iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 Buyer's Guide: 20+ Upgrades Compared

Apple today revealed the seventh-generation iPad mini, introducing several significant upgrades that make it a standout from its predecessor. Here's everything that's new.

iPad mini 6 vs 7 Feature 1
At the core of the new device is the A17 Pro chip, first introduced last year in the iPhone 15 Pro, which delivers faster CPU and GPU performance along with advanced graphics features like hardware-accelerated ray tracing. One of the most important additions is support for Apple Intelligence, unlocking new AI-driven features that could dramatically improve user experience. It's also worth noting that the device now starts with 128GB of storage, double the previous base capacity, with no increase in price.

The seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌ also boasts a faster USB-C port for quicker data transfers, Smart HDR 4 for better photo quality, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro with hover functionality for greater precision. A new Blue color also replaces Pink in the lineup. All of the differences between the sixth- and seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌ models are listed below:

‌iPad mini‌
(sixth generation, 2021)
‌iPad mini‌
(seventh generation, 2024)
A15 Bionic chip (introduced with iPhone 13 in 2021, made with TSMC's 5nm N5P process) A17 Pro chip (introduced with ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro in 2023, made with TSMC's 3nm N3 process)
6-core CPU 6-core CPU (30% faster)
5-core GPU 5-core GPU (25% faster)
Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Hardware-accelerated mesh shading
4GB memory 8GB memory (unconfirmed, but likely)
Dynamic Caching
16-core Neural Engine 16-core Neural Engine (2x faster)
‌Apple Intelligence‌ support
Smart HDR 3 for photos Smart HDR 4 for photos
True Tone flash New True Tone flash
Identify documents with AI
Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 5.3
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity Wi-Fi 6E connectivity
Nano-SIM or eSIM eSIM only
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 port (data transfers up to 5Gbps) USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 (2x faster with data transfers up to 10Gbps)
Supports ‌Apple Pencil‌ (USB‑C) and ‌Apple Pencil‌ (second generation) Supports ‌Apple Pencil‌ (USB‑C) and ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro
‌Apple Pencil‌ hover
64GB or 256GB storage 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage
"iPad" inscription on back "‌iPad mini‌" inscription on back
Available in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, and Pink Available in Space Gray, Starlight, lighter Purple, and Blue

The seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌ offers several noteworthy upgrades, but whether you should buy the new model depends on your specific needs and how you plan to use your device. The most significant change is the move to the A17 Pro chip, which brings a notable performance boost across the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine. This improvement is important for power users who rely on their ‌iPad‌ for demanding tasks such as creative work or intensive multitasking. The addition of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and mesh shading also enhances graphics performance, which is ideal for mobile gamers.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ support is another major feature that introduces a wide array of AI functionalities such as notification summaries, writing tools, image and emoji generation, and a revamped version of Siri that integrates ChatGPT and on-screen awareness and the ability to take action. This could be transformative for those who use their ‌iPad‌ for productivity.

The seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌ also gains ‌Apple Pencil‌ hover and ‌Apple Pencil‌ Pro support, offering more precise control for drawing, writing, and graphic design. These upgrades make the new ‌iPad mini‌ particularly attractive for artists and professionals who use the ‌Apple Pencil‌ extensively. The new USB-C 3.0 port offers twice the data transfer speed of the sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌, making it a meaningful upgrade for users who frequently transfer large files between devices.

The improved Smart HDR 4 for photos and new True Tone flash enhances camera performance. While not revolutionary, it's a good improvement for those who use their ‌iPad mini‌ for photography and document scanning. Finally, the fresh Blue color adds a subtle aesthetic update, but of course, this is a matter of personal preference.

If you're a power user—someone who relies on their ‌iPad‌ for heavy multitasking, professional work with the ‌Apple Pencil‌, or intensive graphics and gaming—the seventh-generation ‌iPad mini‌'s improvements in speed, ‌Apple Intelligence‌ support, and Pencil support could make a noticeable difference to your workflow and justify an upgrade.

For users intending to use their ‌iPad mini‌ for browsing, light productivity, streaming, and casual gaming, the improvements in the seventh generation may not feel as impactful. The core experience of iPadOS and apps will remain largely the same, with only moderate gains in speed and efficiency. If the sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ still handles all your needs—especially if you don't push it to its performance limits—the improvements in the seventh generation might not feel essential.

The A15 Bionic chip is still more than capable for everyday tasks, and unless you require faster data transfers, better ‌Apple Pencil‌ control, or ‌Apple Intelligence‌ for productivity, the new features may not justify the cost of upgrading. If you are one of these users and you do not currently own an ‌iPad mini‌, it may be worth picking up a now-discontinued sixth-generation model for a heavily discounted price.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Buy Now)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple Releases iOS 18.4 With Priority Notifications, Ambient Music, New Emoji and More

Monday March 31, 2025 10:03 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, the fourth major updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating system updates that came out last year. iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 come two months after Apple released iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to...
iPhone 17 Pro 34ths Perspective

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Sunday March 23, 2025 10:00 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of March 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone ...
top stories 2025 03 29

Top Stories: WWDC 2025 Announced, iPhone 17 Pro and iOS 19 Rumors, and More

Saturday March 29, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's big developer event is a little over two months away, and rumors about what we can expect to see in Apple's next major operating system updates are becoming increasingly frequent. A public release of iOS 18.4 is also imminent with a number of updates and improvements, although we won't be getting the major Apple Intelligence Siri upgrades that had reportedly been planned for this...
Magic Mouse Green

What to Expect From the Magic Mouse 3

Saturday March 29, 2025 10:15 am PDT by
Apple is reportedly working on a new Magic Mouse. Below, we recap what to expect. The two key rumors for the Magic Mouse 3 so far include a relocated charging port, along with a more ergonomic design. It was briefly rumored that the Magic Mouse 3 would also feature voice control, but that was misinterpreted information. Relocated Charging Port While the Magic Mouse switched from...
iOS 19 Mock WWDC25 Feature

iOS 19 Expected to Run on These iPhones

Monday March 31, 2025 5:28 pm PDT by
iOS 19 will not be available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, or the iPhone XS Max, according a private account on social media site X that has accurately provided information on device compatibility in the past. The iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max all have an A12 Bionic chip, so it looks like iOS 19 will discontinue support for that chip. All other iPhones that run iOS 18 are expected...
iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Expected Next Week - Here Are the Release Notes

Friday March 28, 2025 2:01 pm PDT by
With the second release candidate of iOS 18.4 that Apple seeded out today, the company finally provided us with release notes that give a full rundown on what to expect. There's an Apple Vision Pro app, new Apple Intelligence features for notifications and additional language support, plus an Apple News Food feature for Apple News+ subscribers, and several updates that should improve the...
Foldable iPhone 2023 Feature Homescreen

Six Things to Know About Apple's Upcoming Foldable iPhone

Friday March 28, 2025 3:54 pm PDT by
We've been hearing rumors about a foldable iPhone for almost a decade now, but it looks like we might finally see the device come to fruition in 2026. We're going to be waiting many more months for the foldable iPhone, but so far we're hearing good things. Apple wants to make it creaseless. It's taken Apple multiple years to design a foldable iPhone that it's satisfied with because Apple ...
iOS 19 visionOS UI Elements

Apple Codename Provides Clue About iOS 19's Rumored New Design

Sunday March 30, 2025 6:40 am PDT by
Multiple sources have claimed that iOS 19 will introduce a new design with more translucent buttons, menus, notification banners, and more, and there is now another clue that points towards this glass-like appearance. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said the new design project is codenamed "Solarium" internally. A solarium is a room with glass walls that allow in plenty of sunlight, so this...

Top Rated Comments

bobtamboo Avatar
24 weeks ago
Jelly screen issue resolved would be a nice new feature ?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ManBun Avatar
24 weeks ago
Weak sauce
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
24 weeks ago
No Face ID, no Pro Motion or mini-LED - no sale. This is a product that’s priced in pro category for its size, but specced like a consumer product.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
24 weeks ago
Upgrades?

This is an unbelievable stretch

I'm not sure I can't think of a more pathetic update, save for the AirPodsMax that just switched the port
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
24 weeks ago
Me checking out the "upgrades"

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
abatabia Avatar
24 weeks ago
Good update for iPad mini 5 or older, hardly an update over the mini 6. Find one on sale or wait for this to be on sale. My mini 6 will remain in service.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)