The release date of Apple’s long-expected big thing, the Apple iPad Mini 7, is now the subject of a flurry of rumors. This tablet promises to feature tempting upgrades and technology.
Think about a tablet that combines performance and portability in an elegant way. Consider a gadget that fits neatly into your backpack or purse while still offering a ton of innovative functionality. That’s the new iPad Mini 7 from Apple, which is set to completely redefine what a compact, ultra-portable tablet is.
We will explore the juicy rumors around the iPad Mini 7 device in this guide and give you an inside scoop on what to expect from Apple’s newest mini tablet. We’ll also analyze the expected release date for the iPad Mini 7, price, specs, and other speculations that could make this next-generation tablet the must-have gadget of the year.
Table of Contents
When is The iPad Mini 7 Release Date?
Regarding upgrades, it appears that the iPad mini is the last device that Apple considers. Between 2012 and 2015, Apple released a new model yearly. But there was a four-year gap until the fifth-generation iPad mini was released in 2019. And 2021 saw the release of the current generation.
The iPad mini has no specific month when it was released in the past, compared to iPhone. Meanwhile, the release date for iPad mini 5 was March 2019, whereas the release date for iPad mini 6 was September 2021. Then, other iPad models that were formerly released happened in October instead of September.
So, considering the most recent two-year differences between the previous models, September or October 2023 appeared to be the ideal release date for the iPad mini 7. But according to a tweet made by Ming-Chi Kuo (Apple’s analyst), the iPad mini refresh is unlikely to commence mass production until the first quarter of 2024.
Again, in November 2023, he published an article that moved that estimated release further (to the second half of 2024). So, going by all these factors, we strongly estimate that the release date for the new iPad mini 7 will be September or October 2024.
New iPad Mini 7 Expected Price Rumors
The 6th-generation iPad mini is more expensive than the 5th-generation. So, there might not be as much increase with the new iPad mini 7.
Remember, Apple typically increases their prices when they revamp or make significant changes to their products. If we’re to consider it this way, the new iPad mini 7’s retail price will start at $499.
However, there would be an increment for the cellular version with more storage capacity. Meanwhile, if the OLED panel rumors are true, we can expect an increase in the price.
There was a $200 rise in the price tag of the recently launched iPad Pro models with OLED panels. So, we might experience a similar thing with this latest iPad mini 7 if the rumors are accurate.
Apple iPad Mini 7: Specs
There is an anticipation that the new Apple iPad Mini 7 will feature a more powerful processor than what it currently has. In addition, we’re expecting a few minor internal enhancements.
A16 Processor
The iPad mini 6 features the A15 bionic chip just like it is in the pHone 13, mini, Pro, and Max. But it is down-clocked compared to the chip found in the iPhone 13 series. This is what to expect from the new generation alongside how that chip compares to the other chips in the range.
- iPad Air – M2
- iPad Pro – M4
- iPad mini (sixth gen) – A15, the same way it’s seen in the iPhone 13 series. We expect the next generation to have A16, the way it is in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.
- iPad (10th generation) – A14, similar to the iPhone 12 series. It is expected that the next generation will get A16, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15.
The iPad mini’s “man selling point” would be its new processor, according to a December report by Kuo. While he did not pinpoint the actual processor that time, we anticipate that it’s the A16 chip seen in the iPhone 14 Pro and Max, and the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus.
You may be considering the iPad Air and thinking if the iPad mini will have an M1 chip similar to the one that was in the iPad Air before. Maybe in the long run, Apple might consider it. But according to rumors about the iPad Air release, Apple used the M1 chip because there was less availability of the A16 at that time.
Read Also: The 5 Best iPad Mini Wallpapers of 2024
Storage
The current iPad mini 6th generation features a base model that begins with a paltry 64GB storage space. Considering that you may like to have games, several apps, TV shows, books, movies, comics, etc, this amount of space could be a challenge.
While Apple is known to offer low storage capacity for base models, we think it would be more appropriate to improve the entry-level iPad mini 7th gen to at least 128GB. Because of high-quality cameras and software, file sizes are becoming larger. So, upgrading the existing storage capacity to 128GB wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Meanwhile, there’s still the likelihood that the storage’s upper limit could be increased. Currently, 256GB is the most available storage on the iPad mini 6th generation. However, it would only be more logical to upgrade to 512GB, especially if the baseline storage upgrades to 128GB.
Battery Life And Colors
Although the iPad mini’s small size restricts its battery capacity, Apple is expected to optimize battery life. Making it equal to or even surpassing the current model’s 8-hour usage will be a wise thing to do.
While there wouldn’t be much changes in the design, there may be new color options. Rumors indicate that this new generation will have color shades like the most recent iPad models (colors like deep wine-red or yellow).
Camera And Design Improvements
Although this is not the primary focus for the Apple iPad mini 7, you can expect to see a few upgrades to its camera after many years without one. According to rumors, it will include a 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera and a 12-megapixel rear camera. It might also feature ProRes video recording and Photonic Engine.
Given that the iPad mini 6 underwent a significant redesign, Apple will most likely not change the external appearance of its new tablet. Therefore, it will still retain its squared-off edges with all screen look.
Screen Improvements
We’re hoping that the new Apple iPad mini 7 maintains its LCD screen instead of moving to a 120Hz ProMotion or an OLED screen, which is typically for Apple’s high-end tablets such as the iPad Pro.
Furthermore, Apple will likely use design tweaks (like rotating the display assembly) to fix the “jelly scrolling” issue, a challenge in the current iPad mini 6. One side of the screen appears to refresh more quickly than the other due to this issue. And it is especially noticeable when scrolling through text in portrait mode.
With these adjustments, Apple hopes to enhance visual stability without having to drastically alter display technology.
Bottom Line
Apple’s next compact tablet is going to be revolutionary. The excitement surrounding this next big thing is palpable, from juicy rumors about its design and price to intriguing leaks about its specs.
In all honesty, the speculations have been rather exciting. There have been talks about a very fast processor, stunning Retina displays, and a streamlined design that will improve tablet experience.
But beyond the hardware and technical specifications, the iPad Mini 7 represents Apple’s relentless pursuit of innovation and its dedication to expanding the capabilities of what a compact tablet can achieve.
So, as we eagerly await the official launch of this highly anticipated device, let the expectation and excitement continue to grow.