Apple immediately revealed the seventh-generation iPad mini, introducing a number of important upgrades that make it a standout from its predecessor. Here is every thing that is new.
On the core of the brand new gadget is the A17 Professional chip, first launched final 12 months within the iPhone 15 Professional, which delivers quicker CPU and GPU efficiency together with superior graphics options like hardware-accelerated ray tracing. One of the necessary additions is assist for Apple Intelligence, unlocking new AI-driven options that might dramatically enhance consumer expertise. It is also value noting that the gadget now begins with 128GB of storage, double the earlier base capability, with no improve in worth.
The seventh-generation iPad mini additionally boasts a quicker USB-C port for faster information transfers, Sensible HDR 4 for higher photograph high quality, and assist for the Apple Pencil Professional with hover performance for larger precision. A brand new Blue shade additionally replaces Pink within the lineup. The entire variations between the sixth- and seventh-generation iPad mini fashions are listed beneath:
iPad mini (sixth era, 2021) |
iPad mini (seventh era, 2024) |
---|---|
A15 Bionic chip (launched with iPhone 13 in 2021, made with TSMC’s 5nm N5P course of) | A17 Professional chip (launched with iPhone 15 Professional in 2023, made with TSMC’s 3nm N3 course of) |
6-core CPU | 6-core CPU (30% quicker) |
5-core GPU | 5-core GPU (25% quicker) |
{Hardware}-accelerated ray tracing | |
{Hardware}-accelerated mesh shading | |
4GB reminiscence | 8GB reminiscence (unconfirmed, however probably) |
Dynamic Caching | |
16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine (2x quicker) |
Apple Intelligence assist | |
Sensible HDR 3 for pictures | Sensible HDR 4 for pictures |
True Tone flash | New True Tone flash |
Establish paperwork with AI | |
Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E connectivity |
Nano-SIM or eSIM | eSIM solely |
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port (information transfers as much as 5Gbps) | USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (2x quicker with information transfers as much as 10Gbps) |
Helps Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and Apple Pencil (second era) | Helps Apple Pencil (USB‑C) and Apple Pencil Professional |
Apple Pencil hover | |
64GB or 256GB storage | 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage |
Out there in House Grey, Starlight, Purple, and Pink | Out there in House Grey, Starlight, lighter Purple, and Blue |
The seventh-generation iPad mini presents a number of noteworthy upgrades, however whether or not you should purchase the brand new mannequin depends upon your particular wants and the way you intend to make use of your gadget. Essentially the most important change is the transfer to the A17 Professional chip, which brings a notable efficiency increase throughout the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This enchancment is necessary for energy customers who depend on their iPad for demanding duties akin to inventive work or intensive multitasking. The addition of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading additionally enhances graphics efficiency, which is good for cell players.
Apple Intelligence assist is one other main characteristic that introduces a wide selection of AI functionalities akin to notification summaries, writing instruments, picture and emoji era, and a revamped model of Siri that integrates ChatGPT and on-screen consciousness and the power to take motion. This might be transformative for many who use their iPad for productiveness.
The seventh-generation iPad mini additionally features Apple Pencil hover and Apple Pencil Professional assist, providing extra exact management for drawing, writing, and graphic design. These upgrades make the brand new iPad mini significantly engaging for artists and professionals who use the Apple Pencil extensively. The brand new USB-C 3.0 port presents twice the info switch velocity of the sixth-generation iPad mini, making it a significant improve for customers who steadily switch massive information between units.
The improved Sensible HDR 4 for pictures and new True Tone flash enhances digicam efficiency. Whereas not revolutionary, it is a good enchancment for many who use their iPad mini for pictures and doc scanning. Lastly, the recent Blue shade provides a delicate aesthetic replace, however after all, this can be a matter of non-public choice.
When you’re an influence consumer—somebody who depends on their iPad for heavy multitasking, skilled work with the Apple Pencil, or intensive graphics and gaming—the seventh-generation iPad mini’s enhancements in velocity, Apple Intelligence assist, and Pencil assist may make a noticeable distinction to your workflow and justify an improve.
For customers intending to make use of their iPad mini for searching, mild productiveness, streaming, and informal gaming, the enhancements within the seventh era might not really feel as impactful. The core expertise of iPadOS and apps will stay largely the identical, with solely average features in velocity and effectivity. If the sixth-generation iPad mini nonetheless handles all of your wants—particularly if you happen to do not push it to its efficiency limits—the enhancements within the seventh era may not really feel important.
The A15 Bionic chip continues to be greater than succesful for on a regular basis duties, and except you require quicker information transfers, higher Apple Pencil management, or Apple Intelligence for productiveness, the brand new options might not justify the price of upgrading. In case you are one in all these customers and you don’t at present personal an iPad mini, it could be value choosing up a now-discontinued sixth-generation mannequin for a closely discounted worth.