To no one’s surprise, the new iPad Mini 7 is more of an internal upgrade than a groundbreaking redesign. Apple’s kept the same familiar compact design we’ve seen since the last update, but the real improvements are under the hood.
The most notable change? The powerful A17 Pro chip, which boosts performance to a whole new level.
This iPad Mini now supports more advanced features, including Apple Intelligence, set to launch soon. While it may not look different from the outside, there are plenty of enhancements that make it worth considering.
In this review, I’ll explore the 4 things I love and the 4 things that might make you think twice about upgrading.
The 4 Things I LOVE about the iPad Mini A17 Pro
1 – A17 Pro Chip Performance
The iPad Mini 7’s A17 Pro chip is a game-changer, bringing desktop-level performance to a device that fits in your hand. Whether you’re multitasking with several apps open, editing videos, or gaming, the A17 Pro handles everything effortlessly. The fluidity and responsiveness, even with power-hungry apps, are remarkable. You won’t notice any lag—this Mini performs with speed that rivals many larger devices.
What makes the A17 Pro even more interesting is its role in unlocking Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1. If you don’t have an iPhone 15 or later, the iPad Mini 7 is the most affordable way to access these new AI tools, as I wrote in this article. While Apple Intelligence is still in its early stages, primarily offering features like generative AI summaries, writing assistance, and enhanced search within apps, the A17 Pro ensures the iPad Mini is ready for what’s to come.
However, there’s a bit of uncertainty about how these AI features will evolve. While Apple says the Mini 7 will handle all Apple Intelligence capabilities well, the A17 Pro is still not as powerful as the M-series chips found in iPads like the Air and Pro. That raises some concerns about whether the Mini will be able to fully take advantage of future AI-driven features, especially as these tools become more integral to iOS and iPadOS in the coming years.
For now, though, the A17 Pro brings enhanced AI capabilities like message summaries, writing improvements, and tools like Clean Up for object removal in photos. It also enhances Siri, allowing you to type requests and interact with it in more intuitive ways. Although some features still feel experimental and rough around the edges, having these tools on such a portable device is impressive. And thanks to the faster USB-C port with 10Gb/sec data transfer and Wi-Fi 6E support, the Mini is also well-equipped for high-speed connections and future-proofed for the tech landscape ahead.
In short, the A17 Pro gives the iPad Mini 7 the muscle to handle today’s tasks and the potential for tomorrow’s AI advancements, making it a smart choice for those looking to stay ahead of the curve without investing in the larger, pricier iPads.
The New iPad Mini A17 Pro is now available to buy on Amazon
2 – Apple Pencil 2 Compatibility: A Seamless Experience, But Still Some Misses
One of the things I love about the iPad Mini 7 is its compatibility with the Apple Pencil 2. As someone who regularly uses the Pencil for sketching, note-taking, and creative work, the experience with the 2nd generation Pencil on this device is top-notch. It’s responsive, feels natural in hand, and integrates smoothly with apps like Procreate and Notability. The magnetic attachment and wireless charging make it easy to keep the Pencil within reach and powered up, adding to the seamless workflow.
That being said, Apple’s lineup of styluses can be confusing. While I appreciate that the Mini supports the Apple Pencil 2, this tablet doesn’t fully capitalize on the advanced features of the Pencil Pro, which you’d find on higher-end iPads. The Pencil Pro offers extras like haptic feedback, rotation sensitivity for digital brushes, and the ability to hover for pre-selecting tools, but these features aren’t supported on the iPad Mini 7. For creative professionals or those looking to unlock the full potential of the Pencil Pro, this might feel like a bit of a missed opportunity.
Still, the iPad Mini 7 is the most affordable way to access the Apple Pencil 2’s core functionality. While it lacks the newer bells and whistles, it’s hard to beat the precision and fluidity it offers for drawing, writing, and interacting with supported apps. If you’re looking for a small, portable tablet for creative tasks or note-taking, the iPad Mini and Pencil 2 combo is still a winning option, but don’t expect it to match the full Pencil Pro experience.
3 – Compact & Portable Design – The Fun-Sized iPad Mini 7
The size of the iPad Mini remains one of its best features. There’s something undeniably fun about the iPad Mini 7’s 8.3-inch size. It’s the perfect balance between portability and productivity, fitting comfortably in one hand while still offering a big enough screen for entertainment, note-taking, or even light work.
I’ve always enjoyed using the iPad Mini, as it’s just so convenient to carry around, and use on the go. It’s small enough to tuck away into a bag or even hold for extended periods without discomfort, making it a perfect portable companion.
The screen feels immersive enough, without being overwhelming. It’s larger than an iPhone but smaller and easier to handle than a gaming device like a Nintendo Switch, making it my go-to for casual gaming on the move.
When it comes to streaming, the Mini 7 also shines. The aspect ratio is wide enough to make movies and shows feel cinematic, and it’s big enough to enjoy without feeling cramped. It almost feels like having a mini TV in your hands—great for watching sports or binge-watching your favorite series on the go. Plus, its size makes it a fantastic e-reader, rivalling devices like the Kindle.
However, the smaller screen does show its limitations when it comes to multitasking. Split-screen mode with two apps can feel cramped, especially compared to larger iPads that offer more screen real estate. And without Stage Manager for floating windows, juggling multiple apps feels restrictive, limiting the device’s potential for productivity tasks.
As for pricing, the entry-level $499 cost isn’t bad for an Apple product, especially since the base model now starts with 128GB of storage, which is enough for everyday use like streaming, reading, and basic gaming.
But once you start adding extras like the Apple Pencil Pro (currently $94 on Amazon), a case ($59), or optional 5G support ($150), the price can quickly climb. And while it’s still more expensive than the basic 10th-gen iPad (starting at $349), the iPad Mini’s unique size and portability offer something that makes it worth the extra cost, depending on your needs.
In the end, the iPad Mini 7 is the perfect fun-sized gadget for casual entertainment, but its small size does hold it back for more serious multitasking.
4 – Improved Display
The display on the iPad Mini 7 is sharper and brighter than ever, making it a joy to use for reading, streaming, or drawing. True Tone and the higher brightness levels are noticeable upgrades, making the screen pop in various lighting conditions.
The 4 Things I HATE about the iPad Mini A17 Pro
1 – No ProMotion Display – A Missed Opportunity
For a device that packs the powerhouse A17 Pro chip, the absence of a ProMotion display on the iPad Mini 7 feels like a serious oversight. ProMotion, with its 120Hz refresh rate, brings ultra-smooth scrolling and animations that make everything feel more responsive and immersive. On the Mini, however, we’re stuck with a standard 60Hz display, which feels noticeably less fluid, especially if you’ve used an iPad Pro or even the latest iPhone models.
This lack of ProMotion is particularly frustrating given the performance capabilities of the A17 Pro chip. The hardware is more than capable of handling the high refresh rate, but Apple didn’t make the leap. You really feel the difference when swiping through apps, scrolling webpages, or playing graphically intense games. It’s hard to justify the premium price tag for a device that skips out on a feature many users have come to expect in high-end Apple products. Simply put, for what you’re paying, the screen experience should match the device’s power, and in this case, it just doesn’t.
2 – Still No Face ID
Despite being 2024, the iPad Mini 7 still relies on Touch ID in the power button. While it works fine, Face ID would have made unlocking the device more convenient and seamless, especially since it’s a staple on other high-end Apple products.
3- iPad Mini 7 Feels Stuck in Time
While the iPad Mini 7’s internal upgrades are impressive, it’s disappointing that Apple didn’t bother to refresh its exterior design. It’s essentially identical to the 2021 model in size, shape, and overall feel.
After three years, I was hoping for at least a few noticeable changes—maybe thinner bezels, an OLED display, or even a more modern look that aligns with the sleek designs of the iPad Pro or iPhone lineup.
Even the Apple Pencil situation feels clunky. Sure, the Mini 7 supports the Apple Pencil 2, but the size of the Pencil still looks awkwardly oversized when docked to the side of such a small tablet. Apple hasn’t introduced a smaller, more fitting stylus or found a way to integrate the Pencil more seamlessly into the Mini’s design.
And let’s not even talk about the lack of an official keyboard case. It feels like Apple hasn’t put any thought into evolving the iPad Mini’s concept—it’s just the same shell with new internals, which leaves a lot to be desired for those who expect innovation beyond just performance upgrades.
4 – No M-Series Chip, No Advanced Multitasking
One of the biggest letdowns of the iPad Mini 7 is its lack of an M-series chip, which holds it back from some of the advanced multitasking capabilities available on other iPads. While the A17 Pro is fast and performs well in single-core tasks, it just doesn’t compare to the M1 or M2 chips when it comes to handling multiple apps or demanding tasks. In benchmark tests, the Mini falls behind, especially in multicore performance, which makes it feel less capable than the M1-equipped iPad Air.
What’s most disappointing is the absence of support for features like Stage Manager, which allows M-series iPads to multitask on an external monitor. The iPad Mini 7 is limited to basic screen mirroring, and while it can play video at 4K and 60fps on a monitor, that’s about as far as it goes. For those who were hoping this Mini could be a pocket-sized powerhouse that could connect to larger displays and serve as a productivity hub, the lack of M-series functionality is a real letdown.
It’s frustrating, especially considering how close the iPad Mini 7 is to being a truly versatile device. With the M-series chip, it could have taken a huge leap forward in productivity, but instead, it remains limited to more casual use, making it feel like a missed opportunity for those looking to push their iPad to the next level.
What’s New in the 2024 iPad Mini Compared to the 2021 Model?
The 2024 iPad Mini brings several key upgrades over its 2021 predecessor:
Jelly Scrolling Fix: The notorious “jelly scrolling” issue from the 2021 model has been resolved in the 2024 version, providing a smoother scrolling experience.
Processor: The A17 Pro chip in the 2024 model offers a 30% faster CPU and 25% faster GPU compared to the A15 chip in the 2021 version. It also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, boosting gaming performance.
Apple Pencil Support: The 2024 Mini now supports the Apple Pencil Pro, featuring advanced functions like pressure sensitivity, haptics, tilt, and a squeeze function, while the 2021 model only supports the first-generation Pencil.
Recommended reading: Apple Pencils prices are at an all time low!
Storage: The base storage has doubled from 64GB to 128GB, with a new 512GB option available in the 2024 version.
Connectivity: Upgraded wireless technology includes Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E, compared to Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 in the 2021 model.
My Verdict on the iPad Mini A17 Pro – I Bought One For My Daughter 😂
Despite its drawbacks—like the lack of a ProMotion display, no M-series chip, and an unchanged design—the iPad Mini 7 still shines where it matters most.
Its powerful A17 Pro chip, compact size, and excellent compatibility with the Apple Pencil 2 make it a versatile and fun device that’s perfect for casual gaming, reading, and streaming on the go.
The flaws, while notable, don’t overshadow the convenience and portability that the Mini offers. In fact, after weighing the pros and cons, I’ve decided to order one for my daughter. It’s an ideal companion for entertainment, studying and light productivity, making it a great choice for anyone who values portability without sacrificing too much on performance.
The New iPad Mini A17 Pro is now available to buy on Amazon
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