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

[frost_horizon]

Apple will release at least 10 more iterations before they offer 120hz on the mini.

I am patient enough. Better keep my money for something else.

 

[sixth]

Have to dump those leftover A17s Pros in something. Probably have a couple million sitting in a bin.

 

[jonblatho]

Am I the only one that caught the line in their release that basically says iOS 18.1 is only going to be available for iPads that run A17 Pro or M1+? If that's the case it seems they are cutting off quite a few iPad models with 18.1, previously it was just the Apple Intelligence features themselves which required M1 or later:

"The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English this month through a free software update with iPadOS 18.1, and available for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later."

That is…not what that says at all.

 

[Pandyone]

I’m still thinking they minimize the mini because either they have a phone that opens up to about this size, or an iPad that folds down to about this size. They’re saving the form factor.

A plastic screen with Apple Pencil?
Don’t think so. Not while they sell Pencils.

 

[Slix]

Well, I was not expecting to wake up and see an iPad mini announcement randomly. Glad they doubled the base storage!

 

[chrono1081]

Ah yes, the Wi-Fi 6 that is faster than 7.....
View attachment 2437639

The ratification isn't complete, so yes, 6 IS the fastest available. It wouldn't be wise to put anything Wifi7 in a device until ratification.

EDIT: Looks like the iPhone 16 has wifi7. I still stand by my statement though it's stupid to put something in before ratification. I remember back when (I think it was G) was coming out and a bunch of early routers just stopped working.

 

[stocklen]

well thats disappointing. Why is the mini seen as such a poor cousin to the rest of the lineup.

Of particular disappointment is the A17 as that runs too hot in my iPhone 15 pro.... wouldn't want that chip again.

Sad to see other things left such as touchID remaining and portrait camera placement.

I was waiting to see what they came up with to replace my Mini 6 - and decided to see and if underwhelming go back to the pro.

Pro it is, but I do enjoy the mini form factor.

 

[ophh1]

I wonder if this A17 Pro is different than the previous A17 Pro. iPad mini got a slightly slower version of the A15, so it wouldn't surprise me if this new model had a binned chip.

You are right. The A17 Pro on the iPhone 15 Pro has a 6-core GPU, while iPad mini has a 5-core GPU

 

[Taylor22]

The ratification isn't complete, so yes, 6 IS the fastest available. It wouldn't be wise to put anything Wifi7 in a device until ratification.

Not like say the iPhone 16's?

 

[jclardy]

Am I the only one that caught the line in their release that basically says iOS 18.1 is only going to be available for iPads that run A17 Pro or M1+? If that's the case it seems they are cutting off quite a few iPad models with 18.1, previously it was just the Apple Intelligence features themselves which required M1 or later:

"The first set of Apple Intelligence features will be available in U.S. English this month through a free software update with iPadOS 18.1, and available for iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later."

I think they are just mentioning Apple Intelligence features, not 18.1 in general.

 

[Macalway]

The screen on the 6 isn't exactly bad, but not particularly impressive. If there's nothing mentioned about it, it almost certainly is the same. A bit odd. At least it's not discontinued.

 

[Kylo83]

This means no event, daily drops

 

[jarman92]

$230 trade in for my mini 6 on a $600 mini 7, both 256gb.

Pass...

Pretty good for a 3-year-old iPad, imo.

 

[dmccombs]

I was hoping for a brighter screen, but the new mini is still 500 nits. A lot of folks use the Mini when outside, or on the go. I just didn't find the 500 nits pleasing when outside or in bright rooms. A brighter screen was high on my wish-list for the new Mini.

Of course, we'll have to wait for reviews to see if the Jelly scroll issue was fixed.

 

[jarman92]

Sigh. I guess that means another 3 years of wanting a mini but not being able to buy one because the screen refresh rate is intolerable.

 

[iZac]

I remember some products were updated via press release a week before things like WWDC, so maybe Mac event next tuesday?

 

[abcmax]

No nano-SIM tray in new iPad mini. eSIM only.

 

[clayj]

Ordered. I've been waiting for something new and small that I can use to manage stuff for older members of my family -- I am the family tech guy who keeps everything running.

 

[jdclifford]

Waiting 3 years for an update and all we get is a bump up in the chip. No wonder it’s just a press release. VERY DISAPPOINTING TIM. I was looking forward to this but now I’ll just keep my mini 6 awhile longer.

Also losing support for Apple Pencil 2 to accommodate Apple Pencil Pro?

Update: After holding my breath for about 5 minutes, I placed my order. Considering the trade-in on my mini 6, that’s not too bad for a 3yr old iPad.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

These will ship with 18.0 according to tech specs, so 18.1 is probably still scheduled for the 28th.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I’m happy with this, if only because there’s more room in the November event now.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

It is absurd that Face ID is still only on the Pro models since 2018.

Yep. And no Pro Motion, at that price. Especially when you consider how close the Air is to it.

 

[washablemarkers]

Doubled the storage so there's more room for Apple Intelligence!
Betting this means no base iPad announcement before the holidays, which is confounding, but it probably allows them to release one next year "ready for Apple Intelligence" etc

 

[brofkand]

I wonder if this means no event? Still. My mini 6 is just fine.

Not necessarily, they may just want to focus on Mac updates at the event and so they're doing the iPad mini ahead of time.

 

[uiop.]

Well I guess that saves me some money. Holding onto my Mini 6 for a few more years now.