The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple’s markets. [2][3][4][5] It featured similar internal specifications to the iPad 2, including its display resolution. The iPad Mini 2, with a A7 processor and a Retina Display, was announced on October 22, 2013, and released on November 12, 2013. The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014, alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.
Matching the new design language of the current Pro and Air iPads, features included a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port (instead of Lightning), top button with Touch ID (with home button removed), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. [9] At the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.
The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. [11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple’s iCloud online service. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype.
The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[a][22]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.
Apple sells a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos. They can act as a hotspot, sharing the Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector.
Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[37][38][39][40][41][42] with reviewers praising the device’s size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini. [43][45] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price. [42] The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.
iPad mini 7 2023 release date, price, specs, rumors
The 6th-generation iPad mini sports a complete redesign with a bigger display, Touch ID on the power button, USB C instead of Lightning, and an upgraded front camera. Apple typically uses the fall to update the mini but it’s not unprecedented to announce a new model in the spring: Back in December 2022, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the new iPad mini won’t arrive until late 2023 or early 2024.
Additionally, Apple is currently working on a new version of the iPad mini equipped with a new processor as the main selling point, and the mass shipment is expected to start by the end of 2023 or in 1H24. The arrival of the redesigned iPad mini 6th generation saw a $100 increase in price over the previous model to $499. You’ll have noticed from Kuo’s tweet above that there is an expectation the new iPad mini will feature a more impressive processor than it does currently. Kuo reported in December that the iPad mini’s “main selling point” would be the new processor. On the current iPad mini 6th generation, the base model starts off with a rather paltry 64GB of storage.
Although Apple has something of a history of giving base models low storage capacities, we think it would be a wise move to upgrade the entry-level iPad mini 7th generation to at least 128GB. File sizes are growing all the time, due to higher-quality cameras and software, so doubling the existing 64GB would be a very consumer-friendly solution. It’s been surprisingly quiet on the rumor front, which probably means the iPad mini 7 design will be largely the same as the 6th-gen model. Apple is apparently talking to LG, Samsung, and other companies regarding active matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs).
A post on a South Korean forum in November 2021 indicated Apple had ordered 8.3-inch displays from Samsung that support 120Hz maximum refresh rates. This would address the minor issue of “jelly scrolling” that some users have complained about with the current iPad mini.
We remain skeptical of a ProMotion upgrade as it’s one of the main differentiators between the standard and Pro devices Apple sells. One of the most obvious changes to the iPad mini 6th generation was the new palette of colors that Apple made available.
While you can currently select between space gray, pink, purple, and starlight, there are several interesting hues available on the iPad Air when it received its new look in fall 2021, including silver, rose gold, green, and sky blue. However, the iPhone 15 introduced an extremely light palette of colors so it’s unclear which direction Apple will go. And check our roundup of the best iPad mini deals for the latest bargains on the current range.
iPad Mini (5th generation)
It shares a similar design to the iPad Mini 4 and features the Apple A12 Bionic chip, 64 or 256GB storage, a more modernly upgraded 7.9-inch Retina Display with support for Apple Pencil (1st Generation), True Tone display and Bluetooth 5.0. iFixit’s teardown shows this iPad Mini is equipped with an upgraded 3GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the same as the iPhone XR. It has a True Tone display, which allows the LCD to adapt to ambient lighting to change its color and intensity in different environments. [8] The iPad Mini 5 includes a Touch ID home button. The Apple A12 Bionic chip powering the fifth-generation iPad Mini has a 66% higher clock speed than its predecessor, which had a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor; (the Apple A8 in the previous generation was clocked higher than in the iPhone 6). The Verge rated the Mini 5 as a 8.5 out of 10, praising that it has the same specs as the larger iPad Air and had solid performance while noting that it had a “seven-year-old exterior design with huge bezels” and uses a Lightning port instead of USB-C.[10]
Buy iPad mini
Just answer a few questions regarding the model and condition, and we will provide an estimated trade-in value◊◊ or a simple way to recycle it for free if it’s not eligible for credit. If you buy online and choose to pay with Apple Card Monthly Installments, we’ll instantly apply your estimated trade-in value to the purchase of your new iPad.
iPad mini 7 2023 release date, price, specs, rumors
The 6th-generation iPad mini sports a complete redesign with a bigger display, Touch ID on the power button, USB C instead of Lightning, and an upgraded front camera. Apple typically uses the fall to update the mini but it’s not unprecedented to announce a new model in the spring: Back in December 2022, respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the new iPad mini won’t arrive until late 2023 or early 2024. Additionally, Apple is currently working on a new version of the iPad mini equipped with a new processor as the main selling point, and the mass shipment is expected to start by the end of 2023 or in 1H24. The arrival of the redesigned iPad mini 6th generation saw a $100 increase in price over the previous model to $499. You’ll have noticed from Kuo’s tweet above that there is an expectation the new iPad mini will feature a more impressive processor than it does currently. Kuo reported in December that the iPad mini’s “main selling point” would be the new processor. On the current iPad mini 6th generation, the base model starts off with a rather paltry 64GB of storage. Although Apple has something of a history of giving base models low storage capacities, we think it would be a wise move to upgrade the entry-level iPad mini 7th generation to at least 128GB. File sizes are growing all the time, due to higher-quality cameras and software, so doubling the existing 64GB would be a very consumer-friendly solution. It’s been surprisingly quiet on the rumor front, which probably means the iPad mini 7 design will be largely the same as the 6th-gen model. Apple is apparently talking to LG, Samsung, and other companies regarding active matrix OLEDs (AMOLEDs).
A post on a South Korean forum in November 2021 indicated Apple had ordered 8.3-inch displays from Samsung that support 120Hz maximum refresh rates. This would address the minor issue of “jelly scrolling” that some users have complained about with the current iPad mini. We remain skeptical of a ProMotion upgrade as it’s one of the main differentiators between the standard and Pro devices Apple sells.
One of the most obvious changes to the iPad mini 6th generation was the new palette of colors that Apple made available.
While you can currently select between space gray, pink, purple, and starlight, there are several interesting hues available on the iPad Air when it received its new look in fall 2021, including silver, rose gold, green, and sky blue. However, the iPhone 15 introduced an extremely light palette of colors so it’s unclear which direction Apple will go.
And check our roundup of the best iPad mini deals for the latest bargains on the current range.
iPad mini: Buyer’s Guide, Should You Buy?
As the iPad mini is now 18 months old and work on a new model is underway, those who want the latest hardware should wait for a refresh to buy. The iPad Air features a Smart Connector on its rear to connect to keyboard cases and its larger, 10.9-inch display is better for productivity tasks and media consumption.
Amazon.com: Apple iPad Mini (6th Generation): with A15 Bionic chip, 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi 6, 12MP front/12MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Space Gray : Electronic
Hence, I bought this iPad mini during prime day (awesome deal! I decided to pay the extra $$$ to get the larger memory so that I can have the freedom to download movies and tv shows for when I don’t have Wi-Fi.
I use my iPad for reading, streaming movies/tv shows, as a planner, as a coloring book and sketchbook, and surfing the internet.
I will say, battery life is subpar, especially when compared with my older iPad Pro.
I guess the newer models don’t hold a charge as long, but when I travel I bring an Anker portable battery with me, just in case. It only happens in portrait mode when you’re scrolling quickly, and because it’s an issue I expected, I’m not going to fuss over or complain about it.
This isn’t as heavy as my iPad Air, I can easily hold it in one hand, which makes it perfect for reading and watching shows.
Apple iPad Mini (7th gen) wishlist: All the features I want to see
Some of us prefer a smaller pad that can be easily carried but offers more screen real estate than the typical smartphone. While some good small Android tablets are out there, none are quite as convincing as Apple’s iPad Mini series. It is designed beautifully, has excellent performance, solid battery life, and you can add 5G connectivity. This connector can transfer both data and power, making it a very convenient addition I wish to see in the next iPad Mini. While the 7th gen iPad Mini manages to get much thinner bottom and top bezels, largely thanks to the removal of the home button, these are still pretty significant. In our iPad Mini (6th generation) review we mention that the included 20W charger doesn’t do much to juice up the device quickly.
The iPad Mini (6th generation) Liquid Retina IPS LCD display is pretty good, but it could be better. Popular tech Twitter user @FromTron shared a Korean forum post in late 2021, in which it was rumored that Samsung Display shipped an 8.3-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate for testing.
Current Apple devices with 120Hz refresh rates label this feature as “ProMotion.” While I’m hoping for higher refresh rates like what ProMotion offers in other products, analyst Ross Young mentioned on Twitter that this isn’t likely the case. We’ve become accustomed to seeing these little pads carrying powerful processors, usually the same as their iPhone counterparts. The 2021 iPad Mini came with the same Apple A15 Bionic processor the iPhone 13 series carried in 2021 when both launched.
Similarly, I hope (and expect) Apple to put a next-gen chipset in its next iPad Mini. Especially considering noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned that the tablet would have an upgraded processor and that it would be a “main selling point.” They tend to be a secondary addition to more significant announcements, and Apple is no longer constantly releasing one yearly. Additionally, we’ve started to hear rumors of the next-gen iPad Mini 7, even if very few.
iPad Mini
The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple’s markets. [2][3][4][5] It featured similar internal specifications to the iPad 2, including its display resolution. The iPad Mini 2, with a A7 processor and a Retina Display, was announced on October 22, 2013, and released on November 12, 2013. The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014, alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay. Matching the new design language of the current Pro and Air iPads, features included a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port (instead of Lightning), top button with Touch ID (with home button removed), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. [9] At the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.
The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. [11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple’s iCloud online service. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype. The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.
On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[a][22]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.
Apple sells a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos. They can act as a hotspot, sharing the Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB. Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector.
Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[37][38][39][40][41][42] with reviewers praising the device’s size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini.
[43][45] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price. [42] The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.
The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)
It’s not only durable (complete with a rigid bumper), but it has a magnetized cover that stays shut and a flap that allows you to position the screen at eight different angles. It connects via Apple’s Smart Connector, meaning you never need to tinker with Bluetooth or bother charging it. The keyboard is powered by AAA batteries, which lasted us around four months, so you don’t have to worry about carrying a charger around. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (to view content comfortably and hands-free) or you can use the included stand at your desk. Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $60: Regardless of the iPad model, ports are limited.
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