Apple recently announced its Gen 7 iPad Mini, marking the smaller tablet’s first refresh since 2021.
Buoyed by a newer and faster chip, the global tech giant is banking on Apple Intelligence’s generative AI features as being a major selling point. Like this year’s iPhone 16 handsets, the focus is on software innovations over major hardware changes.
So, how different is the 2024 iPad Mini versus the 6th-gen iPad Mini from 2021? Not much, if you base the changes on pure hardware specifications. Its size, display, and battery life are identical to the older model.
Instead, the upgrades are minor, aimed at a subset of hardcore users who will appreciate the subtle differences. For anyone looking to upgrade or buy a new tablet, it’s not a matter of choosing between one Mini or the other; Apple has discontinued the 2021 model in favour of selling its newest portable tablet.
iPad Mini Gen 7 (2024) vs iPad Mini Gen 6 (2021)
You really need to squint hard to see the changes between iPad Mini models based on Apple’s provided specs. They’re there but not immediately obvious to the naked eye.
This year has seen wholesale changes to the iPad range, including a new iPad Pro, the M2 iPad Air, and an upgraded Apple Pencil Pro stylus. Some of those changes come to the latest Mini, for those who prefer pint-sized tablets.
A17 chip and Apple Intelligence
Arguably the biggest difference between iPad Mini models is the processor housed within. The 2024 model uses Apple’s A17 Pro chip, the same processor as last year’s iPhone 15 Pro range.
Compared to the A15 chip found in the 2021 iPad Mini, the A17 Pro wields the same number of cores, albeit with better performance. In addition to faster CPU and GPU performance, Apple claims the 2024 Mini’s Neural Engine is twice as fast as the 2021 model. This refers to Apple’s version of the neural processing unit (NPU), the low-powered part of a chip dedicated to sustained AI workloads.
This brings us to the main point of difference between iPad Minis: Apple Intelligence. About to roll out in Australia, it’s a set of generative AI features that only runs on some of the latest Apple devices.
Without getting too bogged down in details, Apple Intelligence will add more context-aware functionality to Siri in an attempt to boost the AI assistant’s helpfulness. It’ll also include built-in Chat-GPT integration, AI image editing, text composition tools, and custom emojis.
Apple Pencil Pro
When Apple launched new versions of the Pro and Air iPads, it also introduced the Apple Pencil Pro. A new and improved version of the brand’s stylus accessory, it includes haptic controls that let you squeeze the barrel to bring up a quick-access menu. Equipped with a built-in gyroscope, the Apple Pencil Pro also adjusts your input based on angles, providing a more realistic writing and drawing experience.
However, Apple’s Pro-level pencil only supports the latest iPads. Until now, that didn’t include the previous Mini tablets. Fortunately, the 2024 iPad Mini works with the peripheral alongside the base Pencil.
Faster wireless and wired connectivity
A subtle but meaningful upgrade to those with decent home networks, the 2024 iPad Mini uses Wi-Fi 6E technology. It’s faster and more stable than the Wi-Fi 6 tech used by the 2021 model, although it’s not quite as fast as the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard.
In the real world, this means better Wi-Fi performance like faster speeds and a more reliable connection. In terms of wireless technology, that puts the iPad Mini on par with the new Pro and Air models.
Apple also claims the 2024 Mini supports up to 10Gbps transfer speeds via its USB-C port, as much as two times faster than the 2021 tablet.
iPad Mini specs comparison
That’s about the crux of what’s changed between the Gen 7 iPad Mini versus the Gen 6 iPad Mini. If you already have the 2021 model, the main incentives to upgrade are access to Apple Intelligence features and Apple Pencil Pro support. Otherwise, the older model is still a perfectly fine tablet.
To give you a further idea of just how similar the iPad Mini models are, check out the main specs below:
| iPad Mini 7th Generation (2024) | iPad Mini 6th Generation (2021) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | Liquid Retina LED display 2,266 x 1,488 resolution 326 ppi |
Liquid Retina LED display 2,266 x 1,488 resolution 326 ppi |
| Size | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm 297 grams |
195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm 297 grams |
| Processor | A17 Pro 6-core CPU 5-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine |
A15 6-core CPU 5-core GPU 16-core Neural Engine |
| Storage | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
64GB 256GB |
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours of video playback | Up to 10 hours of video playback |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 5G (sub-6GHz) USB-C eSIM |
Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 5G (sub-6GHz) USB-C Nano-SIM eSIM |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes | No |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil Pro Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Price | From $799 | From $749 |
| Colours | Space Grey Starlight Blue Purple |
Space Grey Pink Purple Starlight |
You’ll also notice this year’s model drops support for physical Nano-SIM cards. That’s not a huge surprise, considering the push towards eSIM technology, but worth remembering if you use cellular data.
Apple’s 2024 iPad Mini also starts at $50 more than the 2021 model; at least the expanded storage options are a nice inclusion.
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