iPad mini A17 Pro 2024

It is important to note that this Wi-Fi Only variant does not have cellular connectivity or A-GPS.

The iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen (Wi-Fi Only) is built with a fully-laminated, antireflective 8.3" LED-backlit 2266x1488 "Liquid Retina" display (326 ppi, 500 nits), surrounded by a slim black bezel. It is enclosed in a thin case with rounded corners and flat sides, available in four metallic colors: "Space Gray," "Starlight," (light) Blue, and (light) Purple.

This iPad mini is driven by a six-core Apple A17 Pro processor, a five-core GPU, and a 16-core "Neural Engine." It includes 8 GB of RAM and is offered with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of flash storage. Key features include compatibility with Apple Intelligence software, "Touch ID" authentication integrated into the top button, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro (A2538, MX2D3AM/A), which charges magnetically on the device's side. It has a front-mounted 12-megapixel "Ultra Wide" camera for up to 1080p video with cinematic stabilization and "Center Stage" tracking. The rear-mounted 12-megapixel camera shoots up to 4K video with cinematic stabilization and supports the modestly enhanced Smart HDR 4.

Connectivity options include a USB-C port, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) with 2x2 MIMO, and Bluetooth 5.3. It also has dual microphones and stereo speakers. The battery life is estimated at 10 hours for "surfing the web on Wi-Fi or watching video."

In comparison to its predecessor, the iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen (Wi-Fi Only) and its cellular-equipped counterparts are quite similar but feature a faster processor, more RAM, faster Wi-Fi, a faster USB-C port, slightly improved camera software, and support for the modestly superior Apple Pencil Pro. It also offers higher storage capacities, different color options, and the aforementioned Apple Intelligence software functionality.

The hypothetical 7th generation iPad mini, powered by the A17 Pro chip, was evaluated as a significant internal upgrade within a familiar design. While the external appearance remained identical to the much-loved 6th generation, the performance leap was substantial. The A17 Pro, coupled with an increase to 8GB of RAM, provided desktop-class speed and made the device ready for advanced features like Apple Intelligence. Doubling the base storage to 128GB was a welcome and long-overdue change. Another key improvement was support for the new Apple Pencil Pro, which introduced enhanced creative functionalities like squeeze and barrel roll, further solidifying the mini's role as a potent digital sketchbook. The screen was reportedly improved to address the "jelly scrolling" issue noted by some on the previous model, and the USB-C port received a speed boost. However, some reviewers expressed disappointment that the design wasn't pushed further, with no reduction in bezel size or the relocation of the front camera to the landscape edge, which had become standard on other iPads. Despite these critiques, the overall consensus was that the iPad mini 7 was a fantastic, albeit iterative, update that packed an incredible amount of power into its uniquely portable form factor, making it a top choice for those prioritizing performance in a compact tablet.