iPad mini A17 Pro 2024

Note that this A2996 Wi-Fi/Cellular model is exclusive to mainland China. It supports GPS/GNSS, 4G LTE (29 bands), and 5G (26 bands) cellular networks, but it does not support 5G mmWave. Unlike the global version, the mainland China model also lacks support for 4G LTE bands 11 and 21. It uses eSIM technology and does not have a physical SIM card slot.

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

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

In addition to the USB-C port and cellular capabilities, connectivity includes 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) with 2x2 MIMO and Bluetooth 5.3. It also has dual microphones and stereo speakers. Battery life is rated at 10 hours for Wi-Fi web surfing or video, and 9 hours on cellular data.

Compared to its predecessor, this iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen model is very similar but offers 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, plus higher storage capacities, different color options, and the previously mentioned Apple Intelligence functionality.

The China-specific cellular model of the theoretical iPad mini 7th generation was assessed as a powerful and highly capable compact tablet, tailored for its market. The key upgrade was the A17 Pro chip, which, along with 8GB of RAM, was expected to deliver a massive performance increase for both general use and demanding applications, including future AI-driven features. Support for the Apple Pencil Pro was another major selling point, providing advanced creative tools that were previously unavailable on the mini. The increased base storage of 128GB was seen as a much-needed improvement. For the Chinese market, the A2996's optimized 5G and LTE band support would ensure seamless connectivity on local carrier networks. However, like its global counterparts, it faced potential criticism for its unchanged industrial design. The lack of a landscape front camera and a high-refresh-rate ProMotion display were considered missed opportunities for a premium device. Despite this, the combination of its top-tier processor, enhanced Pencil support, and reliable local connectivity would have made it a very compelling option for Chinese consumers seeking the most powerful and portable iPad experience available.