Apple's iPad Mini 4 has appeared in purported leaked photographs and video footage, hinting at sweeping changes for the tablet, according to Digital Spy.

The iPad Mini 3 was an incremental update, but media circulated by @OnLeaks indicate that the slate could be undergoing a design change.

Purported photographs of the iPad Mini 4's chassis suggest that Apple is bringing its form factor more in line with the iPad Air 2, scrapping the mute/orientation switch above the volume controls and replacing it with a microphone.

The leak follows reports that Apple is refreshing the iPad Mini with the introduction of an A8 processor and 802.11ac WiFi, glaring omissions on the iPad Mini 3.

Apple does not have any product unveilings scheduled for the immediate future, but is also rumoured to be working on a larger tablet dubbed the iPad Pro.

However, recent reports suggest that the 12.9-inch slate will not enter production until September.