Tag: A17 Pro

  • Budget Apple iPad 11 May Include A17 Pro SoC for AI Features

    Budget Apple iPad 11 May Include A17 Pro SoC for AI Features

    It’s difficult to argue that Apple Intelligence has truly succeeded in winning over users with its AI-driven software features. Most of what Apple has promised has been met with only mild interest, which is far from the groundbreaking effect the company aimed to achieve.

    Unexpected Benefits of AI Integration

    Nevertheless, Apple’s push to incorporate AI across its product lineup has led to some surprising benefits—namely, increased RAM and more robust chipsets, even in their lower-tier devices. We first noticed this shift with the Mac series, where Apple finally moved away from providing just 8 GB of memory in the basic models. Rumors are swirling about the iPhone SE 4 also getting an upgrade in RAM, and it seems the entry-level budget iPad is set to follow suit.

    New Specs for iPad 11

    In his recent PowerOn newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman disclosed that Apple is gearing up to equip the new iPad 11 with the impressive A17 Pro System on Chip (SoC) and 8 GB of RAM, accommodating Apple Intelligence. In contrast, the currently available iPad 10 is powered by the A14 SoC and has only 4 GB of RAM, which hardly suffices even with Apple’s strong memory management.

    Release Timeline

    Regarding when these devices will be available, it’s anticipated that both the new iPhone SE and the iPad 11 will be launched by the end of this quarter or at the beginning of the next one. Enhanced hardware is always a positive development for consumers, regardless of whether the original motivation behind it is appealing.

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  • Apple Analyst Shares Positive Update on iPad Mini OLED Release

    Apple Analyst Shares Positive Update on iPad Mini OLED Release

    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.

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  • iPad Mini 7 Features A17 Pro Chipset in Downgraded Version

    iPad Mini 7 Features A17 Pro Chipset in Downgraded Version

    Apple has launched the highly awaited 7th generation iPad mini, which offers a notable performance boost compared to the last version. A key feature of the new iPad mini is its A17 Pro chipset, the same robust SoC that powers the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

    A17 Pro: A Compromised Version in iPad mini 7

    Looking deeper, it becomes clear that Apple has used a binned version of the A17 Pro, equipped with a 5-core GPU instead of the 6-core GPU available in the iPhone 15 Pro models. This indicates a clever strategy to utilize slightly less powerful chips for the iPad mini, which allows for cost-effective production.

    The iPad mini 7 is designed with a 6-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, matching the core setup of the A17 Pro found in last year’s Pro iPhones. This means users can anticipate similar processing power and AI functions, making it a strong option for multitasking, creative applications, and gaming. The main distinction is the 5-core GPU, which could minimally impact graphics performance, although most users probably won’t perceive this during regular use.

    Enhanced RAM and AI Features

    Alongside the A17 Pro chipset, the iPad mini 7 also sees an increase in RAM, going from 4GB in the former model to 8GB. This enhancement allows for more fluid multitasking and supports Apple’s new AI-driven features. For fans of the iPad, this represents the most budget-friendly way to explore Apple’s latest machine learning advancements with iOS 18.1.

    The binned A17 Pro chipset shows Apple’s ongoing strategy of optimizing production expenses. Chip-binning involves employing components that fail to meet the highest performance criteria for flagship devices but are still usable for other products. In the case of the iPad mini 7, the combination of a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU likely comes from production runs that didn’t fulfill the rigorous demands of the iPhone 15 Pro series. Instead of discarding these chips, Apple finds a new use for them, letting the iPad mini benefit from A17 Pro performance at a reduced price.

    Design and Availability

    This isn’t the first time Apple has made use of chip-binning in its devices. The A15 Bionic in the iPad mini 6 operated at slightly lower clock speeds than its counterpart in the iPhone 13 Pro, and similar variations were observed with the M2 chip in the latest iPad Air models. While some may wish that the iPad mini 7 featured the A18 Pro chipset, this decision likely helps keep its starting price at an appealing $499.

    Even with these internal enhancements, the iPad mini 7 retains the same stylish and portable design that loyal fans have come to love. Featuring an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro, the new model is ideal for anyone looking for a compact yet powerful device for both work and entertainment.

    The iPad Mini 7 is now up for pre-order, with an official launch set for October 23. Be sure to check out our latest article to see if upgrading to the iPad Mini 7 is the right decision for you!

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  • Enhanced Parallel Processing in M3 and A17 Pro takes Apple silicon GPUs to the next level

    Enhanced Parallel Processing in M3 and A17 Pro takes Apple silicon GPUs to the next level




    Apple’s M3 and A17 Pro Chips: Improved Performance for Developers