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iPad Mini 7 Coming Next Month: What to Expect

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Rumors strongly suggest Apple will release the seventh-generation iPad mini in November, nearly three years after the last refresh. Here's a roundup of what we're expecting from the next version of Apple's small form factor tablet, based on the latest rumors and reports.

iPad-mini-review-thumb.jpg

Design and Display

The new iPad mini is likely to retain its compact 8.3-inch display and overall design introduced with the sixth generation. However, one rumor suggests Apple may address the "jelly scrolling" issue by rotating the screen assembly. This change would be made to minimize the noticeable lag when scrolling vertically in portrait orientation, which is a point of frustration for some users of the current model.

Performance Boost

While the iPad Pro and iPad Air now boast M-series chips, the iPad mini 7 is expected to stick with the A-series. It's likely to feature either the A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro or the A18 chip found in the iPhone 16. This upgrade should provide a significant performance boost over the A15 Bionic in the current model, as well as provide support for Apple Intelligence features.

Connectivity Improvements

The new iPad mini is almost certain to include Wi-Fi 6E support, allowing connection to the 6GHz band on compatible routers. Bluetooth 5.3 is also expected, bringing the latest wireless connectivity standards to the compact tablet. Cellular models may transition entirely to eSIM, potentially eliminating the physical nano-SIM slot.

Camera Enhancements

Apple might relocate the front-facing camera to the landscape edge, as seen in the latest iPad Air. This change could improve the video calling experience, especially when using the device in landscape orientation. The camera may also receive upgrades like HDR 4 support and a wider aperture.

Apple Pencil Compatibility

The iPad mini 7 will likely support the Apple Pencil Pro, which introduced features like squeeze gestures, haptic feedback, and Find My integration. Apple Pencil Pro hover functionality may also be included.

Color Options

While the current iPad mini is available in space gray, starlight, pink, and purple, the new model may adopt a color palette similar to the iPad Air. This could mean the introduction of blue and the removal of pink from the lineup.

Release and Availability

With supplies of the current iPad mini dwindling in stores, a November release seems increasingly likely. Indeed, well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman recently said that Apple could release a new iPad mini alongside new M4 Macs in early November, potentially on the first day of the month. The new model is likely to maintain similar pricing to its predecessor, starting at $499 for the Wi-Fi model.

Future iPad Models

Rumors suggest that Apple is developing a foldable iPad mini and incorporating OLED display technology into the device, though neither of these updates are anticipated for 2024. An OLED display or a foldable iPad mini is not expected to arrive until 2026, 2027, or possibly even later.

Summing Up

By all accounts, Apple's iPad mini 7 will be a modest yet meaningful upgrade, bringing Apple Intelligence support as well as performance and usability enhancements, rather than a dramatic redesign. As always, we'll have to wait for Apple's official announcement to confirm these details.

Article Link: iPad Mini 7 Coming Next Month: What to Expect
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/10/08/ipad-mini-7-coming-next-month-what-to-expect/
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We expect:

Apple to unveil a stunning new iPad Mini with the world’s most advanced display in a small form factor — providing a remarkable visual experience, M4 chip, and Apple Pencil support

Featuring a gorgeous new thin and light design, breakthrough display, and outrageously fast M4 performance with powerful AI capabilities, the new iPad Mini takes a huge leap forward.

iPad Mini empowers a broad set of users and is perfect for anyone who wants the ultimate iPad experience — with its combination of the world’s best displays, extraordinary outrageously powerful performance of our latest M-series chips, and advanced accessories — all in an ultra portable design. Today, we’re taking it even further with the new, stunningly thin and light iPad Mini, our biggest update ever to iPad Mini. You are going to love it.
 
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The camera moving on the full sized iPads makes sense because they get used a lot with a keyboard or Stage Manager. However with the Mini, I think most people are going to be using the device in portrait mode almost exclusively, so the camera should stay put.
 
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Resolving the jelly by only rotating the screen simply means the jelly then shows when using it in landscape mode... which is a common way to use it for many things- such as web browsing... which is a common point of complaint when one sees jelly.

I own the 6 and see jelly... but don't care. Hopefully besides just rotating the screen, the screen quality actually improves as well.

Bring on the 7. My next upgrade will probably be the 9 or 10 in about 2029-30 or so. My last hop was from 2 to 6. A great thing about Mini is that it has LONG USE LEGS. Since Apple releases one and then leaves it as THE one for a few years, it doesn't seem to suffer from the "long in tooth" effect that impacts iPhones with new models rolling out every year. Funny how that works like that. ;)
 
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So frustrating! They could make excellent iPad Mini (same for iPhone SE), but for some reason they assign their worst (/best?) Evil Downgrade Engineers to make them unappealing.
 
It is an unpopular opinion, but the Jelly scrolling has been a non issue since I picked mine up on launch day. (to clarify I use mine in Landscape for photo / video editing on the fly). The biggest thing I dislike about the Mini is the fact that they omitted USB 3.1 Gen2 speeds from the USB-C port.

Nearly as fast and as capable as the 1st generation iPad Pro 11" (and fits in a (big) pocket) , outside of the slow file copy speeds.

I really want to see an iPad Pro Mini™, and hopefully one with OLED or better. I can only dream...

::Edit::
Added clarification
 
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jimmirehman said:
I hate the fact that I have to buy a new pencil. It’s an accessory it should be compatible with multiple generations of the same product.
Click to expand...

It is an accessory that is compatible with multiple generations. It came out in 2018.

This new change is due to the new camera orientation that people wanted. Also, Pencil Pro is better than the previous pencil, so it’s not just change for change’s sake.

If Apple kept compatibility with the previous pencil, Pencil Pro wouldn’t work with the new Mini, and people would be angry about that. “Apple wants us to buy the more expensive iPad just to have Pencil Pro!”

This is the right decision.
 
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840quadra said:
It is an unpopular opinion, but the Jelly scrolling has been a non issue since I picked mine up on launch day. The biggest thing I dislike about the Mini is the fact that they omitted USB 3.1 Gen2 speeds from the USB-C port.

Nearly as fast and as capable as the 1st generation iPad Pro 11" (and fits in a (big) pocket) , outside of the slow file copy speeds.

I really want to see an iPad Pro Mini™, and hopefully one with OLED or better. I can only dream...
Click to expand...
Guess some people can't unsee it once noticed. Same from 120Hz to 60Hz if you also have an Android Phone
 
I’m curious to see what a foldable iPad mini looks like! I love the size of the mini but it feels a bit redundant with my iPhone, especially since iPhones (especially the pro line) generally have better screens and better app support.
 
I remember when it launched and “jelly scrolling issue” was not an “issue”(according to Macrumors) . Definitively it was not apple being a Scrooge a cheaping out on high quality displays, noooo
 
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iPay said:
Guess some people can't unsee it once noticed. Same from 120Hz to 60Hz if you also have an Android Phone
Click to expand...
Trust me I see it. Not as bad as the iPad 3rd generation (I still have one in use), and about the same as the M1 MacBook Pro if you use spaces and swipe between desktops. I also see it on my M3 iPad Pro when holding in portrait mode and scroll fast.

It's an anomaly with LCD screens, just more noticeable on the Mini. I tend to use my iPads in Landscape so completely a non-issue for me overall.
 
I love my iPad mini, probably my favorite iPad, but the only update I'm actively wanting for it is Face ID. It's sort of annoying to have this device be most similar to my iPhone and other iPad but have a different method of unlocking. My second thing would be for the volume/lock buttons to all be in similar places on the device.
 
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I’m excited for this. I loved the mini, sold it because it was too small for what I use an iPad for, but I really miss it for travel and book reading so I’m tempted to get this when it comes out.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
Resolving the jelly by only rotating the screen simply means the jelly then shows when using it in landscape mode... which is a common way to use it for many things- such as web browsing... which is a common point of complaint when one sees jelly.
Click to expand...

I believe the thought is that the jelly scrolling is less noticeable with the wider field of view in landscape mode. It's certainly less noticeable in landscape mode on my iPad Air. We'll just have to see. I generally only use my mini in portrait however, unless watching a movie.

I'm hoping for thinner and lighter in this version, but I admit it's highly unlikely. The rumors for the update don't have me thinking I'll upgrade. :(
 
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