Apple has released a new iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip. The A17 Pro chip, with its 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU, gives a 30% boost in CPU performance and a 25% jump in graphics performance compared to the previous generation.

The A17 Pro chip in the new iPad Mini also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which makes the games and apps users install look far more realistic. Another big upgrade is Apple Intelligence, an AI-powered system that is supposed to give users personalized and context-aware assistance. This system uses the A17 Pro chip and Apple-built generative models to understand and create language and images, take action across apps, and do tasks.

While the initial set of Apple Intelligence features is available only in US English this month, Apple plans to add other languages and devices soon. The new iPad mini supports Wi-Fi 6E, which gives twice the performance of the previous generation. Wi-Fi + Cellular models come with 5G connectivity; this lets users access their files, communicate, and back up data quickly. Apple has also improved the camera system, with 12MP Ultra Wide lens in the front and a 12MP wide back camera featuring Smart HDR 4 for better photo quality and a document scanning feature in the Camera app.

While that chip is great, it’s debatable if this is a significant enough upgrade. The previous model, with its A15 Bionic chip, was already pretty powerful, and the upgrade isn’t going to add much of a noticeable effect. The issue is that most users aren’t going to see that performance and graphics boost in everyday tasks. This would be great for higher quality video games or using a lot of apps at once, like a computer or a gaming console, but it’s hard to say users buy an iPad for gaming or major workflow. If anything, it’d be better to have a higher resolution or improved Touch ID. Apple removed the physical SIM card slot for an eSIM, which sounds good, but that’s always the case. It can be more complicated than activating a physical SIM card, and not all carriers support it, or they have a lot of rules regarding it.

The new iPad mini also supports Apple Pencil Pro. Users can squeeze the Apple Pencil Pro to access a tool palette, double-tap for confirmation, and rotate the barrel to change the orientation of tools. The Apple Pencil Pro also features support for Find My just in case you lose it. Alongside these hardware upgrades, the iPad mini also has new iPadOS 18 features. This includes updates for the Notes app, Calculator, and Photos app, as well as new customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center.

The new iPad mini comes in four colors: blue, purple, starlight, and space gray. It starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi model and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Apple also offers education pricing for students, faculty, and staff, starting at $449. The iPad mini is available to pre-order now on Apple’s official website and will begin shipping on October 23, 2024.

Source: Apple