The iPad mini 6 is no spring chicken now, as it comes up on third year of release. It's been around now since September 2021, and it feels like we're owed the iPad mini 7 soon — and if the news and rumors around iPads are to be believed, it looks like we could be getting one sooner rather than later.
This is not going to be a big refresh of the mini iPad, instead working mostly on the inside of the device. The display is going to be the same 8.3-inch screen, the USB-C port on the bottom is going to remain, and the camera isn't going to be any different than the previous model — although we are hoping that the old jelly-scroll issue is fixed from the old model.
With any luck, we'll see the iPad mini 7 launch alongside the iPad Air 6 and OLED iPad Pros in March — as well as a brand-new 15-inch iPad Air. There are conflicting rumors around this however, so we'll have to wait and see what the year brings.
Either way, we might not be waiting too long to learn more about the latest iPad mini either — the iPad mini 7 is likely going to be released sometime this year. But what else can you expect from the next small iPad?
iPad mini 7: Release date rumors
The iPad mini 6 was announced back on 24 September 2021, around two and a half years after the iPad mini 5 was announced. Following that timeline, we're about due a new iPad mini 7.
However, it's a little trickier to predict the next iPad mini compared to other iPads in the lineup. While the iPad Pro models gain yearly updates, the iPad mini is typically much less certain.
The most reliable update we have about the iPad mini 7 is from renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In December 2022, Kuo reported that Apple was working on an iPad mini and that it would be coming at the end of 2023 or the start of 2024. That would fit into the general timespan between iPad minis as well as being fairly soon.
Most recently, conflicting reports suggest the new iPad could arrive as soon as mid-October 2024, however, one top insider has disputed this.
(2/3)I think it's unlikely Apple will replace the iPad mini with a foldable iPad in 2025, which may be contrary to what some media previously predicted. It's because a foldable iPad will have a markedly higher price than an iPad mini, so such a replacement is not reasonable.December 27, 2022
That could mean we see an iPad mini by the end of the year, but we may also have to wait a bit longer before we see an upgrade to Apple's smallest tablet. WWDC 2023 didn't bring any mention of a new iPad mini 7 but we're hopeful for an iPad event around October which could also feature new rumored iMac devices. By now, it's incredibly unlikely we'll see any news before the iPhone 15 announcement in September.
One glimmer of hope comes from @ShrimpApplePro who believes a new iPad is coming soon. The leaker tweeted at the beginning of August to say "I’m seeing at least one new iPad coming. Probably mini 7." Details remain scant, but Shrimp told iMore that this is unlikely to be a September launch and that mass production has not started yet.
iPad mini 7: New rumored features
The last update for the iPad mini was a big one so it's unlikely the iPad mini 7 will be quite as seismic. Instead, it's likely to be a more iterative update. However, there are a couple of features we're hopeful about. Here's what we're thinking.
Smart Connector:
The iPad mini lacks a smart connector like the bigger iPad models. If Apple were to add one to the next iPad mini, it would bring its feature set in line. Such a connector would mean you could hook up a keyboard like you can with the iPad Pro or the iPad 10th gen. Count on seeing special attachments to expand your options too if this happens.
New processor:
There are a couple of different ways that the iPad mini might go with the processor. We have some idea that the processor is going to be the biggest part of the update if the Ming-Chi Kuo report is anything to go by. It could go in a couple of different directions.
The first is the easiest option -- sticking the equivalent phone chip of the time inside the tablet. The previous iPad mini had the A15 from the then-new iPhone 13, so if we're looking at a late 2023 release window, that could be an A17 chip likely to be seen on the iPhone 15.
Alternatively, we could see an M1 chip in the iPad mini. That way, it would become a shrunk-down version of the iPad Air, allowing for more features to be used. It could make Stage Manager possible, for instance, which is currently only really seen on the iPad Pro and Air. That would make it much more powerful than some might expect.
There is another option too. Twitter user @frontron shared a discussion from a Korean forum that the chip in the iPad mini 7 could be a beefed-up A15 chip rather than something new. That would mean that instead of the slightly-depowered iPhone chip like in the iPad mini 6, it would have a boosted clock speed of 3.23GHz. As a cost-saving measure, this would make sense, although it's worth taking this rumor with a grain of salt, as while FrontTron is reliable, his source might not be.
iPad mini 6 Pro (tentative name)Samsung Display has shipped an 8.3x" 120Hz display sample to Apple.The model starts from a 128GB variant with 4GB of RAM, and a 3.23GHz A15.The price is slightly higher than the mini 6, however, it isn't that burdening.https://t.co/SjtlLESeJqNovember 4, 2021
Whatever happens, we're confident the processor is going to be the biggest upgrade for the iPad mini 7.
New design:
Given that the iPad mini 6 was a big design shake-up, it's unlikely that the outward appearance of the tablet is going to change at all. More likely is a selection of new colors. The latest iPad 10th gen comes in cool shades like yellow so we might see that with the new iPad mini. Leaks regarding the iPhone 15 Pro suggest a new deep, wine-like red color so we could see the iPad mini 7 available in this color scheme too.
New screen:
One of the biggest problems with the previous iPad mini 6 was the Jelly Scrolling that came with its screen. Users found that when scrolling on the iPad mini 6, there was a small delay on the screen that created a wobbling effect akin to Jelly. It’s due to the refresh rate of the LED screen.
The solution would be a 120Hz ProMotion display. This was another part of the aforementioned Korean forum post, and one that would make sense. It'd fix the Jelly Scrolling issue if nothing else.
The potential issue here is that it would mean the iPad mini has a feature the Air lacks. It could confuse the product lineup and make it tricky to know what you should buy.
Again, while FrontTron is reliable, the source is relatively unknown so this screen update could be empty rumors. In fact, Ross Young weighed in on rumors in 2022, saying that he’d be ‘surprised’ if the iPad mini 7 has a ProMotion display due to the display tech.
I would be surprised since it is currently an a-Si LCD which isn't compatible with ProMotion. Only their Pro models support ProMotion as they use an Oxide LCD.June 28, 2022
iPad Mini 7: Price
The iPad mini 6 cost a lot more than the iPad mini 5, so it's unlikely we'll see much of a price increase with the iPad mini 7. Apple tends to increase prices substantially when it's revamped something like with the iPad 10th gen. Iterative updates generally costing similar sums to the previous model.
If that happens, the iPad mini 7 would retail from around $499, with increases for the cellular version and more storage.
What we’d like to see from the iPad mini 7
Slimmer bezels
The first thing we want out of a new iPad mini is slimmed-down Bezels. That would make for a much svelter device, one that doesn't take up quite so much of its front facia with black borders. The bezels on the iPad mini 6 aren't egregiously sized, but it could do with some slimming down. Slimmer bezels and the same size screen would make for an even more portable device, after all.
Smart connector
A smart connector is already likely on the way for the new iPad mini, but it would make the iPad more flexible. More smart case covers like those for the iPad Pro would make the iPad mini a proper little portable powerhouse, effectively turning into a mini laptop.
No more Jelly scrolling
No one likes jelly scrolling, the weird jerky screen phenomenon that plagued the iPad mini 6. While we can't see ProMotions 120Hz refresh rate coming to a mid-range iPad, we're hopeful that something can be done about the weird scrolling in the new model.
The iPad mini continues to be one of our favorite tablets in the iPad lineup, easily deserving its place among the best iPads. Rumors around what might happen next only make us more excited for an update. In the meantime, if you're looking for a currently released iPad, the best iPad deals can help.
Should I wait to upgrade my iPad mini?
We still don't know when the next iPad mini will come out, but it might still be worth waiting. The timeline makes sense to hold fire. At least for a couple more months in case of an event in October.
Alternatively, you could opt for an iPad Air, although you'll miss out on the smaller form factor. The iPad Pro provides more processing power, but again it's big. If you're desperate for a small tablet, waiting could be worth it.
Will the iPad mini 7 have wireless charging?
With almost every piece of new tech Apple has put out having wireless charging, it's likely the iPad mini 7 will follow suit.
Should I buy an iPad mini 6 now, or wait for the 7?
The iPad mini 6 is still on sale at the moment, but if you want the most up to date model then you should wait for the iPad mini 7 to be released. It looks like it will be coming later this year, so you don't have long to go iPad-less.
Of course, if you want to save money instead then now is a great time to buy an iPad mini 6, as the prices are dropping. Those prices could drop even further over the course of the year so it's well worth keeping an eye on them.
