Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen) Release Date, Price & Specs

The release of the sixth-gen iPad mini in 2021 breathed new life into the device, offering a significant upgrade from its predecessors.

The iPad mini 6 featured an improved 8.3-inch display in a similar form factor to the previous model, along with a sleek design inspired by the iPad Air and iPad Pro. It also boasted A15 Bionic performance and support for the second-gen Apple Pencil.

With the launch of the iPad mini 7, Apple seems to have made minor improvements to what the iPad mini 6 already excelled at, raising questions about its potential success compared to its predecessor. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

When will the new iPad mini 7 be released?

The new iPad mini 7 is available for pre-order starting today, 15 October 2024, with an official launch in stores and shipping to customers on 23 October 2024.

The device will be available in 29 countries and regions, including the US and UK.

For reference, here are the release dates of the previous models:

• iPad mini 6: September 2021
• iPad mini 5: March 2019
• iPad mini 4: September 2015

How much will the new iPad 7 mini cost?

The iPad mini 7 starts at £499/$499 for the Wi-Fi-only model, with the Wi-Fi + Cellular model starting at £649/$649.

It comes with a minimum of 128GB of storage, double the capacity of the previous generation. Higher storage options of 256GB and 512GB are also available.

Additional accessories, such as the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), are priced at £129/$129 and £79/$79 respectively. The Smart Folio for the iPad mini is available for £59/$59 in a range of colors.

Here’s a reminder of the launch prices of previous models:

• iPad mini 6 (Wi-Fi, 64GB) – £479/$499
• iPad mini 6 (Wi-Fi, 256GB) – £619/$649
• iPad mini 6 (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 64GB) – £619/$649
• iPad mini 6 (Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256GB) – £759/$799

Prices in the UK have been adjusted to align with US figures, as seen with other Apple products.

What specs and features will the new iPad mini 7 have?

The iPad mini 7 has been officially unveiled, with few major changes compared to its predecessor. Here are the key details.

Design

The iPad mini 7 retains the compact, portable design of its predecessor, available in blue, purple, starlight, and space grey finishes. It also now supports the Apple Pencil Pro, sold separately.

Display

The iPad mini 7 features the same 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display as the previous model, offering vibrant colors and great visuals. With features like True Tone and P3 wide color gamut, the display provides an immersive experience for various tasks.

Performance

The iPad mini 7 is powered by the A17 Pro chip, offering a 30% boost in CPU performance compared to the A15. With 8GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, the device is capable of handling demanding applications and tasks efficiently.

Cameras

The iPad mini 7 features a 12MP wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 and a 12MP ultrawide front camera with Center Stage support. These cameras enhance image quality and video call experiences.

Battery & Charging

The iPad mini 7 offers ‘all-day battery life’ and faster data transfers with its upgraded USB-C port. This allows for quick importing of large files, including high-resolution photos and videos.

Software

Running iPadOS 18, the iPad mini 7 introduces advanced features powered by Apple Intelligence, enhancing user experience and productivity. These features will be gradually rolled out in the coming months.

Time will tell how the new iPad mini 7 compares to the best iPads and tablets on the market.