The internet was flooded with reviews of the iPad mini 7 this week after Apple quietly announced the mini-tablet on October 15th. Considering it’s been three years since Apple last released an 8.3-inch iPad, it’s definitely a must-buy for tablet fans, right? According to those reviews, the answer is more than you might expect. is also a little complicated.
This is because, as most people would agree, the mini 7 is a mixed bag. It comes with the A17 Pro chip (for Apple Intelligence), supports Pencil Pro, increases base storage to 128GB, and comes in flashy new colors. However, the design and screen are the same as before. And it’s disappointing for some people who had high hopes for the tablet.
So how did the iPad mini 7 perform in various benchmark tests and real-world scenarios? And what exactly can it be used for? We’ve compiled the biggest iPad mini 7 reviews to date in one convenient place, so you can decide if it’s worth spending $499 / £499 / AU$799. Of course, let’s start with TechRadar’s own iPad mini 7 review.
TechRadar: “A premium mini-tablet experience that still captivates people today”
In our review of the iPad mini A17 Pro (2024), we praised the performance of Apple’s new mini tablet, despite it being equipped with the older A17 Pro chip. In the GeekBench 6 test, scores show a significant performance improvement over the iPad mini 6, which also supports Apple Intelligence features.
On the downside, the iPad mini 7 is otherwise pretty much the same as its predecessor. As we pointed out, “Apple didn’t bother to upgrade the design, screen, camera, or speakers.”
In our battery life tests, we found it delivered just over 10 hours of battery life, about the same as an 8.3-inch tablet. Still, while it’s not an exciting upgrade, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the iPad and gave it four and a half stars and a “recommended” rating.
good points
- perfectly portable
- excellent build
- nice screen
- A great companion to the Pencil Pro
Bad place
- Expensive for its size
- aging design
- FaceTime camera is still on the short side of the screen
The Verge: “The new Mini hasn’t been upgraded at all”
The most critical take yet on Apple’s new mini-tablet comes from The Verge. He went so far as to say that the mini 7 “represents a new low for products,” while also saying, “If you want an iPad mini, buy this.”
These two statements can coexist in the same review because The Verge has a grand vision of what the iPad mini is like. It was done The new version doesn’t reach that. The mini 7 “feels like an iPad designed by Supply Chain,” its review says, making it perfect for those who want to combine a small screen with a great Apple Pencil experience.
Similar to our tests, The Verge’s benchmarks showed some real-world performance gains with the mini 6, finding them all to be “one beat faster than the last model.” But the elephant in the room is Apple Intelligence.
It remains to be seen how good it will be, but The Verge says that “unless it’s game-changingly great, there’s almost no good reason to buy the new iPad Mini over the old one.” concludes.
good points
- faster than last time
- Perfect size for tablets
- Supports Pencil Pro
Bad place
- jelly scroll still exists
- Not as powerful as other iPads
- Outdated Touch ID and camera placement
CNET: “We’re not making amazing progress in new areas.”
watch on
CNET’s take on the iPad mini 7 is that while it’s not overwhelming in many ways, it’s still good enough for people who have waited a few years to buy one.
There are some interesting points that aren’t widely covered, including the lack of new accessories that fit the tablet form factor. CNET points out that a small Pencil or a small keyboard case would have been a great complement to the mini 7, but neither has arrived yet.
Even more troubling, the review also points out that Apple Pencil 2 doesn’t work with the new tablet. You’ll need a Pencil Pro or an inexpensive USB-C Pencil. Still, those complaints aside, CNET concludes that for those who have been waiting to get an iPad mini, “now is the perfect time to get one.” Even if you’re an iPad mini (2021) owner, “these upgrades may not mean that much to you.”
good points
- compact size
- Supports Pencil Pro
- Apple Intelligence Ready
- The base model comes with 128GB of storage
Bad place
- No major design changes
- I need a smaller pencil
- no keyboard case
Engadget: “Safety, boredom, and everything I want on a little tablet.”
Engadget’s review of the iPad mini 7 is a “glass half-full” review of the tablet. While the magazine acknowledged similar limitations as other reviews (old screen, outdated design, lack of Face ID, lack of M-series chips, etc.), the magazine still noted that Apple still offers “a complete iPad experience in a compact package.” We believe that we have made sufficient efforts to provide the following.
This review also details what you’ll actually use the iPad mini for. Broadly speaking, Engadget says, “This is a fun second device that you use primarily after work in place of your MacBook Pro or iPhone.”
Specifically, the primary use cases are focused on reading, messaging, gaming, and video viewing, along with digital art and sketching if that’s your inclination.
good points
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro
- A17 Pro chip is powerful enough
- Final starts at 128GB of storage
- Apple may have fixed the jelly scroll display issue
Bad place
- Display is limited to 60Hz
- The bezel looks a little thick
- No face recognition
- No M series tip
Verdict: Could be better, but good enough for most people
The iPad mini 7 has been pretty poorly received by reviewers (so far). While the general consensus is that it’s far from the best iPad mini Apple has to offer, It was done This is the best small tablet you can buy. Depending on your needs, this may be sufficient.
All reviews agree that it’s a good time to buy an iPad mini for those who have been patiently waiting for it. Where the conclusions differ slightly is whether it’s a worthwhile upgrade for current Mini 6 owners.
The answer seems to depend largely on your expectations of the tablet. If you’ve been waiting for an iPad mini to enhance your games, apps, and photo and video editing in the real world, our benchmark results show it delivers. But even if you’re hoping for a pro-level experience, you might still be left feeling unsatisfied.
The iPad mini 7 also supports Apple Intelligence, and while it’s not clear how future-proof the A17 Pro chip is, if you’re ready to wait for Apple’s AI capabilities to flourish, this is it. is another bonus.
