Apple powers up the iPad mini for Apple Intelligence

As expected, Apple has introduced a much faster Apple Intelligence-capable iPad mini equipped with the same A17 Pro chip used in the iPhone 15 Pro series. That’s a good improvement from the A15 Bionic in the previous model, and makes for faster graphics, computation, and AI calculation. 

It also sets the scene for the public release of the first Apple Intelligence features on Oct. 28, when I expect all of Apple’s heavily promoted wave of current hardware ads to at last make more sense. (We can also expect new Macs before the end of October.)

The iPad mini turns 7

By announcing the new mini by press release, Apple broke with tradition twice with this heavily telegraphed (we all expected it) product iteration.

First, in what from memory seems a fairly rare move, Apple unveiled the new hardware right after a US holiday; second, the release wasn’t flagged by Apple industry early-warning system Mark Gurman, though he did anticipate an October update. The introduction of a highly performant Apple tablet is likely to further accelerate Apple’s iPad sales, which increased 14% in Q2 2024, according to Counterpoint. Apple will remain the world’s leading tablet maker, and reports earlier about the death of this particular component of Apple’s tablet range proved unfounded.

What’s new in iPad mini?

At first glance, the new iPad mini will seem familiar to most users. The biggest change is pretty much an updated chip inside a similar device, with the same height, width, and weight as the model it replaces. Available in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, the iPad mini has an 8.3-in. Liquid Retina display, similar to before. Remarkably, pricing on the new models starts at $499 for 128GB storage — which is twice the storage at the same starting price as the 2021 iPad mini this one replaces. 

There are other highlights here.

A better, faster, AI processor

The A17 Pro processor means the iPad mini now has a 6-core CPU, which makes for a 30% boost in CPU performance in comparison to the outgoing model. You also get a 25% boost to graphics performance, along with the necessary AI-based computation capability enhancements required to run Apple Intelligence. Of course, the chip is far more capable of handling the kind of professionally focused apps used by designers, pilots, or doctors.

While we all recognize at this stage that Apple’s decision to boost all its products with more powerful chips is because it wants to ensure support for Apple Intelligence, this also means you get better performance for other tasks as well. All the same, it will be interesting to discover the extent to which a far more contextually-capable Siri and the many handy writing assistance tools offered by Apple’s AI will boost existing tablet-based workflows in enterprise, education, and domestic use.

Better for conferencing

If you use your iPad for work, it is likely to be good news that the new iPad mini has a 12-megapixel (MP) back camera and 12MP conferencing camera. While the last-generation model also boasted 12MP cameras, the 5x digital zoom is a welcome enhancement, while the 16-core Neural Engine inside the iPad mini’s chip means those images you do capture are augmented on the fly by AI to improve picture/video quality. Overall, you’ll get better results when taking images or capturing video.

What Apple said

“There is no other device in the world like iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “iPad mini appeals to a wide range of users and has been built for Apple Intelligence, delivering intelligent new features that are powerful, personal, and private.

“With the powerful A17 Pro chip, faster connectivity, and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the new iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience in our most portable design at an incredible value.”

In common with all its latest product, Apple is applying every possible focus on AI tools, making crystal clear its plans to continue investing in its unique blend of privacy and the personal augmentation promised by its human-focused AI. The current selection of tools the company is providing should really be seen as a beginning of this part of its new journey.

What else stands out?

Additional improvements in the new iPad mini include:

• Wi-Fi 6E support, which increases bandwidth if you happen to be on a compatible wireless network; 5G cellular available.
• A 12-Megapixel wide back camera with Smart HDR 4 support and a built in document scanner with the Cameras app.
• Apple Pencil Pro support.
• Available for pre-order today, shipping on Oct. 23.
• Apple Intelligence arrives with its first wave of features five days later.

There’s an environmental mission visible in the product introduction, too. The new iPad uses 100% recycled aluminium in its enclosure along with 100% recycled rare earth elements in all its magnets and recycled gold and tin in the printed circuit boards.

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