iPad mini 7 vs iPad mini 6 and iPad mini 5: A Specs Comparison
This week, Apple unveiled the iPad mini 7, which, as expected, features minimal alterations compared to its previous version. In this Specs Appeal article, we will compare Apple’s newest compact iPad with the iPad mini 6 from 2021 and the iPad mini 5 from 2019.
To summarize, the iPad mini 7 appears to be a familiar device from three years ago, now boasting three significant enhancements: it is equipped with the powerful A17 Pro chip from the iPhone 15 Pro, it supports the new Apple Pencil 2 Pro complete with advanced gestures and hover function, and it comes with a base storage of 128GB, along with an option for 512GB.
The upgrade from the A15 processor to the A17 Pro paves the way for upcoming Apple Intelligence capabilities that are set to debut with iPadOS 18.1 later this month.
Below is a concise list highlighting the major upgrades:
- Improved processor with support for Apple Intelligence.
- Compatibility with the Apple Pencil 2 Pro.
- Enhanced USB-C port speed: 10Gbps, up from the 5Gbps of the mini 6.
- Increased base storage: 128GB compared to 64GB.
- Support for Smart HDR 4 across rear and front cameras.
- Upgraded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Omission of physical SIM card.
- Introduction of a new color variant.
For those considering an upgrade from the iPad mini 5 or even earlier versions that feature the Home button and bulkier bezels, the enhancements will be notably more pronounced and impressive.
Below is a detailed comparison of specifications for the three most recent generations of the iPad mini:
| iPad mini 7 | iPad mini 6 | iPad mini 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm, 293 g 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25″, 0.65 lbs |
203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm, 300 g 8.0 x 5.3 x 0.24″, 0.66 lbs |
|
| Display | 8.3″Liquid Retina IPS, 60Hz 2,266 x 1,488, 326 ppi 500 nits max brightness, True Tone, P3 |
7.9″Retina IPS, 60Hz 2,048 x 1,536, 326 ppi 500 nits max brightness, True Tone, P3 |
|
| Apple Pencil |
Apple Pencil 2 Pro Apple Pencil 2 Apple Pencil USB-C |
Apple Pencil 2 Apple Pencil USB-C |
Apple Pencil |
| Processor |
6-core A17 Pro 5-core GPU 16-core NPU |
6-core A15 Bionic 5-core GPU 16-core NPU |
6-core A12 Bionic 4-core GPU 8-core NPU |
| Apple Intelligence | Supported | Not supported | |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 256GB | |
| Rear Camera | 12MP f/1.8 camera True Tone Flash, Smart HDR 4 |
12MP f/1.8 camera True Tone Flash, Smart HDR 3 |
8MP f/2.4 camera Auto HDR |
| Front Camera | 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera Center Stage, Smart HDR 4 |
12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera Center Stage, Smart HDR 3 |
7MP f/2.2 camera Auto HDR |
| Sound | Landscape stereo speakers | Bottom-firing stereo speakers | |
| Security | Touch ID in the top button | Touch ID in the Home button | |
| Connectivity |
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 5G sub-6 GHz GPS |
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 5G sub-6 GHz GPS |
Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 4G LTE GPS |
| Sim | eSIM only | Nano SIM eSIM |
|
| Port | USB-C 10Gbps | USB-C 5Gbps | Lightning |
| Battery | TBA Wh Up to 10 hours of video playback |
19.3 Wh Up to 10 hours of video playback |
19.1 Wh Up to 10 hours of video playback |
| Colors | Space Gray, Blue, Purple, Starlight | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
| Price | $499 | $499 | $399 |
The iPad mini 7 is now available for preorder, with official sales set to commence on October 23, 2024, across 29 countries.
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