iPad mini mini 7 worth it over mini 6

[hotr32]

I have a Mini 6 64gb cellular right now, unfortunately 64gb isn’t enough space for me, here’s my dilemma:
Apple has the Mini 7 256 cellular for $750
Best Buy has a Geek Squad Certified Mini 6 256 cellular for $500.
Apple with give 200 for my current Mini,
Best Buy will give me $140.
So:
Apple = $550
Best Buy = $360
For the ones that switched, is it really better, especially “future proofing” to get the Mini 7? Or get a bigger Mini 6 and save $190?
I use the Mini frequently for my business, because it’s portable, for reference I have the M2 12.9 and 11 iPads both with 1TB, so I don’t really need the mini for “Pro” use, the Mini is used in meetings for notes, estimates, web use, email, and occasionally pictures.
I currently use the Apple Folio, so I can keep the same case, and I have the Apple Pencil 2, I would have to get the Pencil Pro, thus bringing up the total.
This is my dilemma right now, thanks in advance for all the responses.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I have a Mini 6 64gb cellular right now, unfortunately 64gb isn’t enough space for me, here’s my dilemma:
Apple has the Mini 7 256 cellular for $750
Best Buy has a Geek Squad Certified Mini 6 256 cellular for $500.
Apple with give 200 for my current Mini,
Best Buy will give me $140.
So:
Apple = $550
Best Buy = $360
For the ones that switched, is it really better, especially “future proofing” to get the Mini 7? Or get a bigger Mini 6 and save $190?
I use the Mini frequently for my business, because it’s portable, for reference I have the M2 12.9 and 11 iPads both with 1TB, so I don’t really need the mini for “Pro” use, the Mini is used in meetings for notes, estimates, web use, email, and occasionally pictures.
I currently use the Apple Folio, so I can keep the same case, and I have the Apple Pencil 2, I would have to get the Pencil Pro, thus bringing up the total.
This is my dilemma right now, thanks in advance for all the responses.

I upgraded my mini 6 to the mini 7 last year, and there hasn’t been much difference in terms of speed and opening up apps. I can say that my safari webpage that I last use, opens back up to that webpage and does not reload as it used to on the mini 6. Apps open just a tiny bit faster which isn’t a big deal to me. I have the same amount of storage space as the mini 6. I only hated buying the Apple Pencil Pro as my Pencil 2 doesn’t work with the mini 7, but I can use it on my M2 12.9 iPad Pro. The mini 6 would’ve lasted me until the next iPad Mini as I only had the mini 6 for a 18 months before upgrading. I only upgraded to the Mini 7, because of the $350 trade-in I received from Best Buy and the price match with Amazon. I ended up paying $263.94 for a 256GB WiFi only mini 7.

 

[rui no onna]

For the ones that switched, is it really better, especially “future proofing” to get the Mini 7? Or get a bigger Mini 6 and save $190?

iOS is only going to get more bloated as years go by. Personally, the constant reloads and crashes have been bothering me even in iOS 16 so I'm glad to have the A17 Pro + 8GB RAM.

Also, some websites like Best Buy and B&H Photo got pretty sluggish on the mini 6 after I've opened a few tabs. Meanwhile, the mini 7 is handling the same tasks much more smoothly.

 

[muzzy996]

I notice the difference on my new 7 vs the 6 that I had, less page reloads and smoother switching between applications. To me, if you're going to upgrade for space just pay the extra and get the 7.

 

[It’s always something]

In my opinion the 8GB of RAM is a great bit of future-proofing. Since this will be/is the new minimum, apps will eventually begin to take advantage of it in ways that just won’t fit in less memory than that, meaning the mini 6 will be left out in the cold.

 

[TechRunner]

If Apple Intelligence matters to you, you'll need the Mini 7.

 

[geta]

You should bite the bullet and buy the Mini 7 for the newer CPU, 8GB RAM and bigger storage.

 

[jonnykuf]

If you don’t need the Mini 7’s faster chip or USB-C, I’d go with the Mini 6 256GB from Best Buy. For your use case (notes, web, email), the Mini 6 should hold up fine for a few more years

 

[geta]

If you don’t need the Mini 7’s faster chip or USB-C, I’d go with the Mini 6 256GB from Best Buy. For your use case (notes, web, email), the Mini 6 should hold up fine for a few more years

The Mini 6 also has usb-c.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

One more thing to consider: Your decision will be for the next 3 years. So, the real question is not if the mini is better now, but in 1-2 years. From that perspective, I would jump to the 7 instantly.
Of course, you can also trade in the new mini 6 in a year or so...

Right now, the mini 7 does not have any practical and noticable advantage over the 6, at least nothing that would justify an upgrade, unless you really are using Apple AI.

Either way, there is no clear yes or nor to that question...

 

[davidbf1]

For me it was as simply a case of having an iPad Pro M4 11” and pencil pro (already had a regular Apple pencil 2), and wanted common pencil to work with both.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

No matter what you do, I would not spend over $500 on an iPad mini that will be four years old at the end of this year.
So basically, yeah, I would go for the Mini 7.
You said you needed more storage but you never specifically said you needed 256 GB, so why not split the difference?
The 128 GB Mini7 (which is still double the storage of your Mini6) is at Best Buy right now for $399.
Trade your old iPad mini in and it should be only $260.

 

[RoadWarrior56]

My advice, buy the mini 7, it is worth the extra money. It has more RAM and a faster processor, making it usable and updated for several additonal years, compared to the 6. The 7 will run the AI tools, if that is important to you. Finally, IMO, the Mini 6 display is terrible. The Mini 7 display is similar, but appears to be a bit better. At least I don’t appear to get instant eyestrain with the 7, as I did with the 6. And as a bonus, any cases or other accessories you have for the Mini 6, should still work with the Mini 7.

 

[kierennyc]

If you can afford it go for a cellular version. It’s a game changer especially for the mini which can go everywhere with you. Yes I know you can tether but it’s not nearly as convenient. You’ll also download less so can probably get away with 128GB storage.

 

[Frosty1]

Why do you need the 12.9 and 11? Just sell one of them and the mini and then get your mini 7

No need for both the bigger tablets.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Buying back a generation on something like a MBP or MBA can be cost effective as long as one builds in enough RAM because the chips are overpowered and upgrade annually. However the iPad Mini 6 came out in 2021; that is old. Do what you have to do to get into the latest Mini 7 generation. It will probably be a while before the 7 gets upgraded.

 

[hotr32]

If Apple Intelligence matters to you, you'll need the Mini 7.

So far Apple Intelligence isn’t necessary, and I honestly don’t use it.

For me it was as simply a case of having an iPad Pro M4 11” and pencil pro (already had a regular Apple pencil 2), and wanted common pencil to work with both.

I know eventually I’ll have to make this change, I just didn’t want to buy a new pencil if I didn’t have to right now.

No matter what you do, I would not spend over $500 on an iPad mini that will be four years old at the end of this year.
So basically, yeah, I would go for the Mini 7.
You said you needed more storage but you never specifically said you needed 256 GB, so why not split the difference?
The 128 GB Mini7 (which is still double the storage of your Mini6) is at Best Buy right now for $399.
Trade your old iPad mini in and it should be only $260.

This is one of the reasons holding me back, if I spend the money, I should get the 7, even thought the 6 is perfectly fine.
I would need to get the cellular version, so this would cost me $409 after trade in. And then eventually getting a new pencil.

If you can afford it go for a cellular version. It’s a game changer especially for the mini which can go everywhere with you. Yes I know you can tether but it’s not nearly as convenient. You’ll also download less so can probably get away with 128GB storage.

Definitely would need cellular, I’ve tried the tethering before, I found it slightly annoying in front of clients having to connect to my phone, the cellular connectivity is a great convenience.

Why do you need the 12.9 and 11? Just sell one of them and the mini and then get your mini 7

No need for both the bigger tablets.

The 12.9 was my wife’s, I’m still using it as my “school computer” until I finish my degree, it’s plenty powerful for that. The 11 has been my “daily” iPad, I actually use this mostly at home for billing and customer data, but am giving this to my brother since I can utilize the 12.9 for everything. One thing that was nice was taking my sim and going back and forth between my iPads, I realize that 7 won’t be so convenient anymore.

 

[MAlbi]

Hello hotr32,
Base storage mini 7 and ram are good options. Longetivity goes with mini 7 too.
I still have mini 5 256GB and usage is 121GB.
51GB photos, rest is apps & games, OS has 19GB.
Only thing to be concerned is money spent. If your need of more space is worth the upgrade. If you are decided to buy something, then yes go ahead and good luck with your new mini 7. Although if there is used available, search for unpacked and returned mini 7 could be worth trying.
EDIT: spelling

 

[Neil J. Squillante]

So:
Apple = $550
Best Buy = $360

Another option is to take advantage of the $100 discount at Amazon and trade in your iPad mini to Apple for a gift card that you can add to your Apple account. You'll eventually buy something from Apple.