Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip and Apple Intelligence

[sublunar]

Here's hoping for a base iPad 11th generation with 128 GB storage, 8 GB RAM, and A17 Pro for US$349. I'm not optimistic though.

Mind you, I'd be perfectly happy if it's 128 GB storage, 6 GB RAM, and A16 Bionic, at least if it launched soon, since Apple Intelligence isn't high upon my wanted features list (yet) for such a product.

BTW, the 256 GB tier of the iPad mini has dropped in price. For 6th gen it was $649. Now for the A17 Pro model, it's $599.

Also, at BestBuy.com you can get the 64 GB 6th gen for $399 now. That might be a decent option for some of you here.

Price realignment as expected if Apple have given us 128gb for £499 in the U.K., £599 for 256 (50 off) and the new 512 tier is 799.

Remember an 11” m2 iPad Air costs an extra £100 at the same storage tiers. In the U.K. the mini is a bad value if weight and portability is very important.

A 6th gen iPad mini on clearance might be vaguely interesting but that mini used to retail at £399 or thereabouts prior to the exchange rate hike a couple years ago.

I’d say that launching a product, even a basic iPad, that is incapable of accessing a key iOS feature is a mistake now, surely A17 pro will be going in every suitable low end product for the next few months.

 

[Pezimak]

An awesome update, the design is still pretty good, the new chip will keep it going for a long time.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

If anyone sees a brand new iPad Mini 6 for 300 bucks or less, let me know please 👀

 

[beginnersview]

Wonder what are the clock frequencies for those cores

According to Wikipedia, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_A17>,

The Apple A17 Pro features an Apple-designed 64-bit ARMv8.6-A six-core CPU with two high-performance cores running at 3.78 GHz, and four energy-efficient cores running at 2.11 GHz.[2]

<https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_a17_...rmance_cores_clocked_at_378ghz-news-59897.php>

--

 

[OrcaAreCute]

So... no Final Cut for iPad Mini?

no incentive to upgrade from 6 until it does..

 

[oldwatery]

That’s it? no wonder it was just a press release.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I just purchased my mini 6 last year in May, so I’m fine with keeping mine until the mini 8 launches. It’ll last me that long.

 

[ipedro]

Perfect for intentional screen time

I've been leaving my iPhone at home, more and more. My Apple Watches (with cellular) + AirPods Pro are my always on me personal devices. Apple Watch makes calls, is my Music and Podcast player, manages my life with a calendar and reminders while being there to ask general knowledge questions from the internet via Siri. I cannot get sucked into screen time on a Watch.

For the times I want to have a screen on me, it'll be this iPad mini. Too large to pull out a hundred times a day like an iPhone but a great note taking and reading device when I want to use a screen more intentionally.

I'm disappointed it's still missing Face ID, and I'm still on the fence over jellyscrolling, but if the latter is solved after reviews come out, I'll be picking one up on Wednesday.

 

[GuruZac]

Should have launched with the A18, but at least it has 8GB of RAM.

 

[ipedro]

I’m trying to find out if it’ll run Final Cut. When the app was launched, it was only for M-class chips but the A17 Pro is a beast. Anyone see any mention on video/film boards?

 

[ctjack]

I’m trying to find out if it’ll run Final Cut. When the app was launched, it was only for M-class chips but the A17 Pro is a beast. Anyone see any mention on video/film boards?

I think it has less to do with the power more like those guys just slightly recoded m1 version from a laptop. They would have to make it from scratch for mobile processor.

 

[840quadra]

I’m trying to find out if it’ll run Final Cut. When the app was launched, it was only for M-class chips but the A17 Pro is a beast. Anyone see any mention on video/film boards?

Apple is usually good about updating their specifications on apps right away. So far no joy.

1. Requires iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 11‑inch (4th generation), iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (6th generation), or iPad Air (M2) and Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (2nd generation), or Apple Pencil (USB-C).

It's fine in my case, I 100% prefer Lumafusion for their touch integration and optomization for iOS and iPad OS. I can't use Final Cut on my iPhone, but totally can (and do) use Luma on my iphones and finish on larger iPads or M series Macbook Pros.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I just purchased my mini 6 last year in May, so I’m fine with keeping mine until the mini 8 launches. It’ll last me that long.

You know the expectations around here. What you posted isn’t going to work. Do better.

 

[jeroenvip]

Is it compatible with the outdated apple cleaning cloth ?

 

[klky]

Darn, the one thing I was hoping for and thought was a realistic expectation, was a brighter display. FaceID and ProMotion would have been nice too but we all knew Apple was gonna Apple.

In any case, I already promised the wife my iPad mini 6 when the 7 dropped so will be getting it regardless. 512GB storage will definitely be nice.

On second thought, I might just get my wife the new 7 as she only wants wifi, doesn't need 512GB and doesn't use the pencil. Getting a new 7 for myself would require me to replace my perfectly fine Apple Pencil 2, and I would certainly want the 512GB cellular model which is more of a nice-to-have.

Admittedly, I'm also quite disappointed that Apple couldn't at least have made the display brighter. I don't think that was an unrealistic expectation. Recent product updates have been pretty underwhelming to say the least. We're not even asking for new tech at this point.

 

[cptcaveman]

A 60hz device at the end of 2024. They are laughing at us.

 

[pauljbax]

Anti-reflective - does it wear off?

 

[b.la]

I just compared this gen with the previous on Apple’s website, it’s like spot the difference. Anyone upgrading from the previous gen will need Apple Intelligence because they likely don’t have any of their own.

 

[DaftDrunk]

Still very happy with my mini 4. Will not upgrade until we get 120hz oled. Hoping we get it before 2030. Do better, apple. This ‘upgrade’ is lazy

 

[dandyryan]

at least give it external monitor support plus stage manager, damn. sorry macrumors idc about oled/refresh rate/face id/48MP camera. just let me feel like i can turn a tiny ipad into a portable 32" desktop.

 

[timjohns]

So no FaceID and the rest is basically iOS 18 things that don’t exist yet…. Looks like my Mini6 Couch Pad will live on for a few more years.

 

[Lioness~]

Not dancing of this update exactly, not even any small jump...

Nah, I thilnk I wait and survive with my mini 6 for now.
See when there will be a new air or pro? Don't feel so fun and buy any of them now - I wan't fresh baked bread...and Apple stuff...when I buy it.

 

[hot_ham_water]

I have a mini 6 and 12.9” pro 3rd gen (both of which I use exclusively for reading and marking up music) and use the same pencil 2nd gen with both. No pencil 2nd gen support on mini 7 is a huge shame—makes doubling the storage for the same price a joke since you need a new pencil.

 

[hot_ham_water]

I have a mini 6 and 12.9” pro 3rd gen (both of which I use exclusively for reading and marking up music) and use the same pencil 2nd gen with both. No pencil 2nd gen support on mini 7 is a huge shame—makes doubling the storage for the same price a joke since you need a new pencil.

PS: the article says it “gains” support for the pencil pro but it actually switches support to the pencil pro. Critical difference.

 

[Eorlas]

So basically. So basically

so basically you dont have much to say