Apple makes it easy for itself
The iPad mini 7 is not a big hit, but it is strong
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After three years, the iPad mini is receiving another update. In its seventh generation, it is stronger and slightly more talented than its predecessor, but many users won't even notice the differences because Apple has actually only done the bare minimum.
Global sales of tablets have been declining overall for several years. According to market researcher IDC, Apple has kept its sales figures comparatively stable and was even able to expand its market share to a high of around 38 percent last year. The group regularly sells the most devices in the fourth quarter, which this year will also be helped by a new iPad mini, which will be launched just in time for the Christmas season.
Unchanged design, new colors
Hardly anything has visibly changed. If you don't buy a device in one of the new colors pale blue and pale purple, you won't see any difference at all. Dimensions and weight are unchanged, and Apple continues to use a fingerprint scanner in the power button (Touch ID) instead of facial recognition (Face ID) in the new iPad mini.
The screen is a bit dated but still good.
(Photo: kwe)
On the identical back there is still a camera with twelve megapixels (MP) resolution and aperture f/1.8 in the upper left corner. As before, at the front you can see an 8.3-inch LCD that offers 326 pixels per inch (ppi) and a refresh rate of just 60 Hertz (Hz). Nothing has changed in terms of the maximum brightness of 500 nits.
What's particularly unfortunate here is that Apple hasn't installed a better screen with a faster refresh rate. However, the resulting jerky scrolling isn't a big deal and as a powerful but handy and compact tablet, the iPad mini remains practically unrivaled.
Chip of the iPhone 15 Pro
The real innovations are inside. Above all, the A17 Pro has a chip installed that is not only more powerful. It is also capable of implementing Apple's upcoming AI features. However, Apple did not install its most powerful processors A18 (Pro) or M4, but rather the chip from its top iPhones from last year. And since it is not foreseeable when Apple Intelligence will be available in the EU, the added value in this country is limited.
The iPad mini 7 actually only offers a real advantage to users who can and want to do more with an Apple Pencil than with its predecessor. Because the newcomer supports the Pro version of the pen. And working with the Pencil is particularly comfortable with the small tablet because you can hold it comfortably with one hand.
Strong with Apple Pencil Pro
Among other things, a tool palette opens in compatible apps when you press the pen in the front area. If you do this twice, you switch between tools. You can also select other functions for the gestures in the settings. When you rotate the Pencil, the brush stroke changes or you can rotate objects in programs. Haptic feedback from the pen also enables intuitive working with the Pencil Pro, as do artificial shadows corresponding to the tool tip.
The device is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.
(Photo: kwe)
The iPad mini 7 also supports Apple's simpler USB-C pen, but not the Pencil 2, which, like the Pro, magnetically attaches to the frame of a compatible iPad and charges.
Further news is the WLAN standard 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. In addition, data can now be transferred at up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbit/s) via the device's USB-C port. The predecessor has 5 Gbit/s.
The mileage, in turn, has not changed significantly. As with its predecessor, you can expect ten hours or a little more with normal use. That was and is a lot of endurance.
Conclusion
The new iPad mini isn't a big deal, as Apple has only changed the bare minimum to make it fit for new tasks. But in its size class it is the first choice if you are looking for a powerful tablet. It is also comparatively inexpensive; even the cheapest version, which is available for around 600 euros, now has enough memory on board with 128 gigabytes (GB).
The predecessor with a measly 64 GB is available for just under 470 euros, but you can't expect many updates from it. And if Apple Intelligence is one day available in the EU, you won't be able to use it on the 6 Series.
