Apple phasing out iPad mini in light of low sales, Plus-sized iPhones - report

There's been "fierce cannibalism of our own products," and the Mini has been "sized out of its own category," an alleged Apple source told BGR. The device's weakening sales have been "very clear," the person noted.

Unmentioned, however, was whether Apple will keep selling the Mini 4 for a while or if it plans to axe the device entirely in the next few months.

In terms of cannibalized sales, the main culprits are thought to be the 5.5-inch Plus versions of the iPhone. While the Mini 4 has a bigger screen at 7.9 inches, it may not make much sense to get one given that a Plus can also serve as a phone.

Apple also recently launched a 9.7-inch "budget" iPad, which is not only cheaper than the Mini 4 at $329, but has a faster A9 processor. The Mini 4 is still equipped with an A8.

The company is expected to refresh the 12.9-inch iPad Pro sometime this year, and moreover launch a new 10.5-inch Pro with thinner bezels. The hardware could be announced as soon as Apple's WWDC 2017 keynote on June 5.