Nick Fernandez/Android Authority
Larger tablets are great, but they’re not for everyone. Some of us prefer a smaller panel that can be easily carried around, but offers more screen real estate than an average smartphone. While there are some small Android tablets available, none are as compelling as Apple’s iPad Mini series. The next device we don’t see from the Cupertino giant is the iPad Mini (7th generation).
The latest iteration is the sixth generation iPad Mini. It’s beautifully designed, has excellent performance, solid battery life, and you can add 5G connectivity. What could make it better and what can we expect from the new iPad Mini? In this roundup, we’ll round up all the rumors and leaks, as well as our predictions for what the iPad Mini 7 could bring to the table. Let’s dive into what we know and what we want to see.
Will there be an iPad Mini (7th generation)?
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The iPad Mini, great as it was, was never seen as a staple in Apple’s portfolio. They tend to be a minor addition to more important announcements, and Apple no longer makes an annual announcement on a continuous basis. iPad Mini launches all over the place. We’ll go deeper into those details in the next section.
What matters is whether or not we will see an iPad Mini. If we had to bet on it, we would say that Apple is not going to kill the iPad Mini series. It’s the top dog on the mini tablet market and still has a lot to offer. In fact, the iPad Mini (6th generation) was the second best-selling tablet in the first quarter of 2022, according to IDC. It was second only to the regular iPad in 2021.
Plus, we’re starting to hear rumors of the next generation iPad Mini 7, even if they’re quite a few. The possibilities are coming. It’s just a matter of time.
What is the iPad Mini (7th generation) release date?
- First generation iPad Mini: October 2012
- iPad Mini 2nd generation: October 2013
- Third generation iPad Mini: October 2014
- Fourth generation iPad Mini: September 2015
- Fifth generation iPad Mini: March 2019
- iPad Mini sixth generation: September 2021
You’ll quickly notice that most iPad Mini releases are announced around October or September. The only exception was the iPad Mini (5th generation), which saw an announcement in March. All iPad Minis were released shortly after their announcement. Usually the same day, or a few days later.
The iPad Mini (7th generation) should be released in September or October.
Given the release date of the iPad Mini, we can assume that the iPad Mini 7 will be announced sometime in September or October, but most likely in September, as this is the most common case in the latest launches. Of course, this is an assumption based on past history, and sometimes those dates change.
But what we are not sure about is whether or not there will be a 2023 version. We may have to wait until 2024 to see the next iteration. Apple Analyst tweeted Ming-Chi Kuo Late 2022 Mass shipping of the new tablet won’t begin until late 2023 or during the first half of 2024. This means that while there’s little hope for a 2023 launch, it’s likely to be 2024.
What features and specifications does the iPad Mini (7th generation) have?
Nick Fernandez/Android Authority
We haven’t seen too many iPad Mini (7th generation) leaks yet, but a few around give us a good look at what could be to come. We can also make some assumptions about what might happen.
processor upgrade
Apple A16 Bionic
Although the iPad Minis are smaller in size, they are not budget tablets. We’re used to seeing these little pads carrying powerful processors, usually just like their iPhone counterparts.
The 2021 iPad Mini came with the same Apple A15 Bionic processor that the iPhone 13 series carried in 2021, when they were launched. Likewise, we expect to see Apple put the next generation chip in the upcoming iPad Mini. Especially considering that Ming-Chi Kuo also mentioned in his tweet that it will have an upgraded processor, and that it will be a “major selling point”.
The seventh-generation iPad Mini is likely to be either the Apple A16 Bionic used in the iPhone 14 Pro series, or the A17 Bionic. Some think it might even be the M-series processor, which powers the more powerful iPads — like the iPad Pro M2 and iPad Air M1 — and all recent Mac computers.
Design changes?
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The current iPad Mini follows the same design that started with the iPhone 12, and continued through the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 series. Apple seems to be fond of this design language with squared edges and a streamlined body. This was a big change for the current iPad Mini, so we expect the design to be more or less the same. However, nothing is official yet, and we haven’t heard rumors about it.
We also expect the screen size to remain at 8.3 inches. And since the iPad Mini (6th generation) already uses USB-C, and Apple is forced to move away from Lightning, we assume the new iPad Mini (7th generation) will also stick with USB-C.
We may see more color options for the iPad Mini (7th generation).
Something we think could happen is more color options being added. You can actually get the current iPad Mini in four colors; Space gray, pink, purple and stars. But Apple has been getting more adventurous in this department lately. iPhone 14 can be had in Midnight, Starlight, Red, Blue, Purple, and Yellow colours. Plus, the standard iPad (10th generation) has funnier colors; Blue, pink, yellow and silver. We wouldn’t be surprised if the new iPad Mini (7th generation) got more options, too, or at least more exciting options.
A better offer would be nice
Nick Fernandez/Android Authority
The iPad Mini (6th generation) Liquid Retina IPS LCD display is very good, but it could be better. We’re pleased with its 1,488 x 2,266 resolution and 327ppi pixel density, but one of the main complaints in our review was that it only has a 60Hz refresh rate. The current standard for high-quality products is 120 Hz.
A 120Hz panel may happen to the next iPad Mini. Popular Tech Twitter User @employee He shared a post on a Korean forum in late 2021, where Samsung Display was rumored to have shipped an 8.3-inch monitor with a 120Hz refresh rate for testing. Current Apple devices with 120Hz refresh rates call this feature “ProMotion”.
It would be nice to see 120Hz on an iPad Mini (7th generation) screen, but that seems unlikely.
While we’re hoping for higher refresh rates like what ProMotion offers in other products, Analyst Ross Young mentioned on Twitter That this is likely not the case, as the iPad Mini uses an a-Si LCD screen, which is not compatible with ProMotion. Apple will need to switch the board to an Oxide LCD.
Apple offers high-quality panels for its high-end iPads. The iPad Pro 12.9 from 2022 has a Mini-LED display, for example. We don’t expect to see this technology make it to the iPad Mini, but it sure is good to hope.
How much will the iPad Mini (7th generation) cost?
Rumors and leaks are pretty sparse at the moment, and we haven’t heard anything semi-convincing about the price of the upcoming iPad Mini. The iPad Mini has already seen a $100 price increase with the sixth generation upgrade, though. It starts at $499, while the fifth generation iPad Mini was priced at $399.
Since we’re expecting a less drastic upgrade in the iPad Mini (7th generation), we can expect pricing to remain identical or very similar to the current $499 MSRP.
Apple iPad Mini (7th generation): What we want to see
Could we have a smart connector?
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Newer iPads now feature what Apple calls the Smart Connector. The iPad Mini is the only one missing it. This is a three-pin connection that attaches to accessories magnetically. Apple uses them to connect iPads to accessories such as keyboards. This connector can transfer data and power, making it a very convenient addition that we’d like to see in the next iPad Mini.
Even the most affordable iPad (10th generation) has it, so we see no reason why it wouldn’t make it to the next iPad Mini. And if you get a Smart Connector, chances are Apple will release other compatible accessories to go along with it.
Thinner edges
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While the seventh-generation iPad Mini has managed to have slimmer bottom and top bezels, thanks in large part to the removal of the Home button, they’re still very important. 2021 iPad Mini has a screen-to-body ratio of 77.4%. This is not much compared to most other high end devices.
However, the edges aren’t quite as awful either. And many of you would love to have a nice space to hold your tablet without the risk of accidental touches.
Faster shipping
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In our review of the iPad Mini (6th generation), we mention that the included 20W charger doesn’t do much to charge the device quickly. It took us about half an hour to get from 10% to 50%, but going from 10% to 100% extended that time to about 90 minutes.
We know Apple has never been on the cutting edge of fast charging, but a boost would definitely be nice. Since this device is already so small, wireless charging would probably be a welcome addition.
Other smaller upgrades
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Apple will likely bring incremental upgrades throughout the iPad Mini experience. We could see camera improvements, more base storage, an upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E, and more. Of course, these are just assumptions. We will update this article with more specification details as they become available.
What do you want to see in the seventh generation iPad Mini?
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