iPad mini 7 - Echtes Upgrade oder nur ein kleiner Fortschritt?

iPad mini 7 - real upgrade or just a small progress ?

Table of contents

The new iPad mini 7 is here! It's small, compact and full of power. Whether you use it for work, drawing or just surfing the web - the iPad mini 7 offers you many new features. Are you wondering what has changed compared to its predecessor? In this article you will find out everything you need to know. Stay tuned and find out if the purchase is worth it for you!

display and design

The iPad mini 7 retains its tried and tested compact design that is ideal for mobile use. It is light, handy and fits perfectly in any bag. With new color options you can customize the iPad mini to your style. Choose from: Space Gray, Polaris, Pink and Blue.

There is good news on the display: The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers a razor-sharp image with rich colors. The biggest improvement concerns "jelly scrolling," a problem that was common on the previous model. This phenomenon, in which one side of the screen updates more slowly than the other, has been greatly reduced through hardware optimization. Some users report that the problem has almost disappeared, although technically it can still occur since an LCD display is still used.

performance and processor

Inside the iPad mini 7, the new A17 Pro chip provides plenty of power. This chip, which is also used in the latest iPhone models, is not only faster, but also enables more demanding applications. Whether you're using multiple apps at once or playing graphics-intensive games, the iPad mini 7 delivers smooth and responsive performance.

The A17 Pro chip also brings advantages in terms of energy efficiency. This means that despite the improved performance, the battery lasts longer. Compared to the previous model, you will not only experience faster, but also more efficient use. This makes the iPad mini 7 perfect for creative work, gaming and productive multitasking.

There is also news in terms of storage: the basic model now starts with 128 GB of storage, which is a significant improvement over the 64 GB of the previous model. This gives you more space for apps, photos and videos.

camera and audio

The iPad mini 7 brings some small improvements to the camera, while the audio features remain essentially unchanged. The 12-megapixel main camera still supports 4K video recording, and the 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle front camera with Center Stage also remains the same. New to the iPad mini 7, however, is Smart HDR 4, which enables better photos in different lighting conditions. In comparison, the iPad mini 6 uses Smart HDR 3.

There are no changes in the sound. The iPad mini 7 still has stereo speakers that provide clear and powerful sound, similar to the iPad mini 6. The microphone quality also remains at the same high level as the previous model.

battery life and charging options

The iPad mini 7 impresses not only with its performance, but also with its solid battery life.Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life when using Wi-Fi, which is ideal for a day of work, streaming, or gaming. If you're on the go and using the cellular version, you should expect around 9 hours of battery life.

When it comes to charging, Apple relies on the USB-C port, which not only allows for faster charging but is also more versatile. You can use the same port for data transfers or to charge other devices. The iPad mini 7 also supports fast charging, which means you can have the device up and running again in no time.

Review - What the Tech YouTubers say about the iPad mini 7

The Tech YouTubers Mark Ellis Reviews and Karl Conrad have tested and evaluated the iPad mini 7. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages here.

Advantages

  • A17 Pro chip: The powerful A17 Pro chip delivers a significant improvement in CPU and graphics performance. This is the same chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro that makes apps and games run smoothly.
  • 8 GB RAM: The iPad mini 7 now has 8GB of RAM, twice as much as the previous model. This improves multitasking and overall speed.
  • Apple Intelligence (coming soon): The iPad mini 7 will support Apple Intelligence, which enables new AI-based features optimized for productive and creative applications. However, this feature will not be available until December and is not expected to be available in Germany yet.
  • Apple Pencil Pro: The iPad mini 7 supports the Apple Pencil Pro, which offers new features such as "barrel roll" and haptic feedback. This makes the iPad particularly attractive for creative users who like to draw or take notes.
  • USB-C and faster data transfers: It supports USB-C with a transfer speed of up to 10 GB/s, which is double the speed of its predecessor.
  • Larger storage selection: Storage now starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB, giving users more flexibility.
  • Compact and lightweight design: The iPad mini 7 remains a fan favorite due to its portability and small size. It is lightweight and easy to carry, ideal for on-the-go use.
  • color selection: The iPad mini 7 is available in several colors, including space gray, blue, purple and polar star, offering aesthetic variety.

Disadvantages

  • No new display: The iPad mini 7 still has a 60Hz display, which is disappointing for a device in this price range in 2024. Many cheaper devices already offer higher refresh rates.
  • No Stage Manager and no support for external displays: The iPad mini 7 does not support iPadOS's advanced multitasking options, such as Stage Manager, and it cannot be used with multiple windows on an external display.
  • No Face ID: The iPad mini 7 sticks with Touch ID and does not have Face ID support, which could be a disadvantage for some users.
  • No Apple Pencil 2 Support: The device does not support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, only the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C Apple Pencil.
  • Same design as its predecessor: The iPad mini 7 has not received a new design, it looks almost identical to the iPad mini 6.
  • Expensive device for what it offers: With a starting price of $499, other tablets, especially Android devices, often offer better value with faster screens and additional features.

Conclusion - Is the iPad mini 7 worth it?

The iPad mini 7 is a solid development that impresses above all with the new A17 Pro chip, 8 GB RAM and support for Apple Intelligence (available from December, but not yet in Germany). It is the perfect device for users who are looking for a compact and powerful tablet that is easy to transport. Creative users in particular benefit from support for the Apple Pencil Pro and new functions such as barrel roll and haptic feedback.

However, the device also comes with some disappointments: the 60Hz display feels dated compared to newer devices, and the lack of Stage Manager and support for multiple windows on external displays limits multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the design remains unchanged and Face ID is still not supported.

For users who already own the iPad mini 6, upgrading is mainly worthwhile if they want to benefit from the improved performance of the new A17 Pro chip or need more memory. The chip offers significant improvements in CPU and graphics performance, making the iPad mini 7 significantly faster and more future-proof. Although the other changes are rather minor, the iPad mini 7 remains a recommended choice for fans of the compact form factor and users looking for a powerful device for on the go.

FAQ - Your questions about the iPad mini 7

Is it worth upgrading from the iPad mini 6?

It's worth upgrading if you need the better performance of the A17 Pro chip or more RAM, but if you're happy with the iPad mini 6, there's no compelling reason to upgrade right away.

What's new in the iPad mini 7?

The biggest advancement is the A17 Pro chip, which offers better performance, as well as support for Apple Intelligence, which will be available in late 2024. Additionally, the RAM has been increased to 8GB and the storage to 128GB base size.

What improvements are there to the camera?

The camera systems are largely identical to the previous model, but the iPad mini 7 now supports Smart HDR 4 for better photos in certain lighting conditions.

Does the iPad mini 7 support the Apple Pencil 2?

No, the iPad mini 7 only supports the Apple Pencil Pro and the USB-C Apple Pencil.

Does the iPad mini 7 have a 120 Hz ProMotion display?

Unfortunately not. It still has a 60Hz display, which is disappointing compared to other devices.

Can the iPad mini 7 use Stage Manager?

No, iPad mini 7 does not support Stage Manager and cannot perform advanced multitasking features with multiple windows on external displays.