The new iPad mini 7 is a surprisingly small update. Why is it?

Yesterday, the new iPad mini 7 was announced, and the biggest news here is that it is not so upgraded three years after the release of the predecessor.

Apple feels like doing the minimum necessary here.

New iPad mini 7 processor specifications

Yesterday, I walked around the difference between iPad mini 7 and its predecessor. Last year’s iPhone 15 Pro model A17 PRO looks like a version that looks like that in A17 Pro, which is replaced by A15 bionic.

Apple emphasized two differences.

A17 Pro increases CPU performance by 30 %. The A17 Pro also supports graphic performance with a 5 -core GPU and provides 25 % of the previous generation.

However, it is clear that the goal here was to create an iPad mini that can run Apple Intelligence, and to do more. This means that the AI ​​requirements are virtually guaranteed that the device has an 8GB RAM (rising from 4GB), but otherwise it is a very modest upgrade.

Other improvements

The new device supports wireless charging support for Apple Pencil Hover and Apple Pencil Pro.

There are several connectionability upgrades: 10Gbps USB-C connection (from 5Gbps), Wi-Fi 6e (Wi-Fi 6), and Bluetooth 5.3 (exceeding 5.0), but all of them are all. We do not provide attractive upgrade arguments.

Perhaps the best thing other than Apple Intelligency is to double the 64GB to 128GB base storage at the same price, but it also feels like Apple must do this at this point.

But it’s almost the same device

The form factor is the same, it is a new (very mute) color, not small or light, so there is no strengthening of the design.

The life of the battery has not changed.

The camera is the same. Excluding smart HDR 3 to 4 to 4 to 4 upgrades. This is still in a short edge, which is probably easier to understand with the most commonly used device in portrait orientation.

The display has not been completely changed. This is the exact same 8.3 inch 2266 x 1488 pixel panel, the same maximum brightness as the 500 NITS.

Why is it so small upgrade?

Here are some possible explanations led by the price.

Especially the price of the corporate market

The biggest market of iPad mini is considered a company, not a consumer. This device is popular in tasks such as stock house stock and digital menu pads for waiting staff, and is designed to hold a compact size in one hand.

This means that the price is important. Consumers may look at more impressive upgrades and judge that they are worth the price bump, but companies purchase a large amount of devices and function as a major barrier to purchase even at a slight rise in unit prices. There is a possibility. A17 Pro is a cheaper chip than the M2 used in A18 or iPad Air.

That’s why Apple does not change the form factor lightly. Business users are generally used not only for several mount docks, but also to use the Baluku charging station, and do not need to exchange them to support new devices. This is likely to be the main reasons for Apple to first update the iPad mini in the latest all -screen format.

A series chip supply and supply

Jason Snell has another theory about A17 Pro chips. Apple may have overdosed these sitting, but all A18 tips obtained to meet the iPhone 16 demand.

Apple ended with an excessive A17 Pro chip after canceling 15 Pro. (Or) all of these are bin -type versions that do not cut the iPhone and are sitting to be reused with another product (have five GPU cores instead of six). (Or) Apple has a contract with TSMC. This includes enough abilities to continue building this chip until the transaction is gone. (Or) Apple did not want to bypass what the iPad mini seems to have a limited amount of fresh A18 chips when building iPhone 16s.

Snell also shares my opinion that this is like a maintaining measure, that the new iPad mini must be faster and a new iPad mini. Apple cannot sell this version for another three years.

Should you buy it?

If you currently own iPad mini 6, it is almost unlikely. The only real reason to upgrade is your case I have to do If you can access Apple Intelligence on the device, you need it right now.

That said, this can be a good reason. He is no longer a device that can run Apple Intelligence. If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16; any M -Series iPad; or M Series Mac or iPad Mini will have an AI function for iPad mini.

But if you are Please do not Currently, if you have a device available for AI, there is one iPad mini 7. This is the cheapest Apple device that can access Apple Intelligence. That may be the most convincing sales point.

Photo: Apple