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

[antiprotest]

Disappointing, but expected.

After so many years, I will give up waiting for a better iPad mini or one that has FaceID.

My next iPad will probably be an iPad Pro.

You win, Apple. Bravo.

 

[scrapesleon]

waste of time I'll just get an iPad Pro now and don't get me started on those hideous bezels in 2024

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

Apple need to do a lot more with the mini.

 

[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.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

A bit surprised they went with A17 pro and not some A18 variant. Cannot find how much RAM they have in the tech specs, but it should be 8 GB, shouldn't it?

Now:
* What colour to get? (Leaning towards blue...though purple also looks nice in photos)
* How much space? (Had planned 256, but 512 looks nice for holding my whole iPhoto library)
* With or without cellular? (How much battery drain on the iPhone if I use personal hotspot; battery life is usually at a premium while travelling, which is when I'd use the cellular option...)

 

[BB8]

man what the hell is going on at apple with these lame updates. is there a supply chain issue? I genuinely don't understand why they couldn't have made this same update in May when they updated all the other iPads.

 

[TokyoKiller]

Kinda interesting that it’s listed as iPad mini (A17 Pro) instead of iPad mini 7 or 7th generation. Though M-series Airs and Pros are named similarly.

View attachment 2437669

It’s probably a necessary distinction for those seeking Apple Intelligence-enabled hardware.

 

[chrono1081]

I don't know how anyone can defend this release

This is not an annual release product (3 year cycle in fact!) and this is so incredibly "nothing" of an update, it boggles the mind

It really should have been more. I ordered one because I really miss having a mini but I'd expect it to have FaceID, 120hz refresh rate, and a brighter screen.

My thought is if they give a real update I can at least trade this one in for a credit.

 

[dannyyankou]

The same chip that’s in the 15 Pro series, I’d say that’s a fairly significant update for a device that was previously running the chip that was in the iPhone 13.

But besides a spec bump, no other hardware changes. Same 60hz display. Same 12MP camera. No “true” 5G, it’s only sub-600ghz.

I wasn’t expecting an overhaul, but there’s so many little things they could’ve updated to make this upgrade more substantial.

 

[BorisDG]

I'm surprised, but I imagine it means the iPad mini is low-volume enough that they don't mind using remaining SoCs from the iPhone 15 Pro production run.

defective* I bet they have plenty of them.

 

[Nick A]

Any product without 120hz is an instant no-buy. Should be standard in 2024.

Also should have the A18 Pro.

 

[JippaLippa]

Now that was sudden!

Oddly enough I might be interested in this, as I take a million notes per day and I just want to ditch paper...
Delightful material to work with, but I cannot keep accumulating a million sheets around the house.
I'd love a pro, but I wouldn't make much use of all its characteristics.

 

[slippery-pete]

I don't know how anyone can defend this release

This is not an annual release product (3 year cycle in fact!) and this is so incredibly "nothing" of an update, it boggles the mind

If it is not for you, don't buy it. I saw the specs and said "easy pass" and moved on.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Apple does, people are going to complain.

 

[krull1015]

"Apple introduces powerful new iPad mini built for Apple Intelligence"
I hope intelligence lives up to all the hype.

So far it’s not that impressive… but Apple like all companies seem to over hype new features and hardware updates.

 

[Isamilis]

Kinda interesting that it’s listed as iPad mini (A17 Pro) instead of iPad mini 7 or 7th generation. Though M-series Airs and Pros are named similarly.

View attachment 2437669

It’s still same generation, with updated processor, RAM and storage to support Apple Intelligence.

 

[Nick A]

If it is not for you, don't buy it. I saw the specs and said "easy pass" and moved on.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what Apple does, people are going to complain.

I don't really agree. Some people want a product with specific specs that just doesn't exist because Apple doesn't make it so it's disappointing to see a new product launch without the specs they want.

If they actually implemented features people wanted, there would be little to complain about, like the 2021 14" MacBook Pro when it launched.

This iPad Mini should've had the A18 Pro and a 120hz display.

 

[turbineseaplane]

What colour to get? (Leaning towards blue..

You mean "green"?
Sure doesn't look very blue to me

 

[turbineseaplane]

It’s probably a necessary distinction for those seeking Apple Intelligence-enabled hardware.

Is the general public really out there clamoring for "Apple Intelligence enabled hardware"?

Every normie I know basically wants nothing to do with AI or similar things

 

[Biro]

I don't know how anyone can defend this release

This is not an annual release product (3 year cycle in fact!) and this is so incredibly "nothing" of an update, it boggles the mind

The new Mini won’t thrill many people. But calling it a “nothing’ update is unfair. To wit:

1) Upgrade from A15 to A17 chip. Despite both chips being binned, the A17 still brings a substantial boost in performance.

2) A doubling of RAM from 4GB to 8GB. Probably more important than the chip upgrade. And it brings access to AI if you want it.

3) A doubling of storage from 64GB to 128GB.

4) Wifi 6E.

Again, I’m not sure what unrealistic specs you are looking for but the above specs add up to a much better device. It’s not nothing.

 

[satchmo]

No. Upgrades that are just done by press release like this means the October event is too packed and they want to just get this out of the way and not spend any time on the mini in the event.

The 32" iMac is going to need a lot of air time.

 

[Biro]

Is the general public really out there clamoring for "Apple Intelligence enabled hardware"?

Every normie I know basically wants nothing to do with AI or similar things

I’m one who doesn’t care about AI either. But I’ll take that doubling of RAM to 8GB. The same with a doubling of storage to 128GB.

 

[NMBob]

No but it is 30% jellier

Or maybe 30% more coagulated.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

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

MacBooks don't have Face ID either.

I find it odd that Apple only halfheartedly moved from Touch ID to Face ID.

 

[kaycrystal626]

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

Not every product need an event.

 

[chucker23n1]

I would love to have a iPad Mini for its size but can’t justify $600.00 for 256GB of memory. For that price it should include a M4 chip and a 120 Hz OLED screen.

It won't include an M4 chip at any price, because that produces too much heat.