This week Apple finally announced the iPad mini 7. I couldn’t be happier.
I’m a big fan of the iPad mini 6, and the latest version adds some improvements I’ve been looking forward to. On top of that, Apple’s upcoming small tablet will also come with nice bonus features like Apple Intelligence support.
Even if the iPad mini 7 isn’t a revolutionary update, based on what we know so far, this refreshed model could be one of the best iPads ever. Here are five reasons I’m excited about the iPad mini 7.
More storage for the same price
One of my biggest complaints about the iPad mini 6 is its meager 64GB of storage. Therefore, you should always be aware of what you download to avoid unexpectedly running out of space. The iPad mini 7 has a generous 128GB, so this isn’t much of an issue.
With 128 GB, you’ll be able to store more videos, podcasts, comic books, and even some video games. And the best part is that even with twice the storage capacity, iPad mini 7 maintains the same starting price of $499 as its predecessor. In my opinion, it’s a win-win.
A17 professional performance
The iPad mini 7 has been significantly upgraded with the A17 Pro inside. This is the same chip that powers the iPhone 15 Pro Max, so the iPad mini 7 should have the best performance.
The A17 Pro’s GPU is up to 20% faster than previous models, so games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage should run great on this tablet. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing support and custom shader architecture also help make your game look its best. The best iPad games optimized for A17 Pro look and run better than iPad mini 6.
I don’t play a lot of games on my iPad, but it’s nice to have the option to play games with the best possible performance and graphics on such a small device. And beyond gaming, flipping through comic book pages and websites should be noticeably faster on Apple’s new tablet.
apple intelligence
Thanks to A17 Pro, iPad mini 7 supports all Apple Intelligence features introduced in iPadOS 18. This includes writing tools to generate or edit text, and photo upgrades that use AI to touch up and edit your favorite photos. More intelligent Siri is now available on iPad mini 7.
Features like on-device image generation aren’t available yet (and aren’t included in the current iPadOS 18.1 beta), but you’ll definitely be able to take advantage of iPadOS 18’s favorite Apple Intelligence feature, the Writing Tools . We don’t know how much we’ll be able to leverage Apple Intelligence in the long run, but we do know that the iPad mini 7 will (or should) have most, if not all, of the upcoming features. I’m happy.
Apple Pencil Pro support
iPad mini 7 supports the new Apple Pencil Pro. This is perfect for people who love drawing and writing on their iPad.
This updated Apple stylus has haptic feedback and supports squeeze and barrel roll gestures. Squeeze lets you open palettes, edit or redo things, and run system shortcuts. Barrel rolls are especially great because they allow you to rotate the pencil and have more precise control over the brush and pen tools. Both of these features are intended to make using Apple Pencil Pro easier and more intuitive.
Even though I’m not an artist and prefer to write on a good mechanical keyboard instead of by hand, I love the Apple Pencil Pro because of the features I mentioned above. I’m looking forward to seeing how well Apple’s latest stylus works with the iPad mini 7.
Same portable design
From what we know, the iPad mini 7 has the same design as the iPad mini 6. Some may have been hoping for a redesign, but I’m glad Apple seemingly kept it the same. After all, you don’t want to mess up perfection.
Thanks to its lightweight design, iPad mini 6 is the ideal iPad to take with you on your travels. It’s also great for reading comics, especially comics. Tablets also don’t take up much space on your table or desk, even if you want to watch YouTube while eating dinner. We look forward to all of these experiences with the new iPad mini 7.
outlook
The iPad mini 7 doesn’t offer any groundbreaking upgrades from its predecessor. In fact, if you’re happy with your iPad mini 6, you may not need to upgrade, especially if you’re not interested in features like Apple Intelligence.
Still, the combination of Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro support, faster performance, and more storage space might be enough to convince some people. I’m certainly excited about this update.
