Summary
Apple’s iPad mini is among the most widely used iPads currently available on the market. Due to its small size, it is the most suitable iPad for reading, traveling, taking notes, and other activities. The fact that it is so compact and inexpensive, on the other hand, prevents it from receiving regular upgrades and interesting new features. Consequently, we have not received a new iPad mini since the latter half of the year 2021, which is over three years!
Finally, however, the rumor mill is beginning to spin when it comes to a fresh new iPad mini 7, which may be anticipated as early as the end of the year 2024. On the other hand, what new features will be included in this iPad mini, and how much will it cost? When exactly will the announcement be made?
The iPad mini is the smallest and lightest tablet in the Apple lineup, as was previously said. It is also the smallest tablet overall. In 2021, it received a significant update that included a new design, the A15 Bionic chip, 5G, and other features. In the evaluation that we conducted for the iPad Mini 6, we praised its design, cameras, and compact factor, as well as its USB-C connector, which is of critical importance. Nevertheless, the apparatus is not devoid of shortcomings. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the iPad Mini 6 is plagued by a persistent display problem that has been called “jelly-scrolling,” which significantly diminishes the quality of the user experience. There are claims that Apple is taking some efforts to ease the display problem with the next version of the iPad mini 7, and fixing that display issue must be Apple’s number one priority with the next iPad mini 7.
In addition to that, it is expected that the iPad Mini 7 will be a very subdued affair. According to a report that was published by Bloomberg in May 2024, analyst Mark Gurman asserts that Apple’s iPad mini “won’t include much more than a process upgrade.” The A15 Bionic processor seen in the iPhone 13 is included in the existing models. In the year 2024, it is anticipated that Apple will introduce a new M3 iPad Pro and an iPad Air 6 with M2. In the event that this is the case, the iPad mini 7 seems to be a strong contender for the M1 chip, which was released in the year 2020. In addition to that, there are a great many enhancements and modifications that we would be delighted to see. In addition to that, it has a landscape front-facing camera, updated bezels that are slimmer, and more. Everything that we know about the iPad Mini 7 is presented here. There have been rumors that Apple is working on the iPad mini 7, which is expected to be released before the end of the year. This suggests that we may not have to wait too much longer for Apple’s next big thing in the tiny device market.
iPad mini 7 2024: Release date rumors
Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known analyst, indicated in December 2022 that Apple was working on an iPad mini and that it would be released either at the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024. However, there has been no new iPad mini released since Kuo made his statement. It has been stated that Apple is preparing to unveil a new OLED iPad Pro with M3 as well as a new iPad Air 6 in the month of May 2024. On the other hand, it is quite probable that we will have to wait a little bit longer for the iPad Mini 7.
Mark Gurman, a distinguished insider, is the source of our latest and most accurate information. He has stated that Apple is currently working on the iPad mini in addition to the new iPad 11, but that none of these products will likely be available until the end of 2024 “at the earliest.” Therefore, a debut of the new iPad mini in the autumn is a possibility; nevertheless, you should not rule out the possibility of it occurring in the early years of 2025.
iPad mini 7 2024: Rumored new characteristics
Given that the most recent upgrade for the iPad mini was a significant one, it is quite improbable that the iPad mini 7 will be nearly as revolutionary. Rather, it is more likely to be an update that is iterative in nature. According to a story that was published by Bloomerg in May, the next iPad mini 7 “won’t include much more than a processor upgrade.”
On the other hand, there are a few aspects that we are really optimistic about. What we are considering is as follows:.
Intelligent Connector:
The smaller iPad versions do not include a smart connector, in contrast to the larger iPad models. Bringing Apple’s feature set in line would be accomplished if the company were to include one in the subsequent iPad mini. With such a connection, you would be able to connect a keyboard in the same way as you can attach a keyboard to an iPad Pro or an iPad 10th generation. You may also anticipate seeing unique attachments that will broaden your choices in the event that this occurs.
A new processor is
The iPad mini might potentially go with the CPU in a few different ways, depending on the circumstances. According to the Ming-Chi Kuo article, we have a feeling that the CPU is going to be the most significant component of the upgrade. This is something that we have suspected. To put it another way, it may go in a few different directions.
The first potential solution is the simplest one, which involves inserting the equivalent of the phone chip at the time into the tablet. It’s possible that this refers to the A18 of the future iPhone 16.
In addition, there is the possibility that the iPad mini will have an M1 processor. If this were to occur, it would be a scaled-down version of the iPad Air, which would make it possible to make use of a greater number of features. For example, it may make Stage Manager feasible, which is something that is now only truly seen on the iPad Pro and Air for the most part. It would be far more powerful than some people may anticipate it to be.
Another choice is also available to you. @frontron, a user on Twitter, uploaded a debate from a Korean site that said the CPU that is included in the iPad mini 7 may be an upgraded version of the A15 chip rather than anything completely new. The result of this would be that the iPhone processor, which is somewhat less powerful than the one found in the iPad Mini 6, would be replaced with a clock speed that is increased to 3.23 GHz. This would make sense as a cost-cutting move; nonetheless, it is important to take this report with a grain of salt since, despite the fact that FrontTron is trustworthy, his source could not be.
It doesn’t matter what occurs; we are certain that the CPU is going to be the most significant improvement for the iPad Mini 7.
The new layout is:
As a result of the significant redesign that was implemented for the iPad Mini 6, it is very unlikely that the tablet’s outer look would undergo any kind of modification. There is a greater possibility of a variety of new hues. The most recent iPad, the 10th generation, is available in a variety of bright colors, including yellow, and it is possible that the next iPad mini may also appear in this color. In light of the fact that leaks about the iPhone 15 Pro reveal a new deep red hue that is similar to wine, it is possible that the iPad Mini 7 will also be offered in this color scheme.
All new screens:
The jelly scrolling feature that was included with the screen of the previous iPad Mini 6 was one of the most significant issues with that device. Users discovered that while scrolling on the iPad Mini 6, there was a little delay on the screen, which resulted in a wobbling effect that was comparable to that of jelly being produced. The reason for this is because the LED screen has a high refresh rate.
Reportedly, Apple will not upgrade the iPad Mini 7 to a 120Hz ProMotion display. This information comes from many sources. It is anticipated that Apple will instead rotate the display materials in order to reduce the amount of jelly scrolling that occurs when the device is in portrait mode.
iPad Mini 7: Price
Due to the fact that the iPad Mini 6 is much more expensive than the iPad Mini 5, it is quite improbable that the iPad Mini 7 would see a significant price hike. When Apple undergoes a significant redesign, such as with the iPad 10th generation, the company often raises prices by a significant amount. In general, iterative updates have costs that are comparable to those of the prior model.
In the event that this occurs, the iPad mini 7 would have a starting price of about $499, with variations for the cellular version and more storage space.
Apple Pencil
The iPad mini 5 of the previous generation was compatible with the Apple Pencil of the first generation. However, the iPad mini 6 of the most recent generation is compatible with the Apple Pencil of the second generation, which is also compatible with the iPad Air and the iPad Pro.
The Apple Pencil 2 is able to connect to the iPad mini 6 and begin charging while it is linked to the tablet thanks to a magnetic strip that is located on the side of the device.
Bionic Chip Model A15
The iPad mini 6 is outfitted with the same 6-core A15 CPU that is found in the iPhone 13 models; however, the speed of this chip has been lowered to 2.9GHz, which is lower than the 3.2GHz rates that are readily accessible in the iPhone 13 series.
In terms of central processing unit (CPU) speed, the iPad mini is around two to eight percent slower than the iPhone 13 due to the use of a downclocked processor. From the results of the Geekbench tests, the iPad mini 6 gets an average score of 1,595 for its single-core performance and 4,540 for its multi-core performance. The iPhone 13 has an average score of 1,730 for its single-core performance and 4,660 for its multi-core performance.
Despite the fact that the processor is not as quick as the one found in the iPhone 13, it is much more powerful than the one found in the iPad mini from the previous generation. A comparison between the A12 in the previous generation of iPad mini 5 and the A12 in the iPad mini 6 reveals that the latter delivers up to forty percent faster single-core performance and seventy percent faster multi-core performance.
One variant of the A15 processor has a graphics processing unit (GPU) with four cores, while the other variant has five cores. The iPad mini is equipped with the 5-core version of the CPU, which is the same chip that is used in the iPhone 13 Pro models, which is both quicker and more powerful. When compared to the iPad mini of the previous generation, the graphics performance of the iPad mini 6 is eighty percent quicker.
Neuronal Processor
With the help of the image signal processor, the 16-core Neural Engine included in the A15 is able to carry out up to 15.8 trillion operations per second. Additionally, it is responsible for powering features such as Cinematic Mode and Smart HDR 3.
rams
Since the previous iteration of the iPad mini only had 3GB of RAM, the redesigned iPad mini now includes 4GB of RAM. In the iPad Air, the quantity of random-access memory (RAM) that is accessible is the same.
Space for Storing
The iPad mini comes with 64 gigabytes of storage pre-installed, and there is an upgrade option for 256 gigabytes. It does not come in a 128GB variant.
Camera in the Back
A single 12-megapixel wide-angle rear-facing camera with a digital zoom up to 5x, a five-element lens, and a quad-LED True Tone flash are all integral components of the iPad mini 6, which has a single Ò/1.8 aperture. It is a camera that is sufficient, and it is the same camera that comes with the iPad Air; nevertheless, it is not as sophisticated as the cameras that are utilized in the iPhone 13 range or the iPad Pro.
There is compatibility for the majority of the contemporary camera capabilities that Apple offers, including panoramas, Burst Mode, Smart HDR 3, Live Photos, autofocus with Focus Pixels, broad color capture, auto image stabilization, and a number of other characteristics.
In addition to slow-motion video, which can be recorded at either 120 or 240 frames per second, 4K video may be recorded at 24, 25, 30, or 60 frames per second. In addition, the iPad mini is capable of recording in 1080p at either 30 or 60 frames per second, and it is also capable of supporting continuous autofocus, cinematic video stabilization, and time-lapse video alongside stabilization.
a camera that faces the front and center stage
There is also a FaceTime HD camera that is located on the front of the device, and it has an aperture of Ò/2.4 and a field of view of 122 degrees. Additionally, the front-facing camera supports Center Stage, a FaceTime feature that Apple first made available with the iPad Pro. The back camera is equipped with the same characteristics as the front-facing camera.
Whenever you are participating in a FaceTime video chat, Center Stage will ensure that you remain in sharp focus and that you are precisely framed. The wide-angle front-facing camera captures a greater portion of the space that you are in, while the A15 is designed to maintain your position at the forefront of the frame even as you move about.
In the event that more than one person is taking part in the call, the camera will zoom out in an effort to ensure that all of the participants are seen and that they are included in the conversational exchange. In spite of the fact that it was developed with FaceTime in mind, Center Stage is compatible with other third-party video applications, such as Zoom.
Lifespan of the Battery
The iPad mini 6 comes with a battery that has a capacity of 19.3 watt-hours, which is the same capability as the battery that was included in the iPad mini of the previous generation.
Apple claims that the battery may last for up to ten hours when being used for activities like as viewing videos or browsing the web via WiFi. On the other hand, cellular versions can only survive for up to nine hours while using a cellular connection to access the web.
Interconnections
A 5G chip is included in the sixth-generation iPad mini, which enables it to connect to 5G networks. However, in contrast to the 5G iPhone models that are available in the United States, the iPad mini does not support the mmWave 5G networks that are much faster. On the other hand, it is restricted to the slower but more prevalent sub-6 GHz networks.
The mmWave 5G networks are the fastest 5G networks; however, since mmWave is short-range and may be blocked by buildings, trees, and other obstructions, their application is restricted to big cities and metropolitan regions, as well as events such as concerts, airports, and other locations where a large number of people gather.
Sub-6GHz 5G is now much more generally accessible and may be found in urban, suburban, and rural locations throughout the United States of America and other nations. The majority of the time, when you utilize a 5G network, you will be utilizing sub-6 GHz 5G. However, at this point in time, mmWave connection will not be missed either due of its restricted availability.
Models of the iPad mini 6 that are compatible with cellular networks include the following bands: n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n71, n77, n78, and n79.
LTE connection is also available, and the iPad mini is compatible with FDD-LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 66, and 71. Additionally, it is compatible with TD-LTE bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, and 48.
Utilizing the nano-SIM slot or eSIM capabilities is possible for iPad mini owners who have a cellular model.
Bluetooth as well as WiFi
Bluetooth 5.0 and 802.11ax WiFi 6 are both technologies that are supported by the iPad mini 6.
More Characteristics
A three-axis gyroscope, an accelerometer, a barometer, and a sensor that detects ambient light are all included in the devices that come with the iPad mini.
A Guide to Purchasing
In addition to the Apple retail shops, the iPad mini is also available for purchase via the Apple Store online. It is possible to get the 64GB iPad mini for $499, while the 256GB variant can be purchased for $649.
At a price of $649, the WiFi and Cellular variant with 64GB of storage is available, while the WiFi and Cellular model with 256GB of storage can be purchased for $799.
Beginning in January 2020, Apple will periodically make available from its refurbished shop iPad mini 5 units that are available at a reduced price. There is a variation in the availability of various capacities and colors depending on the stock that is available. Models of the iPad mini 6 that have been refurbished are not currently available.
A Buyer’s Guide for iPads
If you are attempting to choose which iPad is the best choice for you out of the current tablet lineup that Apple has available, be sure to check out our iPad Buyer’s Guide. This guide will walk you through each of the available options and assist you in determining which iPad will best match your individual requirements.
For the iPad mini, what’s in store next?
Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for Apple, and Mark Gurman, a reporter for Bloomberg, are both of the opinion that Apple is now working on a new version of the iPad mini. With the exception of the iPad mini, which is not going to get an upgrade until later in the year, new iPad Pro and iPad Air models are anticipated to be released in the month of May 2024.
We anticipate that the seventh-generation iPad mini will get an upgrade that will have a speedier CPU, most likely the A17 Pro or a variation of the A17 microprocessor. Support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, both of which are standards that Apple has been adding to recent product upgrades, would likely be included in the tablet as well. Additionally, updated front and back cameras with a resolution of 12 megapixels will be included.
There is no information available on the colors that Apple will choose for the next iPhone, which is the only other new feature that we could see in addition to the internal advancements.
It has been said that the iPad Mini 7 will have a rotated screen assembly. This new placement will reportedly reduce the “jelly scrolling” sensation, which is something that some users of the iPad mini have expressed dissatisfaction with. When referring to screen tearing, the term “jelly scrolling” is used to describe the phenomenon in which text or pictures on one side of the display seem to be inclined downward due to mismatched refresh rates. According to Apple, the behavior of LCD iPads ripping the screen is considered to be typical.
Apple is said to be intending to extend OLED screens to the iPad mini in the future, after the introduction of OLED technology to the iPad Pro in the following year. It’s possible that Apple may release an iPad mini with an OLED display that measures 8.3 inches as early as 2026.
It is said that Apple is now working on a foldable tablet that will be around 7 to 8 inches in size and will eventually be able to replace Apple’s iPad mini, which is 8.3 inches in size. It is speculated that Apple intends to introduce the smartphone somewhere between the years 2026 and 2027.
When will the iPad Pro (2024) be released?
Due to the fact that Apple has been somewhat inconsistent with the release timetable of the iPad Pro, it is currently unknown when the next one will be released. The dates of the prior releases are as follows:
- 1st-generation: November 11, 2015
- 2nd-generation: June 13, 2017
- 3rd-generation: November 7, 2018
- 4th-generation: March 25, 2020
- 5th-generation: May 21, 2022
- 6th-generation: October 26, 2022
Due to the fact that it is difficult to determine whether or not we are “due” for the next model, it is also difficult to forecast when the model will be introduced. However, we do have some rumors.
In the beginning, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg predicted that Apple will not reveal the new iPad Pro until the spring or summer of 2024. However, he has since revised his prediction and now believes that we will not see them until the beginning of May. Depending on the circumstances, it might be the launch or just the announcement, but Gurman.
Should you buy an iPad mini?
A slim-bezelled design, the A15 Bionic processor, a USB-C connector, and compatibility for the Apple Pencil 2 are some of the features that are included in the most recent version of the iPad mini, which is Apple’s smallest tablet gadget.
The iPad mini is one of the oldest iPads in Apple’s lineup, having been released in September 2021. It is also getting close to the conclusion of its product cycle, which means that it is becoming older. Although it seems that Apple does not update the iPad mini on a regular basis, it may take up to two and a half years between improvements; nonetheless, a new model is anticipated to be released in the latter part of 2024. Considering that the iPad mini has been around for 18 months and that a new model is scheduled to be released this year, those who are interested in purchasing the most recent hardware should wait until a refresh is released before making a purchase.
With the upcoming iPad mini refresh, we do not anticipate any significant design changes to be released. Instead, we anticipate that Apple will likely concentrate on delivering a new processor and maybe making some other small adjustments to the camera for the next update. Because of this, if you are in need of an iPad mini right now and are not concerned with having the most recent technology, now is still a good time to spend your money on one.
The iPad mini is Apple’s smallest iPad, and it is designed for customers who desire features such as an all-screen design and USB-C in the most compact form factor. However, consumers who are searching for a choice that is more economical should choose the ninth-generation iPad. With a starting price of $329, the iPad delivers many of the features that are available on the iPad mini, such as Touch ID and Center Stage, but at a price that is more affordable while still maintaining its functionality.
In contrast, the 10th-generation iPad, which costs $459, and the iPad Air, which costs $599, are also options for those who want an iPad with a bigger display. A Smart Connector is located on the back of the iPad Air, which allows it to connect to keyboard covers. Additionally, the iPad Air’s bigger display, which measures 10.9 inches, is more suitable for productivity activities and media consumption.
The features that we want to see included with the iPad mini 7
The iPad mini continues to be one of our favorite tablets in the iPad series, and it is abundantly clear that it is worthy of its position as one of the greatest iPads. The rumors that circulate about what could occur next simply serve to increase our anticipation for an update. And in the meantime, if you are seeking an iPad that has just been introduced, the finest iPad discounts might be of assistance to you.
What is the best time for me to update my iPad mini?
Even if we do not yet know when the new iPad mini will be released, it is possible that it will be worthwhile to wait yet. It makes perfect sense to hold fire, given the timing. At least for a couple of more months in the event that anything happens in October.
On the other hand, you may go for an iPad Air, despite the fact that you will not be able to take advantage of its more compact size. Despite the fact that it is larger, the iPad Pro offers a higher level of processing capability. In the event that you are in severe need of a little pill, it could be worthwhile to wait.
Does the iPad Mini 7 have the capability to charge wirelessly?
Given that almost all of the new technology that Apple has released has the capability of wireless charging, it is quite probable that the iPad Mini 7 will also have this feature.
Should I wait until the 7, or should I get an iPad Mini 6 right now?
Despite the fact that the iPad Mini 6 is still available for purchase at the present, if you are interested in purchasing the most recent model, you should hold off until the iPad Mini 7 is introduced. Since it seems that it will be released later this year, you won’t have to wait too much longer to get rid of your iPad.
It goes without saying that if you are looking to save money, now is an excellent time to get an iPad Mini 6, as the costs are now becoming more affordable. There is a possibility that those prices may fall even more throughout the course of the year; thus, it is important to keep a close check on them.
