iPad mini 7 could be a spec-bump instead of a full update

AppleInsider

Apple's update to the iPad mini 7 may not be a massive change from the iPad mini 6, claims a leaker, with only a change to the chip now expected.

iPad mini 6

The last update to the iPad mini was in September 2021, with an update to the seventh generation a possibility for Apple in the coming months. However, if a leaker is correct, there may not be that much change on the horizon for the pint-sized tablet.

In a Tuesday tweet by @Tech_Reve about the iPad mini 7, "supposedly only the AP changed from iPad mini 6." The AP refers to the Application Processor, or in this case, the A15 Bionic chip used in the sixth-generation iPad mini.

If taken at face value, that would infer the next release could be simply a spec-bump update, rather than a larger refinement or overhaul in design.

The leaker further adds that the iPad mini 7 "still doesn't have 120Hz" for the display. Since the ProMotion system that can enable 120Hz is limited to the iPad Pro lineup, this isn't entirely unsurprising.

Tech_Reve did previously share a Weibo leak on the A17 Pro six months ahead of the iPhone 15 Pro launch, albeit with supposed Geekbench 6 results that were somewhat higher than what Apple actually released in the models.

While there are still some questions about Tech_Reve's accuracy, the rumors about an iPad mini update in late 2023 or early 2024 certainly help their position. Add in that a spec bump update isn't entirely out of the ordinary for Apple, and it seems a fairly likely proposition.

Read on AppleInsider

9secondkox2

If Apple updates the mini, I’d expect they make a case for it rather than look like they really don’t care at all. 

Then again, their was the Mac mini treatment prior to m1…

coolfactor

When the hardware already exceeds the needs of 99.9% of the target market, what changes make sense beyond keeping the SoC current? Better than letting it wither on the vine for years.

danox

Practically speaking, it’s too late in the year, Apple should’ve announced something right before back to school, late August early September? That is, if you’re looking to sell any significant number of units through the end of the year.

Back to school and the Christmas season can’t be missed if at all possible. (And I think Apple has missed it for the a new M2 24” iMac, and a upgraded iPad mini.) A late August early September release would have been awesome.

edited October 2023

pauloseraa

danox said:

Practically speaking, it’s too late in the year, Apple should’ve announced something right before back to school, late August early September? That is, if you’re looking to sell any significant number of units through the end of the year.

Back to school and the Christmas season can’t be missed if at all possible. (And I think Apple has missed it for the a new M2 24” iMac, and a upgraded iPad mini.) A late August early September release would have been awesome.

Apple releases Macs and iPads in October all the time, mr. business. They'll do fine, if they do.

pauloseraa

Nothing has come out to replace 120Hz on the Pro iPads. Meaning, Apple only has a handful of banner features to distinguish Pro from others, and charge more for it. Until a new one comes along to replace the existing ones, nothing will trickle down to the mid and low tiers. Hence why 120Hz and Face ID have been held hostage on iPad Pro for so many years.

eric_wvgg

The iPad Mini is my favorite device and I will buy any new model sight-unseen (I'm staring at one in "sidecar" mode right now), but I have no idea why they'd bother with a mere spec-bump so soon after the current model. The performance is… fine?

Sure do wish they'd switch to OLED though.

canukstorm

coolfactor said:

When the hardware already exceeds the needs of 99.9% of the target market, what changes make sense beyond keeping the SoC current? Better than letting it wither on the vine for years.

Having a ProMotion display and FaceID would make the iPad mini perfect.

danox

PauloSeraa said:

danox said:

Practically speaking, it’s too late in the year, Apple should’ve announced something right before back to school, late August early September? That is, if you’re looking to sell any significant number of units through the end of the year.

Back to school and the Christmas season can’t be missed if at all possible. (And I think Apple has missed it for the a new M2 24” iMac, and a upgraded iPad mini.) A late August early September release would have been awesome.

Apple releases Macs and iPads in October all the time, mr. business. They'll do fine, if they do.

And it will be too late, if you wanna sell at about the same number as last year yeah they’ll do fine, but it’s still too late……

dewme

Eric_WVGG said:

The iPad Mini is my favorite device and I will buy any new model sight-unseen (I'm staring at one in "sidecar" mode right now), but I have no idea why they'd bother with a mere spec-bump so soon after the current model. The performance is… fine?

Sure do wish they'd switch to OLED though.

I also do not find the current iPad mini to be sorely lacking in any major way. It's noticeably faster than my 10.5" iPad Pro. I also use the mini both in SideCar mode and Universal Control mode alongside my Mac. I think Apple purposely treats the iPad mini as a niche product for folks who specifically need or prefer the smaller form factor and are willing to pay for the privilege of owning one. From a bang-for-the-buck perspective the base iPad on the lower end and the iPad Air on the higher end are much better deals. But if you're walking around with an iPad as a mobile interactive terminal for hours on end, for example, in an appliance, furniture, or automobile showroom and want more display or demo space than what a large smartphone offers, the iPad mini is a great fit. It's also a great book reader and couch computer.

I used to think that the iPad mini could be an awesome mobile gaming platform, a scaled up iPod Touch so to speak, but I think the latest iPhone Pros easily satisfy that need, especially with younger people who are now biologically and permanently attached to their smartphones. For schools and kids, the base iPad is much more affordable and compatible with keyboard + trackpad cases that you can actually type on. I've tried a keyboard + trackpad case for the iPad mini and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Because of the mini's niche status the makers of higher quality keyboard + trackpad cases, for example Logitech, have abandoned their efforts to produce such products for the mini. Logitech did a decent keyboard case for the original iPad mini but it was a one & done deal. 

About the only thing that slightly annoys me about the iPad mini is the odd proportion of the desktop space allotted to icons and widgets. I'm looking at my iPad Pro and iPad mini side-by-side in landscape orientation and they both have what appears to be the same amount of "gutter" around the area that contains the icons and widgets.  While it looks okay on the larger iPad, the same gutter on the mini makes everything look squished together. Fortunately, it doesn't impact Apps.

What makes sense to me for an iPad mini upgrade would of course include a newer and more capable processor, increased storage options, and either Face ID or under-screen Touch ID. Putting the Touch ID in the power/home button was clever and it works very well for me - but only in portrait orientation. In landscape it's very clumsy (for me) when the mini is propped up with the cover. Touch ID wants you to cover the entire button with your finger but doing so is weird unless you are holding the mini in your hands and have associated fingers from both hands with Touch ID. Not a showstopper, but it could be better. 

alex1n

coolfactor said:

When the hardware already exceeds the needs of 99.9% of the target market, what changes make sense beyond keeping the SoC current? Better than letting it wither on the vine for years.

Like the iMac 

cyberdine 101

I think Apple should consider to make an iPad mini Pro version. Think about it! A smaller form factor that is easier to carry around. But with the same power as the pro models. I would buy one in a second. 

ambhaiji

A first gen overhaul will not get another overhaul? Mind boggling news, truly shocking. I am shooketh to the very center of my being.

edited October 2023

dewme

cyberdine 101 said:

I think Apple should consider to make an iPad mini Pro version. Think about it! A smaller form factor that is easier to carry around. But with the same power as the pro models. I would buy one in a second. 

That would definitely satisfy a niche portion of an already niche product. But as a mini fan, I’d like it, but not sure why. 

japhey

canukstorm said:

coolfactor said:

When the hardware already exceeds the needs of 99.9% of the target market, what changes make sense beyond keeping the SoC current? Better than letting it wither on the vine for years.

Having a ProMotion display and FaceID would make the iPad mini perfect.

I completely agree. And I’ll be holding onto my Mini 6 until that happens.