The new Apple iPad mini A17 Pro review reveals impressive upgrades on the inside, including a powerful A17 Pro chip and faster USB-C port. However, it looks identical to the previous generation device and lacks some features that would make it stand out.
Features and Upgrades
- The new iPad mini has a powerful A17 Pro chip.
-
128 GB of base storage (double that of the last generation).
-
Compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
-
USB-C port is now twice as fast at transferring data.
-
Supports hardware accelerated ray-tracing and a neural engine running at double the speed.
Disappointments
-
The new iPad mini looks identical to the previous generation device, aside from a few new colors.
-
No front-facing camera on the landscape edge like every other iPad in Apple’s lineup.
-
Very little new features from the 2021 version.
Comparison with Other iPads
-
Not realistic for Apple to put ProMotion or Face ID in the iPad mini considering they skipped those upgrades for the new M2 iPad Air.
-
The gatekeeping of these features is starting to get tiresome, as it’s getting harder to say “iPad mini buyers won’t care about this”.
Recommendation
I would recommend the iPad mini 7 to those who don’t already have a relatively newer Apple tablet. For iPad mini 6 users, this is probably not the upgrade you were hoping for. But if you are on an iPad mini 5 or earlier, then this is a great upgrade.
Summary
The new iPad mini is a great tablet with impressive upgrades on the inside, but it looks identical to the previous generation device and lacks some features that would make it stand out. It’s more powerful than the base iPad and has the features of the iPad Air in a smaller package, making it a great option for those who want a small, portable tablet.
Comparison to Previous Generation
The new iPad mini is a great upgrade from the previous generation, but it’s not a significant change. The device looks identical to the 2021 version, aside from a few new colors. It doesn’t even have the front-facing camera on the landscape edge like every other iPad in Apple’s lineup.
Review of the Device
The mini’s screen has been mostly rectified, and the USB-C port is now twice as fast at transferring data. The device also works with Apple Pencil Pro, which has features like squeeze and barrel roll that allow for more customization of drawing tools. However, the average user may not notice the differences in processor speed.
I would recommend the iPad mini 7 to those who don’t already have a relatively newer Apple tablet. For iPad mini 6 users, this is probably not the upgrade you were hoping for. But if you are on an iPad mini 5 or (somehow) earlier, then this is a great upgrade.
