The new iPad mini that Apple announced last week hit the shelves yesterday, and while after three long years it’s really a small update rather than a major reinvention, it’s still got some pretty useful updates, and the most important feature: it’s built to be Apple Intelligence-ready.
As Endgadget reports, what’s new here can be summed up quickly: more storage, support for the Apple Pencil Pro and, most crucially, it packs a more powerful chip. The A17 Pro Chip allows the iPad mini to use Apple Intelligence features when they launch later this month, which is probably why this tablet exists at all. Apple clearly wants to get as many people as possible using these features, and now every iPad the company sells (except for the entry-level model) will work with Apple Intelligence. Of course, that makes fully evaluating the iPad mini tough, because Apple Intelligence isn’t here yet.
As TechRadar reports, that new chip isn’t the only new feature for the 8.3-inch tablet. Apple has announced two new colors – blue and purple – alongside starlight and space gray – and has beefed up the storage options.
The mini 7 starts with 128GB storage, and there are now 256GB and 512GB options, too. Naturally, it also runs the latest iPadOS 18. You can pre-order the iPad mini 7 from today, with pricing starting at $499 / £499 / AU$799 (for the Wi-Fi model) and $649 / £649 / AU$1,049 for the Wi-Fi and Cellular model.
Another big bonus for the mini 7 is that it supports the Apple Pencil Pro, making it a tempting little digital notebook for creatives. Apple says that the A17 Pro chip – which debuted in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max – doubles the speed of the tablet’s Neural Engine compared to the mini 6 and delivers a faster CPU and GPU. Like before, the iPad mini 7 has a 12MP rear camera, but this time, it’s been upgraded to Smart HDR 4 processing. There’s also now support for Wi-Fi 6E for speedier wireless connectivity.
But the biggest software boosts will come from that Apple Intelligence support, which will be landing fully “later this month” in the US. That includes new AI-powered writing tools in apps like Mail, Notes and third-party apps, plus imaging tricks like Apple’s Clean Up tool.
A mini isn’t really a replacement for a full-sized iPad, but it doesn’t look like Apple will be releasing those until well into 2025. However, according to Endgadget, if you just want a little couch computing companion, or a tablet so small and light that you can take it everywhere with you, the iPad mini remains your best choice, and it’s a solid performer for $499. Better still, you can finally order one now from the Apple Store.
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