iPad Mini 7: The Perfect Blend of Portability and Power
If you enjoy a compact tablet without compromising on speed, performance, or modern features, the iPad Mini 7 might be the device for you. Released in late 2024, the new device features the same portable 8.3-inch display as its predecessor, but comes equipped with the fast A17 Pro chip (from the iPhone 15 Pro), increased memory, Pencil Pro support, and Apple Intelligence.
Whether you use your tablet for gaming, drawing, or just everyday activities, the Mini 7 is a device worth learning more about. If you’re looking to trade in your current iPad for this newer model, then our ‘sell my iPad’ service is the perfect way to receive cash in exchange for your old device.
Design & Display
This iPad still has the ultraportable design that many know and love from the Mini 6, which was released in 2021. It’s also super lightweight, meaning that it still works well being held in one hand, which is great for on-the-go usage. There are some stunning device colours to choose from, giving the tablet a refreshed look, but aside from that the design and display match the previous model’s, but now with the advanced internal features hidden inside.
Performance & Apple Intelligence
The jump from the A15 to the A17 Pro is the major upgrade of the Mini 7. The A17 Pro chip has 6 CPU cores and a 6-core GPU, making it exceptionally adapted to mobile gaming. Games that are adapted to the A17 work noticeably better than on the previous device, and 4k streaming of content from things like Netflix and YouTube becomes smoother, without heating up the device.
Another big selling point, is that the iPad Mini 7 can run Apple Intelligence – Apple’s AI features that have become a major part of their new device lineup. The iPad Mini 7 therefore has access to AI tools within the device, such as writing assistance and image editing suggestions, among other things. In short, its processing power is closer to an iPhone 15 Pro Max or iPad Air than any previous Mini.
Image Credit: Apple
Camera and Battery
This tablet has a 12 MP Wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 for improved photo quality and even the ability to scan documents directly with the Camera app. The front camera is also 12MP Ultra Wide and has Retina flash for better selfies. Overall photo and video capabilities match the iPad Air, and the battery life is around 10 hours of web or video use, which is typical for iPads of this size. Whilst this may be similar to the previous Mini model, it is a definitive step up from some older iPads.
Apple Pencil, Accessories, and Other Features
A big upgrade on this device is the Apple Pencil Pro support, in addition to the standard Apple Pencil. The new Pencil Pro has haptic feedback and new gestures that older Pencils don’t have. In fact, the Mini’s display now supports stylus hover, making precise drawing even more accurate. Touch ID is still used for the Mini 7 (Face ID is not available on this device type just yet), and there isn’t support for external monitors like the iPad Pro, so multitasking is limited to split-view on the 8.3-inch screen.
Image Credit: Apple
What is the iPad Mini 7 Best For?
In today’s Apple ecosystem, there are a number of options to choose from – the regular iPad, the Air, the Pro, and the Mini – so it can be difficult to know which device is best for what you intend to use the device for.
The iPad Mini is perfect for light productivity on the go, such as checking emails, taking notes with Apple Pencil Pro, or drafting quick documents using Apple Intelligence features like smart suggestions and summarisation. While its smaller 8.3-inch screen isn’t ideal for multitasking or heavy workloads, it’s great for reading, streaming, and mobile gaming, with fast performance and impressive visuals. If you love using your iPad for creativity, it works great as a portable sketchpad, though if you need more screen space for serious editing, you might prefer the larger iPad Air. For making quick notes, watching movies, or sketching ideas, this iPad offers versatility in a travel-friendly size.