Less than two weeks ago, Apple quietly updated the iPad mini (currently priced at $499 on Amazon). To put it simply, the iPad mini 7 looks almost identical to the older iPad mini 6 at first glance. However, there are some hardware improvements, the most significant being the inclusion of an A17 Pro chip and 8 GB of RAM.
Some Limitations
Despite these upgrades, the iPad mini 7 has a few issues that Apple hasn't highlighted in its product descriptions. One point to mention is that the tablet's integrated GPU isn't as powerful as those found in A17 Pro-equipped iPhones. Furthermore, early benchmark tests indicate that the iPad mini 7 is unable to keep pace with the iPhone 15 Pro Max, even though it has a larger frame that should help the chip stay cooler.
Display Concerns
Additionally, initial feedback shows that the IPS display on the new iPad mini still experiences the jelly scrolling problem that plagued the iPad mini 6. Ross Young from Display Supply Chain Consultants has mentioned that the upcoming iPad mini could see a significant display improvement, potentially switching to an OLED screen.
However, Young hasn't provided any details about this upgrade yet. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if the iPad mini 8 is released with a 60 Hz OLED display, similar to Apple's other non-Pro devices. Moreover, the irregular release pattern of iPad mini models makes it hard to guess when the iPad mini 8 might actually launch.
Future Expectations
In conclusion, while the iPad mini 7 brings some enhancements, it also has a few drawbacks that users should be aware of. With the potential for a better display in the next iteration, many are already speculating about what the future holds for the iPad mini line.
