Apple Refreshes iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip and AI Features
Apple updates the iPad mini for the first time since 2021, equipping the compact tablet with an A17 Pro chip to enable Apple Intelligence. The device also gains support for the Pencil Pro and doubles its starting storage to 128GB.
Apple unveils a significantly upgraded iPad mini, marking the first major update to the 8.3-inch tablet since 2021. The new model features the A17 Pro chip, which provides a major performance boost over the older A16 Bionic processor and unlocks access to Apple Intelligence. This addition brings advanced AI capabilities like enhanced writing tools and a refreshed Siri experience to the smallest iPad, making it the last non-base model in the lineup to gain the feature.
The compact tablet also embraces new input capabilities by adding support for the Apple Pencil Pro alongside the standard Pencil. This compatibility allows users to take advantage of advanced drawing tools and a revamped Calculator app that solves mathematical equations written by hand. Additionally, the device sports a 12-megapixel rear camera with Smart HDR 4 for improved photo quality while retaining the convenient Touch ID sensor in the power button.
Customers see increased value with the new base configuration, which starts at 128GB of storage for $499, doubling the capacity of the previous generation. A cellular-enabled version is available for those who need connectivity on the go, starting at $649. Shoppers can preorder the refreshed iPad mini today ahead of its official shipping date on October 23.