Apple has officially announced the new iPad mini with A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence compatibility. As a fan of the iPad mini since the original model was released in 2012, this little tablet has a place in my heart, and this new model might have a place in yours, too.
To date, the M2 Mac mini has been the cheapest way to try out Apple Intelligence, but it’s not portable and requires additional peripherals to use, which drives up the price. Aside from the Mac mini, the iPhone 16 was the next cheapest entry point into the world of Apple Intelligence, with devices starting at $799/pounds.
Well, everything changed with the announcement of Apple’s iPad mini. The new tablets come with all the features Apple Intelligence has to offer and start from $499/£499 for the 128GB model. This means the new iPad mini is the cheapest entry point for anyone looking to try Apple Intelligence, and it’s almost a system seller in its own right.
Get Apple Intelligence at a low price
I’ve been using Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 beta since Apple first announced its AI capabilities in June, and I’ve been frustrated by the high cost of implementation ever since.
To use Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, you need one of the best iPhones from the iPhone 16 lineup, or the previous flagship models, the iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max. However, none of these smartphones are cheap, and even iPhone 15 owners will not be able to afford it in the past without AI. On the iPad side, until today’s announcement, you needed an M-series iPad. The lowest price is the M2 iPad Air, priced at $549/£549, giving you a much lower entry point to Apple Intelligence compared to the iPhone, but still $500 more. mark.
The arrival of the sub-$500 iPad mini with Apple Intelligence creates an accessible entry point for those who want to try Apple’s AI tools without paying for more expensive products. Sure, it’s only $50 cheaper than the Air, but $50 is significant, especially when you’re not sure if you’ll even use the AI features you’re upgrading.
Ever since Apple Intelligence was announced at WWDC, I’ve believed that the software’s success depends on how many people actually use it. Also, one of the biggest reasons people don’t use Apple Intelligence is the initial cost of upgrading to new software. Compatible device. Apple’s strategy with the new iPad mini could greatly benefit the company, as more people choose smaller tablets as their first exposure to Apple intelligence before purchasing a new iPhone or iPad in the future. There is.
My partner is a great example of this. She owns an iPhone 15 and was disappointed when she learned that the less-than-a-year-old device was not compatible with the next evolution of Apple software. She has no plans to buy a new iPhone at this time, Apple Intelligence hasn’t been released yet, and she doesn’t know if she’ll use it. Still, the iPad mini with Apple Intelligence capabilities could serve as a gateway to see what Apple AI is capable of. She’s not alone in wanting to try out an iPad mini for cheap access to Apple Intelligence, and if those consumers are impressed, they won’t be able to live without an Apple Intelligence-compatible smartphone. You might be first in line for the iPhone 17. .
