iPad mini 7 evaluation: specs, options, worth

It is human nature to love one thing just because it seems new and totally different, so the iPad mini 7 might come throughout as boring to some. Nevertheless, it’s something however boring because the A17 Professional transforms this little pill into a conveyable gaming powerhouse and Apple Intelligence machine.

The iPad mini 6 was a revolution when it was introduced in 2021. Apple totally redesigned the little pill and gave it the no-button, all-screen makeover the remainder of the lineup had seen.

The brand new design and respectable energy offered by the newest iPhone chipset on the time, the A15 Bionic, made it considered one of Apple’s extra stunning updates. It re-established the shape issue as the perfect iPad-as-a-tablet because it was portrait and handheld first.

Apple added the A17 Professional and nearly nothing else with the iPad mini 7, however Apple wasn’t going to revamp the already redesigned pill so quickly. Nevertheless, after three years with out an replace in any respect, folks have been disenchanted anyway.

I am not, however we’ll get into that in a second.

I’ve seen lots of people upset on the iPad mini 7, stating that it was a lazy improve from Apple. That it ought to have achieved extra — however these cries unilaterally come from tech-obsessed nerds that are likely to chase spec sheets.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: not a professional pill

Positive, an M-series chipset would have been extra fascinating. So would OLED or 120Hz — however that is simply not the iPad mini.

If there’s one factor I’ve realized by being an avid iPad fan, and maybe the largest one throughout the whole AppleInsider employees, it is that Apple sees the iPad as a client gadget first. Professional iPad customers exist, however they’re a distinct segment throughout the already area of interest iPad group, with the bigger person base contemplating smartphones or laptops extra mainstream.

The iPad mini know-how stack is chosen particularly to hit a worth level. For instance, I do not assume Apple may make a compelling $300 iPad mini, nevertheless it may actually pack it with tech and make it value $1,000.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: professional options may trickle down in later generations

The issue with that concept is that it runs into the Mac Professional conundrum. There are folks prepared to pay for absolute energy in that type issue, nevertheless it’s a distinct segment of a distinct segment of a distinct segment. It simply does not make sense for a product just like the iPad mini.

I do consider as know-how will get inexpensive we’ll finally see an iPad mini that we would have known as “professional” at this time. There’s simply no marketplace for an extremely costly tiny pill when most individuals would simply purchase an iPad Professional as an alternative.

There’s an opportunity I am unsuitable and Apple releases an 8-inch iPad Professional in 2025, however I critically doubt it. The closest factor we’d really get to an iPad mini Professional is the legendary Apple foldable — however I believe that too won’t ever really launch.

The excellent news is, in case you’re sad with the iPad mini 7, you do not have to purchase one. That mentioned, I jumped on it in a second as a result of I like this kind issue and three years on the identical battery was beginning to present — A17 Professional is only a bonus.

Apple did not change something concerning the iPad mini 7 externally in addition to the more and more desaturated colours. Pink has been swapped out for blue, however the different colours are the identical area grey, purple, and starlight — if shades lighter.

The iPad mini 7 has an all-screen show, which means it ditched the Residence Button in favor of a Prime Button with Contact ID within the earlier technology. The bezels are a tad massive in comparison with different iPads, nevertheless it works with the hand-held type issue.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: area grey is ever so barely lighter

The amount buttons and Prime Button are all on one aspect, whereas the USB-C port is on the other finish. Speaker grills are reduce on all 4 sides, however the iPad mini helps solely stereo audio system in panorama.

The rear digicam did not change — it is nonetheless 12MP and information 4K video. The front-facing digicam can also be in the identical portrait orientation with the identical 12MP ultra-wide sensor.

Total, the design nonetheless feels recent. There’s simply one thing about this tiny pill that feels excellent within the hand.

The Liquid Retina show is totally unchanged as properly, coming in at 2,266p by 1,488p decision at 326 ppi. It peaks at 500 nits with SDR content material, so it is a bit dim by Apple’s trendy show requirements.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: the show is unchanged

Apple did not make the soar to OLED, ProMotion, or Nano Texture this time round. Whereas some hoped for dramatic adjustments, it simply does not appear possible for this product as I defined on the high.

Jelly scrolling is seemingly nonetheless there, nevertheless it’s simply not one thing I discover, search for, or care about. Trying on the show with slow-motion cameras will present the impact, however that is not how I or anybody will ever view this show.

Apple did one thing to scale back the impact, so in case you did see it earlier than, it is much less pronounced now. I am unsure anybody outdoors of tech reporting even is aware of it is one thing that exists.

I’m not an artist, to place it bluntly. I actually haven’t got a lot enterprise proudly owning Apple Pencil Professional outdoors of straightforward curiosity on the function set and letting my precise artist buddies doodle.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: Hover with the Apple Pencil Professional

Apple included assist for Apple Pencil Professional and all of its options, together with hover. It looks like a magical device, and the haptics and on-screen shadow rendering are nonetheless fantastic on the iPad mini 7.

Supporting the Apple Pencil Professional means dropping assist for the Apple Pencil 2, so do not count on to carry your outdated Pencil with you.

I am very glad that Apple did not wait one other technology to maneuver iPad mini 7 to Apple Pencil Professional. I am now again to having one Apple Pencil that may swap between iPad Professional and iPad mini by attaching it.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: handwriting correction makes issues legible in iPadOS 18

Whereas I am not an artist, I do nonetheless get use out of the Apple Pencil Professional, particularly on iPad mini 7. I like taking handwritten notes or sketching on it.

I actually hope that someday Apple brings Apple Journal to iPad with handwriting assist. I may see utilizing iPad mini to jot down entries going ahead, if that have been an choice.

The A17 Professional was first launched within the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max. It’s the lowest-end chipset able to operating Apple Intelligence and certain a cost-saving selection for Apple.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: run AAA video games like Murderer’s Creed

It is a huge step up from the A15 Professional it replaces not only for AI, however for graphics processing and gaming. The cutoff for Apple’s newest AAA gaming push is coincidentally the A17 Professional as properly, which means titles like Resident Evil 4 might be performed on the iPad mini 7.

This information appeared to fly proper over everybody’s heads as they complained concerning the older chipset and minimal upgrades. I used to be ecstatic.

Positive, the vary of titles stays restricted a 12 months into Apple’s AAA gaming push, nevertheless it will not all the time be the case. A17 Professional has entry to the necessary hardware-accelerated ray tracing that allows video games like Demise Stranding to be potential on iPhone or iPad.

The ability can also be necessary for normal gaming titles, emulation, and different graphics-intensive duties. It ought to imply extra environment friendly efficiency and thus far, it has translated to a a lot cooler gadget.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: sufficiently small for a handheld controller grip

I am reviewing a vice grip controller that matches the iPad mini 7 known as the Abxylute S9 I am going to publish at a later date. It is a wonderful option to reap the benefits of the ability packed into this tiny iPad.

If Apple had gone for a extra highly effective M-series chipset, it may have run into thermal points within the tiny case. I believe that is another excuse an iPhone chipset works greatest for the iPad mini 7.

The A17 Professional additionally was the primary iPhone chipset to assist hardware-accelerated processing of the AV1 format used for YouTube and Netflix. It makes viewing movies on these platforms way more environment friendly and your gadget will not warmth up or drain as a lot battery.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: a greater YouTube and Netflix expertise

Prospects additionally get a greater 128GB beginning storage tier at no further value. There are additionally 256GB and 512GB choices.

Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are additionally included because of transferring to A17 Professional. I might have preferred Wi-Fi 7, however it could’t be helped given it is paired to the SoC.

For those who purchase a mobile mannequin, there is no longer a bodily SIM slot. Like Apple’s different cell merchandise, the iPad mini 7 is eSIM solely.

Apple Intelligence remains to be slowly rolling out, and the primary wave of promised options will not completely be out till someday in 2025. It appears the whole purpose the iPad mini 7 exists is to make sure the product helps AI.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: Apple Intelligence

I’ve written at size about Apple Intelligence because it exists in iPadOS 18.1 and might say it’s nonetheless within the very early days. The restricted options accessible are nonetheless helpful on the iPad mini 7.

Apple emphasised Picture Wand as a major function for the iPad mini paired with Apple Pencil Professional. The Clear Up device in Pictures additionally advantages from the extra exact enter on the big show.

iPadOS 18.2 is in beta, and I am testing these options on the iPad mini 7 as properly. Genmoji and Picture Playground work as anticipated, and quick access to a non-public ChatGPT can also be helpful.

Total, I do not assume folks ought to run out and purchase an iPad mini 7 simply to get Apple Intelligence because it exists at this time. I’m glad it is right here although and am excited about seeing the way it evolves throughout Apple’s ecosystem within the coming months.

The iPad mini 7 does not get Stage Supervisor regardless of having the identical iPadOS 18 as my iPad Professional. The A17 Professional would possible be greater than able to supporting it, even when it solely labored on an exterior show.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: the basic multitasking suits in nice on the tiny show

However no, we’re restricted to the basic full-screen apps, Cut up View, and Slide Over. This interplay paradigm is significantly better fitted to contact, so it is high quality on iPad mini.

No Stage Supervisor means no exterior show assist both. Now, that is the true crime right here, as a result of I would like to have an iPad mini that would abruptly change into a 24-inch desktop over Thunderbolt.

That is getting again to the area of interest of a distinct segment I mentioned earlier than, however that does not make it any much less a cool idea. For now, I am going to persist with iPad mini 7 as an iPad — and it is actually good at that.

The iPad mini 7 is an odd side ratio in comparison with different iPads, so iPadOS provides it numerous padding. For instance, the Residence Display screen is deeply inset into the gadget, sufficient so a complete two rows of icons could possibly be added.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: loads of padding within the App Library

The impact might be seen in numerous apps or within the App Library. It simply feels unoptimized and a bit of lazy contemplating Apple is often nice at mixing software program and {hardware}.

Some apps have gotten higher with time, like Apple Information. Auto format does its greatest, however does not all the time get issues proper with button placement or group.

One of many funniest examples might not even be a difficulty with the iPad mini 7, however I am unable to assist however embody it. When utilizing Apple Music in panorama, the album paintings turns into a 1.5-inch sq..

Apple Music’s paintings scaling has all the time been odd, however this feels particularly egregious since it is the default format on the iPad mini. It simply feels damaged with all that area round all of the tiny icons. Absolutely Apple may ship one thing extra optimized.

I am the man that works from an iPad Professional full time, so I would argue the 13-inch iPad Professional is the perfect total iPad, in fact. It is even wonderful within the hand, however its dimension makes it much less moveable.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: a palmable pill

The vary of close-to-11-inch iPads is way more moveable and works nice as handheld tablets, however they nonetheless journey that line of being too huge in some conditions or higher in a keyboard. The iPad mini suits in wherever an iPhone would possibly, nevertheless it has a much bigger show and is well held in hand for hours.

There’s one thing magical concerning the 8.3-inch type issue that makes it really feel just like the Goldilocks pill. It suits in lots of pockets, works with an Apple Pencil, however by no means makes your wrist really feel drained or sore.

The unique iPad had a 9.7-inch show surrounded by these hilariously massive bezels. It was Steve Jobs‘ imaginative and prescient of the way forward for computing — one thing you held within the hand in portrait orientation whereas studying. Even the Apple keyboard on the time sat it in portrait.

The iPad has change into extra versatile in its position because the bare robotic core over time. Apple retains introducing new equipment or options that make it way more than a easy pill.

iPad mini 7 evaluation: a miniature bare robotic core

Nevertheless, the iPad mini 7 holds onto that unique excellent as a consumption product. It may be remodeled like different iPads, however into extra fun-leaning units like a handheld recreation console, moveable TV, or sketchpad.

Including an A17 Professional to the iPad mini may not be essentially the most thrilling replace on the planet, nevertheless it reinforces Apple’s dedication to the tiny pill. For those who’re as huge an iPad mini person as I have been, chances are high you want a refreshed battery too.

So, whether or not you are a first-time purchaser or an upgrader, you are getting a robust little pill able to enjoying AAA titles included in Apple’s newest gaming push and operating Apple Intelligence. It’s a good stopgap till extra applied sciences change into inexpensive and roll down into the inevitable iPad mini 8.

• Perfected type issue
• Apple Pencil Professional assist
• A17 Professional brings many computational upgrades from gaming to AI
• Cooler, extra environment friendly operations

• Unoptimized iPadOS
• No M-series chip means no Stage Supervisor or exterior monitor assist
• Much less saturated shade choices
• A17 Professional means no Wi-Fi 7

I would truthfully be prepared to provide the iPad mini 7 a 5 out of 5 if it had debuted in 2023 with this chipset and jelly scrolling repair. Ready three years to supply simply a chipset improve is disappointing to the bigger buy base, even when I am high quality with it.

This actually is the proper pill, nevertheless it has room to develop. Apple could have an opportunity to actually wow us with one other tiny pill in about 2027.

Apple’s iPad mini 7 is on sale now, with retailers competing for your small business with money financial savings and coupon reductions that may be present in our iPad mini 7 Worth Information.

It’s also possible to take a look at our roundup of the high iPad offers throughout the vary, which is up to date all through the week.