Highlights
- Apple introduces a new iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip.
- iPad Mini price starts at $499 for the 128GB model.
- Ships with iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence features arriving in iOS 18.1.
- Available in Wi-Fi and cellular versions.
Apple has just announced the new-generation iPad mini powered by the same A17 Pro chip. The latest iPad Mini will bring a host of Apple Intelligence features to iPads and will also support Apple Pencil Pro. One of the biggest upgrades with the latest iPad Mini is its 128 GB storage. Here’s everything we know about the latest launch.
“There is no other device in the world like iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design. iPad mini appeals to a wide range of users and has been built for Apple Intelligence, delivering intelligent new features that are powerful, personal, and private,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “With the powerful A17 Pro chip, faster connectivity, and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the new iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience in our most portable design at an incredible value.”
Pricing and Availability
The new iPad mini price starts at $499 (Approx INR 42,000) for the 128GB model. This storage is twice the storage configuration of its predecessor at the same price.
Moreover, the newly launched device is available in two variants, Wi-Fi and cellular. The price starts at $499 (Approx INR 42,000) for 128GB and $649 (Approx INR 55,000) for the cellular model. Users can configure the device with up to 512GB of storage.
Customers can place their pre-orders now. Apple is expected to start deliveries starting on October 23.
| Model | Storage | Price |
|
iPad mini (Wi-Fi only)
|
128GB | Rs 44,900 |
| 256GB | Rs 59,900 | |
| 512GB | Rs 79,900 | |
|
iPad mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
|
128GB | Rs 64,900 |
| 256GB | Rs 74,900 | |
| 512GB | Rs 94,900 |
iPad Mini 7 – Price Ranking by Country
Nukeni a research company has released a price-by-country ranking for the recently launched iPad mini 7. According to the long list, here are 10 countries where the iPad mini 7 costs the least:
- Hong Kong: $489
- United States: $499
- Malaysia: $510
- Canada: $517
- Taiwan: $525
- Japan: $528
- Singapore: $534
- Australia: $537
- Thailand: $538
- South Korea: $550
As for where the iPad Mini costs the most, Brazil tops the ranking. The base iPad mini model in Brazil costs $1,063, which is almost double the US price. Turkey got the second place with a starting price of $701.
iPad Mini 7 – Key Features
- 3-inch Liquid Retina (2266 x 1488) Display
- A17 Pro Chipset
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB Storage options
- 12MP Wide camera with f/1.8 aperture
- 12MP selfie camera
- Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Gray colour options
- Wi-Fi 6E, 5G
- 69 x 5.30 x 0.25 inches Dimensions
- 65 Pounds Weight
iPad Mini – Performance Boost with A17 Pro
iPad Mini features an A17 Pro chip, which enables the Apple Intelligence features in the device.
Apart from that, the A17 Pro chip delivers significant improvements in speed and performance. It’s up to 30% faster than the A15 Bionic chip found in the previous iPad mini.
The GPU has also been upgraded offering a 25% speed boost. With the new chip, the USB-C port now supports USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
Moreover, the iPad mini has also been upgraded to support faster Wi-Fi 6E for better wireless connectivity.
iPad Mini – Design and New Features
The design of the newly launched iPad mini looks very similar to the previous model. However, you have some additional colour options to choose from including blue and purple.
An interesting new feature is the magnetic charging spot on the side. This allows the Apple Pencil Pro to attach, pair and charge wirelessly.
The iPad mini also works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). It can be charged through the USB-C port using a cable.
On the rear of the new iPad mini, you’ll find a simple 12MP wide camera with an ƒ/1.8 aperture. Users would also be able to capture 4K video at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps. Slo-mo video is available at up to 240fps as well.
As for the front camera, iPad Mini 7 has a 12MP ultra-wide camera with an ƒ/2.4 aperture.
iPad Mini – Software and Apple Intelligence
The newly launched iPad Mini comes with iOS 18 out of the box. Now, we all know iOS 18 doesn’t come with any Apple Intelligence features.
However, users would be able to get Apple Intelligence basic features like the Writing Tool and the Reduce Interruptions focus mode with the later iOS 18.1 update. It is expected to be released by the end of October.
Apple October Event Uncertain
A recent 9to5Mac report has hinted Apple’s October event might just not happen after all.
Apple usually launched new iPhones and Apple Watch models in September and Mac with a potential iPad in October. Based on this tradition, everyone was expecting an update on the October event soon.
The rumoured products expected to launch in the October event included the M4 MacBook Pro, the M4 Mac mini, the M4 iMac and the iPad mini.
However, Apple today unveiled a new iPad mini with Apple Intelligence support. With this announcement, the chances of Apple hosting an event in October just look slim now.
This is mainly because now iPad Mini is already out and with what we know about the M4 Macs, there’s not much to announce anyway. The MacBook Pros too aren’t getting redesigned. These most likely will get a new chip and some minor upgrades. The M4 iMac is expected to get new USB-C accessories.
With so less to announce, the 9ToMac report suggests that Apple might unveil the remaining expected products with a simple press release only.
Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen) specifications
| Display | 8.3-inch (2266 x 1488 pixels) Retina display, P3 Color Gamut, 500 nits brightness, 326 PPI, True Tone display |
| Processor | Six-Core A17 Pro (3nm) chip, 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores, 64-bit architecture, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB variants |
| Operating System | iPadOS 18 |
| Rear Camera | 12MP camera with f/1.8 aperture, 5P lens, True Tone flash |
| Front Camera | 12MP 122° Ultra Wide front camera, f/2.4 aperture, Retina Flash |
| Audio | Dual microphones for calls, Stereo speakers |
| Security | Touch ID |
| Dimensions and Weight | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm, 293g (Wi-Fi) / 297g (5G) |
| Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz), Gigabit-class LTE, 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS/GNSS, USB 3 (up to 10 Gbps) |
| Battery | 19.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, Up to 10 hours of web surfing, video watching, or music listening on Wi-Fi |
| iPad mini (2024) | |
|---|---|
| Pricing | from $499 |
| Display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina (2266 x 1488) |
| Chipset | A17 Pro |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Cameras | 12MP Wide camera with f/1.8 aperture, 12MP selfie camera |
| Colors | Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Gray |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, 5G |
| Dimensions | 7.69 x 5.30 x 0.25 inches |
| Weight | 0.65 pounds |
FAQs
Q1. What chip powers the new iPad mini?
Answer. The new iPad mini is powered by the A17 Pro chip, the same chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro.
Q2. When will the new iPad mini be available for delivery?
Answer. Deliveries for the new iPad mini will begin on October 23.
Q3. What is the starting price and storage for the new iPad mini?
Answer. The new iPad mini starts at $499 for the 128GB model.
Q4. What are the performance improvements in the new iPad mini?
Answer. The A17 Pro chip delivers up to 30% faster speed compared to the A15 Bionic chip, with a 25% speed boost in the GPU, and supports USB 3 speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
Q5. What new features are included in the iPad mini’s design?
Answer. The new iPad mini features a magnetic charging area for the Apple Pencil Pro, support for faster Wi-Fi 6E, and comes in additional colours including blue and purple.
Q6.What are the new features with the iPad mini 7 ?
Answer. The new features with the iPad mini 7 are :-
A17 Pro chip: Introduced in the iPhone 15 Pro models last year, the A17 Pro chip is now available in the iPad mini 7, although it has a 5-core GPU instead of a 6-core GPU. Apple says the iPad mini 7 offers up to 30% faster CPU performance compared to the previous iPad mini with the A15 Bionic chip.
Apple Intelligence support: The new iPad mini is compatible with Apple Intelligence, which will be available starting with iPadOS 18.1 later this month.
Apple Pencil Pro support: The new iPad mini is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
Apple Pencil hover: This feature lets you preview the Apple Pencil’s stroke on the canvas before the accessory touches the screen.
Faster USB-C port: The USB-C port on the iPad mini 7 supports data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, compared to 5 Gbps for the iPad mini 6.
eSIM only: All cellular models of the iPad mini 7 lack a nano-SIM card slot worldwide and instead rely solely on digital eSIM technology.
Wi-Fi 6E support: The new iPad mini supports the faster Wi-Fi 6E standard, which extends the capabilities of regular Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz band. You will also need a router with Wi-Fi 6E support.
Double the base storage: iPad mini now starts with 128GB of storage, compared to 64GB for the previous model.
Improved HDR photos: The new iPad mini supports “Smart HDR 4,” whereas the previous model supports “Smart HDR 3.” Apple says Smart HDR 4 makes photos look “even more detailed and vivid.”
“iPad mini” inscription: The new iPad mini has an “iPad mini” inscription on the back of device. Previous models of the device are inscribed with “iPad.”
Apple began accepting orders for the iPad mini 7 today, and the device launches October 23.
Also Read: Apple’s A17 Pro Chipset: Revolutionising Mobile Graphics and Performance