Current Apples 8 inch iPad mini, may be over 1-year old, but most other makers have replaced the slightly larger than phablet tablets with their foldable linup providing similar size in a smaller formfactor device. Currently Apple is one of the few makers clining on to “small” tablets without voice and telecom functionality built in.
Latest iPad mini 7 news (updated 2nd May, 2023)
Chi-ming Kuo gives some info on a foldable iPad; the new device may be equipped a kickstand, most Liekly Apple is not able tocreate a foldable product with the large profit margin expected from the company before 2025.
iPad mini release date
If we were to speculate, given that the current model is more than a year old, the likeliest scenario would be an iPad mini announcement sometime in late 2023 or early 2024. Prominent Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also seems to believe that the next iPad mini will launch somewhere around that time. It should be noted that the iPad mini lineup used to follow a very regular and predictable release schedule. The first 4 generations were each announced within about 1 year of one another. Hence, the iPad mini received annual refreshes until 2015.
However, this changed with the iPad mini 5 which broke the established timeframe and launched some 3 and a half years after its predecessor. It took another 2 and a half years for the iPad mini 6, the current latest iteration, to be released. For a full breakdown of all the relevant launch and announcement dates, you can refer to the table below.
iPad mini price
Given the limited (or rather non-existent) information currently available, it is impossible to predict what the starting price of the iPad mini 7 is going to be. Nevertheless, Apple just introduced a price increase with the latest generation, after previously freezing the starting price for the better part of a decade. Hence, it is possible that the Cupertino company might keep the starting price of the iPad mini the same as the one of the current model (i.e. $499 for the Wi-Fi version, and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version).
iPad mini camera
Traditionally, iPads have never been camera-oriented devices. Thus, it is rather self-explanatory why there is virtually nothing on the prospective camera module of the iPad mini. Safe to say it will not be on par even with latest phones from Apple.
iPad mini storage
Apple is notoriously stingy when it comes to storage. Given that the company’s Pro devices currently start with a measly 128GB, it is very likely that the iPad mini 7 will still have a base 64GB of internal storage.
iPad mini design
No change planned or exepcted from current iPads.
iPad mini display
The iPad mini does not have a particularly impressive display. Many are hoping to see a more advanced panel on the next iPad mini.
While Apple is currently working on bringing OLED technology to its iPad lineup, the emphasis is on the company’s high-end tablets (i.e. the iPad Pro). In all likelihood, the iPad mini will still feature a basic LCD panel. Additionally, the display could be upgraded to 120Hz, but it is unlikely as this would cut into the profit-margin.
iPad mini battery
Most likely similar or no upgrade from previous generation.
iPad mini features and software
We do expect M processor to power an iPad mini in the foreseeable future. Perhaps, the iPad mini 7 will have a high-end A-series SoC at its heart – perhaps the A16 or A17. The tablet will also be running the latest version of iOS at launch.
Should I wait for the iPad mini?
Current gen has a poor screen, is small, and does not provide muche value, screen estate over the largest phones available. If you need an 8 inch iPad the best advice is to wait.