Review of the iPad mini (A17 Pro): compact, (will be) intelligent

With minimal fanfare, the iPad mini 7, also known as the iPad mini (A17 Pro), was released. It is a 2022 update to the iPad mini that was announced in a press release and is rapidly going on sale. New hardware inside, same size and form, and apparently the same "issues."

Why was this update removed? Apple has introduced two new features. Both the new Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C, which is essentially an Apple Pencil gen 1 with a USB C port for charging and does away with the cumbersome dongles, are incompatible with the new iPad mini.

A processor update is the second new feature of the iPad mini. It will support the new Apple Intelligence capabilities when they become available because it now has the A17 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro series.

In summary, the main differences between the iPad mini 7th generation and iPad mini 6th generation are AI and the Apple Pencil Pro. Under the hood, is there more? We jump right in:

Contents Table:

Specifications
Display and Design
The camera
Performance
Programs
Charging and the Battery
Haptics and Audio Quality
Is it worth purchasing?

Specifications of the iPad mini 7
Small in stature, enormous in soul!

First, let's take a brief look at the iPad mini 7 specifications:
Features of the Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm; weight:
297 grams
8.3-inch LCD display running at 60 Hz
ratio of 16:10.5, 327 PPI
P3 wide color
Apple A17 Pro processor, 3 nm, 3.78 GHz
Software: iPad OS 18
Cameras: 12 MP F1.8
f/2.4, ultra-wide, 12 MP front
Size of Battery: 5,078 mAh
Wired charging speeds of 20 W
8 GB/128 GB costs $499.
$599 for 8 GB or 256 GB
$799 for 8 GB or 512 GB
Design and Display of the iPad Mini 7
Similar to an iPad Air miniature
The iPad mini is being held by a person with its back to the camera, displaying the aluminum body, the Apple logo, and the top left camera.

Finally, iPads after 2022 appear a lot alike; those with home buttons are no longer available, while others have the more recent "all-screen" design. The lineup is consistent, so even if you purchase the least expensive model, you'll still get the impression that it's a contemporary iPad from the same line as the pros.

To put it another way, the iPad mini resembles the iPad Air in size. What exactly is the reason for the air? mostly due to the power button's integrated fingerprint Touch ID scanner. Yes, that is also a feature of the base iPad 10th generation, but the iPad mini also has a laminated display, which is another feature that distinguishes the higher-end Apple tablets.

The front glass of the laminated screen is bonded with the touch digitizer, making the panel smaller overall and looking considerably better than the base iPad screen, which appears somewhat "sunken in" like earlier technology. Additionally, it features Apple's anti-glare coating, which is decent but not as excellent as Samsung's most recent invention for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

Because to its thin and compact design, it's easy to carry around in one hand like a giant smartphone. We've even tried it in the pockets of some jeans. However, avoid sitting with it in your back pocket.
The iPad mini is being held horizontally, the screen is turned on, and the homescreen is visible.
Measurements for the display:

Measurements of the screen

Charts of colors

Artists who wish to purchase an iPad mini for sketching and graphic design on the road will value its professional features, such as a P3 wide color gamut, despite its small size. Naturally, iPadOS comes with the standard color temperature controls, True Tone and Night Shift, which you may turn on or off for more comfortable viewing and reading.

Is the jello effect still present while quickly scrolling up and down on the iPad mini 7? Indeed. Although it seems less noticeable to us, it nevertheless exists. Although iPad mini 6 owners have adapted to it, it's still a little disappointing. However, we suppose that cramming so much technology, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and stereo speakers into such a little tablet will eventually wear it down.

Apple took sure to mention that Bluetooth keyboards are compatible with the iPad mini. In other words, no, there isn't a Magic Keyboard or Keyboard Folio for it. However, if you really want to, you may use it as a type machine by finding the appropriate keyboard.
The iPad mini 7's camera
Hi, are you trying to find me?
Close-up of the iPad mini's lone rear camera

Nothing particularly noteworthy here, but tablets wisely don't place much focus on cameras. You have a very capable 12 MP camera to take fast pictures or scan papers with, but we doubt you're bringing this device on a walk or to a rock event to take pictures of memorabilia.

Like the other iPads, the iPad mini has Center Stage thanks to its ultra-wide lens on its 12 MP selfie camera. With the help of Apple software, the camera can follow you by automatically zooming in and out and even zooming out when two faces appear in the frame. We enjoy using it since it keeps you from being confined to one uncomfortable location throughout a lengthy discussion, which makes it very amazing.

Video Thumbnail

Speaking of video calls, you also get the fantastic Voice Isolation feature, which is like magic because it removes a lot of background noise during a call.
iPad mini 7 Benchmarks & Performance
The most intriguing aspect of Apple is not its intelligence.
A person with an iPad mini is using it to play Minecraft.

A tiny gaming device!

Based on our best guesses, the primary goal of this upgrade was to equip the iPad mini with the A17 Pro CPU, which would enable it to run Apple Intelligence. Apple believes that the tablet itself is more on the high-end end of the spectrum and less on the "basic iPad" team.

Therefore, it goes without saying that the A17 Pro version includes the following features: the Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, Clean Up in Photos for generative object deletion, and text assistance with AI spell-checking, reply generation, and email rephrasing.

However, the A17 Pro can do more than that. The App Store's console-grade games—currently, the Assassin's Creed, Resident Evil, and Death Stranding series, but who knows what the future could bring—require it as a minimum. We won't pretend that the iPad mini is the greatest portable gaming device in a world with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Nintendo Switch. That is a bonus.

But it's undoubtedly a pleasant perk. If you're in the appropriate niche, the iPad mini may be used as a portable gaming console, a small sketch device, and an ebook reader thanks to iPadOS's third-party controller support, which is no longer limited to MFi.
Benchmarks for Performance:

It's excellent to know that the iPad mini doesn't throttle significantly during the 3DMark stress test. Additionally, it has a very long battery life; however, this is covered in greater detail in the Battery section. All things considered, it's a pretty potent form factor device.

The dreadful news is about to come. Stage Manager should be able to run on the A17 Pro, however the iPad mini 7 does not support it. Apple's version of desktop-like multitasking for tablets is called Stage Manager. iPads from the Air operate it either on the tablet's display on its own or with an additional screen connected. Unfortunately, the iPad mini isn't capable of running it when it's linked to an external hub or large screen.

Software for the iPad mini 7

A person holding a horizontal iPad mini with two splitscreen apps visible

iPadOS, which is essentially iOS with some extra capabilities for split-screen viewing and Apple Pencil support, comes pre-installed on iPads. The most recent version is iPadOS 18. Specifically, iPadOS 18.1.

Users have been pleading for specific customization choices for years, and the 18th release finally included them. Specifically, you can now customize how your homescreen looks. App icons can be placed wherever; they don't have to be in rows.

The Control Center can also have additional screens and panels added, which is really a little perplexing because we believe that most users will stick with the original Control Center and not play about with it too much.

Additionally, you can modify the colors of your app icon to a monochromatic style to... mixed visual outcomes.

We now have the initial set of Apple Intelligence features with iPadOS 18.1. The majority of them are text-related, such as sophisticated spellcheck, email tone modification, and reply generating. Additionally, Photos has a Clean Up feature that allows you to remove things and have the AI create a new background behind them, much like Google's Magic Eraser.

In December, iPadOS 18.2 will be released with further features, including Visial Playground, Apple's AI image generator, and ChatGPT integration to the extent that you can ask Siri to forward your questions to ChatGPT. It will be incorporated into all aspects of iPadOS, including Notes and Messages. It will be able to create images by using context from the screen, as well as create stickers and emoji.
iPad Mini 7 Battery
Long endurance, small battery

The battery capacity of the iPad mini is just roughly 5,000 mAh; many Android phones with lower batteries have the same kind of cell. Nevertheless, hardware energy efficiency and software optimization are more important than capacity. Having said that, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) did the following in our benchmark testing for batteries:

Results of the PhoneArena's battery and charging tests:

Unexpectedly well-rounded! Although we still don't believe it should be its main purpose, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) really performed remarkably well in our gaming test, which does reinforce the notion from the gaming section that it can also be used as a portable gaming device.

It's not a speed champion when it comes to charging it back up. You will only receive 22% of your battery back after 30 minutes on the wide with a 45 W charger. Thus, carefully schedule your charging sessions.
Images of an iPad mini taken from the bottom that highlight the device's thinness and USB C connector

Furthermore, since it's a tablet, wireless charging isn't an option. Certain third-party solutions, such as Pitaka cases, contain special charging ports on the rear and a USB C connector, allowing you to charge the tablet by just placing it on a magnetic stand. However, that isn't Apple's strategy; those are all separate brand solutions.
iPad mini Haptics and Audio Quality

When oriented horizontally, the iPad mini's two speakers on the top and bottom function as left and right stereo speakers. "Landscape stereo" is what Apple refers to it as. Yes, you may use this to watch YouTube videos or movies. Although the screen is quite small, it provides an alternative if you need entertainment while on the go. Indeed, it is compatible with gaming.

The sound quality of the speakers is unquestionably superior. Naturally, they lack the depth and detail found on the iPad Air, which has more space. However, we would remark that the iPad mini's speakers sound unexpectedly nice—no harshness, good mid-range detail, and ample bass—without comparing them.
Is it worth purchasing?
The iPad mini is being held at waist height by a person with the back facing the camera, displaying the aluminum construction and the Apple logo.

For a very certain kind of user, the iPad mini is a pretty specialized gadget. It's a high-end iPad that has been downsized for individuals who want such a little tablet, not an iPad that has been made smaller to save money.

To put it another way, you most likely have your mind set on it if you are among those who might find use for it. Actually, it's likely that you have a sixth-generation iPad mini.

Review of the iPad mini (A17 Pro): compact, (will be) intelligent
Kateliev, Preslav
12 to 15 minutes

7th Generation iPad Mini Intro

With minimal fanfare, the iPad mini 7, also known as the iPad mini (A17 Pro), was released. It is a 2022 update to the iPad mini that was announced in a press release and is rapidly going on sale. New hardware inside, same size and form, and apparently the same "issues."

Why was this update removed? Apple has introduced two new features. Both the new Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil USB-C, which is essentially an Apple Pencil gen 1 with a USB C port for charging and does away with the cumbersome dongles, are incompatible with the new iPad mini.

A processor update is the second new feature of the iPad mini. It will support the new Apple Intelligence capabilities when they become available because it now has the A17 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro series.

In summary, the main differences between the iPad mini 7th generation and iPad mini 6th generation are AI and the Apple Pencil Pro. Under the hood, is there more? We jump right in:

Contents Table:

Specifications
Display and Design
The camera
Performance
Programs
Charging and the Battery
Haptics and Audio Quality
Is it worth purchasing?

Specifications of the iPad mini 7
Small in stature, enormous in soul!

First, let's take a brief look at the iPad mini 7 specifications:
Features of the Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm; weight:
297 grams
8.3-inch LCD display running at 60 Hz
ratio of 16:10.5, 327 PPI
P3 wide color
Apple A17 Pro processor, 3 nm, 3.78 GHz
Software: iPad OS 18
Cameras: 12 MP F1.8
f/2.4, ultra-wide, 12 MP front
Size of Battery: 5,078 mAh
Wired charging speeds of 20 W
8 GB/128 GB costs $499.
$599 for 8 GB or 256 GB
$799 for 8 GB or 512 GB
Design and Display of the iPad Mini 7
Similar to an iPad Air miniature
The iPad mini is being held by a person with its back to the camera, displaying the aluminum body, the Apple logo, and the top left camera.

A tablet in your hand (Photo courtesy of PhoneArena)

Finally, iPads after 2022 appear a lot alike; those with home buttons are no longer available, while others have the more recent "all-screen" design. The lineup is consistent, so even if you purchase the least expensive model, you'll still get the impression that it's a contemporary iPad from the same line as the pros.

To put it another way, the iPad mini resembles the iPad Air in size. What exactly is the reason for the air? mostly due to the power button's integrated fingerprint Touch ID scanner. Yes, that is also a feature of the base iPad 10th generation, but the iPad mini also has a laminated display, which is another feature that distinguishes the higher-end Apple tablets.

The front glass of the laminated screen is bonded with the touch digitizer, making the panel smaller overall and looking considerably better than the base iPad screen, which appears somewhat "sunken in" like earlier technology. Additionally, it features Apple's anti-glare coating, which is decent but not as excellent as Samsung's most recent invention for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

Because to its thin and compact design, it's easy to carry around in one hand like a giant smartphone. We've even tried it in the pockets of some jeans. However, avoid sitting with it in your back pocket.
The iPad mini is being held horizontally, the screen is turned on, and the homescreen is visible.
Measurements for the display:

Measurements of the screen
Charts of colors

Artists who wish to purchase an iPad mini for sketching and graphic design on the road will value its professional features, such as a P3 wide color gamut, despite its small size. Naturally, iPadOS comes with the standard color temperature controls, True Tone and Night Shift, which you may turn on or off for more comfortable viewing and reading.

Is the jello effect still present while quickly scrolling up and down on the iPad mini 7? Indeed. Although it seems less noticeable to us, it nevertheless exists. Although iPad mini 6 owners have adapted to it, it's still a little disappointing. However, we suppose that cramming so much technology, support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and stereo speakers into such a little tablet will eventually wear it down.

Apple took sure to mention that Bluetooth keyboards are compatible with the iPad mini. In other words, no, there isn't a Magic Keyboard or Keyboard Folio for it. However, if you really want to, you may use it as a type machine by finding the appropriate keyboard.
The iPad mini 7's camera
Hi, are you trying to find me?
Close-up of the iPad mini's lone rear camera

Nothing particularly noteworthy here, but tablets wisely don't place much focus on cameras. You have a very capable 12 MP camera to take fast pictures or scan papers with, but we doubt you're bringing this device on a walk or to a rock event to take pictures of memorabilia.

Like the other iPads, the iPad mini has Center Stage thanks to its ultra-wide lens on its 12 MP selfie camera. With the help of Apple software, the camera can follow you by automatically zooming in and out and even zooming out when two faces appear in the frame. We enjoy using it since it keeps you from being confined to one uncomfortable location throughout a lengthy discussion, which makes it very amazing.

Video Thumbnail

Speaking of video calls, you also get the fantastic Voice Isolation feature, which is like magic because it removes a lot of background noise during a call.
iPad mini 7 Benchmarks & Performance
The most intriguing aspect of Apple is not its intelligence.
A person with an iPad mini is using it to play Minecraft.

A tiny gaming device!

Based on our best guesses, the primary goal of this upgrade was to equip the iPad mini with the A17 Pro CPU, which would enable it to run Apple Intelligence. Apple believes that the tablet itself is more on the high-end end of the spectrum and less on the "basic iPad" team.

Therefore, it goes without saying that the A17 Pro version includes the following features: the Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, Clean Up in Photos for generative object deletion, and text assistance with AI spell-checking, reply generation, and email rephrasing.

However, the A17 Pro can do more than that. The App Store's console-grade games—currently, the Assassin's Creed, Resident Evil, and Death Stranding series, but who knows what the future could bring—require it as a minimum. We won't pretend that the iPad mini is the greatest portable gaming device in a world with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Nintendo Switch. That is a bonus.

But it's undoubtedly a pleasant perk. If you're in the appropriate niche, the iPad mini may be used as a portable gaming console, a small sketch device, and an ebook reader thanks to iPadOS's third-party controller support, which is no longer limited to MFi.
Benchmarks for Performance:

It's excellent to know that the iPad mini doesn't throttle significantly during the 3DMark stress test. Additionally, it has a very long battery life; however, this is covered in greater detail in the Battery section. All things considered, it's a pretty potent form factor device.

The dreadful news is about to come. Stage Manager should be able to run on the A17 Pro, however the iPad mini 7 does not support it. Apple's version of desktop-like multitasking for tablets is called Stage Manager. iPads from the Air operate it either on the tablet's display on its own or with an additional screen connected. Unfortunately, the iPad mini isn't capable of running it when it's linked to an external hub or large screen.

Software for the iPad mini 7

A person holding a horizontal iPad mini with two splitscreen apps visible

iPadOS, which is essentially iOS with some extra capabilities for split-screen viewing and Apple Pencil support, comes pre-installed on iPads. The most recent version is iPadOS 18. Specifically, iPadOS 18.1.

Users have been pleading for specific customization choices for years, and the 18th release finally included them. Specifically, you can now customize how your homescreen looks. App icons can be placed wherever; they don't have to be in rows.

The Control Center can also have additional screens and panels added, which is really a little perplexing because we believe that most users will stick with the original Control Center and not play about with it too much.

Additionally, you can modify the colors of your app icon to a monochromatic style to... mixed visual outcomes.

We now have the initial set of Apple Intelligence features with iPadOS 18.1. The majority of them are text-related, such as sophisticated spellcheck, email tone modification, and reply generating. Additionally, Photos has a Clean Up feature that allows you to remove things and have the AI create a new background behind them, much like Google's Magic Eraser.

In December, iPadOS 18.2 will be released with further features, including Visial Playground, Apple's AI image generator, and ChatGPT integration to the extent that you can ask Siri to forward your questions to ChatGPT. It will be incorporated into all aspects of iPadOS, including Notes and Messages. It will be able to create images by using context from the screen, as well as create stickers and emoji.
iPad Mini 7 Battery
Long endurance, small battery

The battery capacity of the iPad mini is just roughly 5,000 mAh; many Android phones with lower batteries have the same kind of cell. Nevertheless, hardware energy efficiency and software optimization are more important than capacity. Having said that, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) did the following in our benchmark testing for batteries:

Results of the PhoneArena's battery and charging tests:

Unexpectedly well-rounded! Although we still don't believe it should be its main purpose, the iPad mini (A17 Pro) really performed remarkably well in our gaming test, which does reinforce the notion from the gaming section that it can also be used as a portable gaming device.

It's not a speed champion when it comes to charging it back up. You will only receive 22% of your battery back after 30 minutes on the wide with a 45 W charger. Thus, carefully schedule your charging sessions.
Images of an iPad mini taken from the bottom that highlight the device's thinness and USB C connector

Furthermore, since it's a tablet, wireless charging isn't an option. Certain third-party solutions, such as Pitaka cases, contain special charging ports on the rear and a USB C connector, allowing you to charge the tablet by just placing it on a magnetic stand. However, that isn't Apple's strategy; those are all separate brand solutions.
iPad mini Haptics and Audio Quality

When oriented horizontally, the iPad mini's two speakers on the top and bottom function as left and right stereo speakers. "Landscape stereo" is what Apple refers to it as. Yes, you may use this to watch YouTube videos or movies. Although the screen is quite small, it provides an alternative if you need entertainment while on the go. Indeed, it is compatible with gaming.

The sound quality of the speakers is unquestionably superior. Naturally, they lack the depth and detail found on the iPad Air, which has more space. However, we would remark that the iPad mini's speakers sound unexpectedly nice—no harshness, good mid-range detail, and ample bass—without comparing them.
Is it worth purchasing?
The iPad mini is being held at waist height by a person with the back facing the camera, displaying the aluminum construction and the Apple logo.

For a very certain kind of user, the iPad mini is a pretty specialized gadget. It's a high-end iPad that has been downsized for individuals who want such a little tablet, not an iPad that has been made smaller to save money.

To put it another way, you most likely have your mind set on it if you are among those who might find use for it. Since you most likely already have a sixth-generation iPad mini, is this one superior and worthwhile?

If you want to accomplish that on a small screen, it will undoubtedly work well using Final Cut and Logic for iPad. The majority of folks who use an iPad mini for productive work are probably the ones that use the Apple Pencil on the fly to take notes and sketch. With AI built into Apple Notes and the new Apple Pencil Pro (which you must also purchase), they can also anticipate some further value.

You can likely utilize your iPad mini (2022) for a little while longer if none of it piques your attention. However, we think this latest iPad mini (A17 Pro) is pretty nice overall. It's a little pricey, but no other tiny tablet has this level of hardware. Thus... The price is what it is.
.Is this one superior and worthwhile?

If you want to accomplish that on a small screen, it will undoubtedly work well using Final Cut and Logic for iPad. The majority of folks who use an iPad mini for productive work are probably the ones that use the Apple Pencil on the fly to take notes and sketch. With AI built into Apple Notes and the new Apple Pencil Pro (which you must also purchase), they can also anticipate some further value.

You can likely utilize your iPad mini (2022) for a little while longer if none of it piques your attention. However, we think this latest iPad mini (A17 Pro) is pretty nice overall. It's a little pricey, but no other tiny tablet has this level of hardware. Thus... The price is what it is.