It's time for Apple to decide what it wants the iPad mini to be

It's almost tough to remember now, but the original iPad mini (launched in November 2012) was a solution to a recurring complaint with iPads: size and weight. Indeed, earlier that year, Apple released the third-generation 9.7-inch iPad, likely its heaviest tablet ever.

Source : https://www.pocket-lint.com/time-for-apple-to-decide-on-ipad-mini/