the iPhone X series It is powered by Apple's A12 Bionic chip -- and has more connectivity options. The possibility of Apple eliminating the iPad mini's Lighting port in favor of USB-C is particularly exciting, and would greatly expand the range of accessories available for the iPad mini 6.

If the iPad mini 6 does include a magnetic Smart Connector, that would be the icing on the cake. Magnetic connectors first appeared on the iPad Pro in 2015 and have since appeared on all iPad models except the mini. If so, the future will bring the ability to connect the Magic Keyboard to the iPad mini when you are on the go or on the couch and want to be a little more productive.