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Apple launched the sixth-generation iPad mini in September 2021, bringing the first major redesign to the device in its entire history – but when is the seventh-generation model expected to launch?

ipad-mini-7.jpg

While Apple updated the iPad mini annually from 2012 to 2016, updates thereafter became more infrequent, with just one minor refresh in March 2019 before 2021's redesign. As a device that now seems to stick around for longer in between updates, a hardware refresh in 2023 is not certain, but the seventh-generation iPad mini is the iPad model that is most actively rumored to potentially launch this year.

There have been few concrete rumors about the new iPad mini as yet, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that an update this year with a minor "spec bump" is not out of the question. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the seventh-generation iPad will begin mass shipments towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024 – so while a launch this year is possible, early 2024 seems most likely.

The iPad mini currently contains Apple's A15 Bionic chip. While it is slightly downclocked, the A15 Bionic puts the iPad mini on a level footing with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation Apple TV 4K. These six devices with the A15 chip are expected to remain on sale throughout 2023, meaning that the chip is likely to remain quite prevalent across Apple's product lineups.

As a result, the current iPad mini will contain relatively modern chip hardware throughout the entirety of this year. With features like second-generation Apple Pencil support and Center Stage, there is no pressing need to update the device this year and it is not clear what a new model could offer other than a newer chip like the A16 Bionic and more advanced camera hardware.


2023 appears to be shaping up to be a quiet year for iPad hardware refreshes, and while it is possible we could see some new models, the current picture suggests that new iPads this year are unlikely on the whole. 2024, on the other hand, looks like it will be a much more significant year for the iPad lineup.

Article Link: When Will Apple Launch the iPad Mini 7?
 
The current iPad Mini 6 is great, I love mine!

I can't think of very many improvements for a Mini 7, other than a faster processor ..... the Mini 6 already has "latest" hardware improvements like support for Apple Pencil 2 and also USB-C port.

Possibly a better camera, but other than Zoom, Facetime, and other videoconferencing uses, I don't see the iPad Minis being used as a primary camera/video device.

They do need to address (and fix) the so-called iPad Mini jelly scrolling issue.... which I have not seemed to notice on mine (fortunately).
 
If they do release an update this year, I think it’ll literally just be to put the A17 in mostly for efficiency improvements and… thats it.
Maybe hover support for the pencil, but outside of that I don’t expect anything else.
They absolutely will not put 120 Hz in the iPad mini though, that’s something they won’t do.
 
I have the mini 5, and the speakers just irk me. If I want to watch any video in portrait mode, I have to turn it upside down just so I can actually hear it. I wish they made it with 4 speakers like the pros.

The bottom of my mini usually rests on me, hence the covered speakers. And I use my mini in portrait usually for surfing, and as I’m not watching full blown video content with it, more short content on Twitter or something that I scroll through online and comes up, I don’t want to use it in landscape just to hear sound from these short vids.

I.e quad speakers please, or dual speakers on top.
 
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6 is superb! No complaints from me at all.

Wish: resurrect the headphone jack, as the internal space excuse doesn't seem to fit this form factor and the "antiquated" is still superior to "the future" in audio playback quality/capability... particularly with Apple going lossless and spatial. Those happy with Bluetooth shortcomings could continue to enjoy them. Those who want wired could get what they want too. A great DAC is already built inside iPad mini so just connect it to the most ubiquitous audio port in the world and everyone wins! Dongles are NOT the answer.

Wish 2: I do see "jelly scroll" but don't really care. However, if we're making wishes, put a better screen in a 7.

Wish 3: I'd be "first in line" for an iPad Mini Pro.
 
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iPad mini is a joke. It needs to go away. Same with iPhone SE.
it’s not a joke, it’s a one handed iPad solution instead of people holding even larger iPads with one hand. The 8.3” higher resolution screen is noticeable larger to look at than a 6.1” or 6.7” iPhone. Its battery lasts a long time. You can be using it normally for about 10 hours. I would not even consider it in the same class as a cheap SE phone. I pair mine with a 14 pro.
 
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