Apple’s tiniest tablet, the iPad mini 7, is set to receive its next update.
Macworld
The 6th-generation iPad mini, released in 2021, underwent a significant redesign with a larger screen, Touch ID integrated into the power button, a switch from Lightning to USB C, and an improved front camera. This marks the first major design change for the iPad mini since its initial release in 2012. Despite not receiving any updates for its 10-year anniversary in 2022, there are rumors of a 7th-generation iPad mini in development and possibly being released by October 2023. Here is what we currently know.
When is the release date for the iPad mini 7?
It has been approximately two years since the release of the 6th generation iPad mini. Judging from the release dates of previous iPad mini models, it would be logical for an autumn update to occur for the iPad mini.
Is it possible to catch a glimpse of the 7th generation iPad mini in October 2023? It’s a possibility. Apple is planning to host an event on October 30, where the new iPad mini may be revealed. We might also get a look at the new iPad Air.
It is possible that the October gathering will prioritize unveiling new Mac models instead of iPads. However, according to a report from DigiTimes in September of 2023, there is a mention of a potential release of a smaller iPad in the fourth quarter of that year. Therefore, it is plausible that we may witness the launch of new iPads alongside the new Macs.
An October release is not unheard of. Here are the release dates of the last few models:
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The 6th generation of the iPad mini will be released in September 2021.
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The 5th generation of iPad mini was released in March of 2019.
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The 4th generation iPad mini was released in September 2015.
- iPad mini 3: October 2014
- iPad mini 2: October 2013
- iPad mini: October 2012
It is possible that the new iPad mini will launch in spring 2024. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a reputable Apple analyst, the release of the new iPad mini was originally scheduled for late 2023 or early 2024.
There have been rumors circulating that Apple may be developing a new iPad Pro, which could potentially include a 14-inch model, to be released in 2024.
What is the cost of the new iPad mini 7?
The 6th generation iPad mini, which has been redesigned, now costs $499, which is $100 more than the previous model.
The cost has gone up significantly in countries outside of the United States, including the United Kingdom, where it has increased by an additional £90. However, Apple is now lowering prices for the iPhone 15 globally, after previously raising prices in 2021/2022 for countries outside of the U.S. This could potentially result in price decreases in certain markets.
The prices of the 6th and 5th generations were compared as follows:
- The 6th generation iPad mini is priced at $499/£479, with a current price of £569 in the U.K.
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The 5th generation iPad mini costs $399 in the US and £379 in the UK.
It is expected that the price of the iPad mini 7 will remain unchanged from the previous model, the iPad mini 6. However, we anticipate more competitive pricing in different markets.
What are the specifications of the iPad mini 7? What functionalities can be expected from the iPad mini?
You may have observed from Kuo’s tweet that there is an anticipation for the upcoming iPad mini to have a better processor than its current one. We are also anticipating some minor internal enhancements.
Improved processor
The A15 Bionic chip, also found in the iPhone 13, mini, Pro, and Max, is included in the iPad mini 6. However, this chip is running at a lower speed compared to the one in the iPhone 13 series. Let’s take a look at how this chip stacks up against the others in the range and what we can expect for the next generation.
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The upcoming iPad Pro, currently equipped with an M2 chip, is anticipated to upgrade to the M3 chip in its next generation.
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The 5th generation iPad Air currently uses the M1 chip, but it is anticipated that the next generation will feature an upgraded M2 chip.
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The 6th generation iPad mini features the A15 chip, which is also used in the iPhone 13 series. The upcoming generation is anticipated to have the A16 chip, which is currently found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.
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The 10th generation iPad features the A14 chip, which is also used in the iPhone 12 series. The upcoming generation is predicted to have the A16 chip, which is currently used in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.
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The iPad (9th generation) features the A13 processor, which is also utilized in the iPhone 11 series.
In December, Kuo announced that the primary feature of the iPad mini would be its updated processor. Although he did not mention which processor at the time, it is now anticipated to be the A16 chip used in the iPhone 14 Pro and Max, as well as the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
You might be considering the possibility of the iPad mini receiving an M1 chip similar to the one found in the iPad Air. While it is a potential option for Apple in the future, rumors suggest that the current use of the M1 in the iPad Air was due to the limited availability of the A16 at the time, as noted in a tweet by Mark Gurman during the iPad Air’s launch.
Increased storage
The starting storage capacity for the 6th generation iPad mini is only 64GB, which may not be sufficient for users who need to store various types of media and apps. This can be especially troublesome when using the iPad for travel or daily use without having to constantly monitor the storage space.
While Apple has a track record of offering low storage capacities for their base models, we believe it would be a smart decision to increase the storage capacity of the entry-level 7th generation iPad mini to at least 128GB. With the increasing size of files due to advancements in camera and software technology, doubling the current 64GB storage would be a beneficial solution for consumers.
One potential improvement to consider is increasing the maximum storage capacity. Currently, the iPad mini 6th generation offers a maximum storage of 256GB. It would make sense to upgrade this to 512GB, especially if the base storage also increases to 128GB.
Is there a new design for the iPad mini 7?
The rumor mill has surprisingly been calm, suggesting that the design of the iPad mini 7 will likely be similar to the 6th-generation model. Here is what we have discovered so far.
Display
It is improbable that the design will be altered, however the upcoming iPad mini is anticipated to feature a redesigned display controller in order to address a known “jelly scrolling issue” that causes content to appear slow.
There have been ongoing rumors that Apple plans to switch to OLED display technology, but this may not occur until a later date. Apple is currently in talks with LG, Samsung, and other companies regarding active matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs). According to market research firm Omdia, “Apple is actively considering implementing OLED technology for its iPad mini and iPad Air models as part of its strategy starting in 2026.”
Screen size
The screen size of the iPad mini was 7.9 inches until the latest 6th generation was released in 2021. With the removal of the Home button, the 6th generation now boasts an 8.3-inch screen and it is unlikely to change in the upcoming 7th generation.
Folding display
There have been rumors that Apple is developing an iPad with a foldable screen, but it is unlikely that this will be available for this particular model. In December 2022, Ming-Chi Kuo stated that reports of a foldable iPad mini in the works were incorrect, as the cost of a foldable iPad would be significantly higher than an iPad mini, making it an unreasonable replacement. (Refer to tweet above).
ProMotion
According to a post on a South Korean forum in November 2021, Apple may be using new screen technology for the next mini, although the size of the screen is expected to remain at 8.3 inches. The post, which has been translated from Clien, suggests that Apple has ordered 8.3-inch displays from Samsung that can support a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. If this is true, the mini could potentially have the ProMotion feature, which offers ultra-smooth scrolling and is currently available on the iPad Pro, iPhone 13 Pro models, and 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro. This could potentially address the issue of “jelly scrolling” that some users have experienced with the current iPad mini.
Unfortunately, it seems that this specific rumor may not be true. Ross Young, the CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, does not think that Apple will be equipping the iPad mini with a ProMotion display just yet. He suggests that implementing this feature would involve significant modifications to the hardware, which would require a considerable amount of engineering.
We are hesitant about the possibility of a ProMotion enhancement, as it is a key factor that distinguishes the standard and Pro devices sold by Apple.
Colors
It is probable that the design of the iPad mini will remain unchanged for multiple iterations.
IDG
The 6th generation iPad mini saw a noticeable change with the introduction of a new range of colors by Apple.
At the moment, you have the choice of space gray, pink, purple, and starlight for the iPad Air. However, when it was updated in fall 2021, it also added new colors such as silver, rose gold, green, and sky blue. It is likely that some of these colors will also be available for the iPad mini. Additionally, with the recent release of the colorful iPad 10th generation, there is a possibility that the iPad mini will also have a new range of colors. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, has a very light color palette, making it uncertain which direction Apple will take with the iPad mini’s colors.
As additional information is released, we will keep this article up to date. In the meantime, please refer to our iPad purchasing guide for our top recommendations on purchasing one of Apple’s tablets right now. Also, take a look at our compilation of the best deals for the current selection of iPad minis.
