Just How much better is the new iPad Mini 7 compared to the old iPad Mini 6? Well, in this article, I’m going to be comparing everything, including the performance, the speakers, the cameras, and the displays, to see if Apple fixed the jelly scrolling issues. I also want to see if the A7 Pro chip is too hot for this small chassis. Well, let’s get right into it! So we have the new iPad Mini 7.
Best Comparison: iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7
| Feature | iPad Mini 6 | iPad Mini 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2021 | 2024 |
| Design | Similar design with 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD | Similar design with 8.3-inch Liquid Retina LCD |
| Display | 60Hz refresh rate, 2,266 x 1,488 pixels, 326 ppi | 60Hz refresh rate, 2,266 x 1,488 pixels, 326 ppi |
| Weight | 293 grams (Wi-Fi), slightly heavier for Wi-Fi + cellular | 293 grams (Wi-Fi), slightly heavier for Wi-Fi + cellular |
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | A17 Pro |
| CPU Cores | 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency) | 6-core CPU (2 performance, 4 efficiency) |
| GPU | 4-core GPU | 5-core GPU |
| Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine | 16-core Neural Engine |
| Performance Boost | – | 30% CPU boost, 25% GPU boost over A15 Bionic |
| Ray Tracing Support | No | Yes |
| Software | iPadOS version not supporting AI features | iPadOS 18 with Apple Intelligence features |
| Accessories Support | Supports 2nd Gen Apple Pencil | Supports Apple Pencil Pro with advanced features |
| Battery | 5,078 mAh | 5,078 mAh |
| USB Type C Support | USB Type C 3.1 | USB Type C 3.1 |
| Storage Options | Base variant: 64GB, 256GB available | Base variant: 128GB, up to 512GB available |
| Price | Starting at Rs 48,900 (64GB), Rs 59,900 (256GB) | Starting at Rs 49,990 (128GB), Rs 79,990 (512GB) |
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : Design
In terms of design, no major changes compared to the iPad Mini 6. One key difference is that the iPad Mini 7 now has “iPad Mini” engraved on the back, unlike the previous model, which only had “iPad.” Also, the SIM tray has been removed, meaning it now relies solely on eSIM for cellular connectivity.
Other design elements remain the same: we still have Touch ID, the same power and volume buttons on top, and the vertical camera layout. However, the Mini 7 introduces two new colors—a lighter purple and a blue—replacing the previous purple and pink from the Mini 6.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : Display
talk about the display. Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed with the updates here. It still has the same 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits of brightness. Plus, we still have the same bezels, which feel outdated, especially when you see how thin the iPhone 16 Pro’s bezels are. No ProMotion again this year, so we’re still stuck with a 60Hz refresh rate, which feels behind in 2024. But, on a positive note, Apple has finally fixed the jelly scroll issue that plagued the iPad Mini 6.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : performance
When it comes to performance, though, this is where the iPad Mini 7 shines. It features the A17 Pro chip (compared to the A15 on the Mini 6) with 3nm architecture, making it significantly faster. It also gets a major memory upgrade—8GB of RAM compared to 4GB on the previous model.
One of the biggest reasons to upgrade is the Apple Intelligence feature. Thanks to the A17 Pro, the Mini 7 is now future-proof, supporting Apple’s generative AI tools.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : Camera
In terms of photography, not much has changed. We now have Smart HDR 4 compared to HDR 3 on the Mini 6, meaning slightly better photos with more vivid colors. There’s also a new True Tone flash, which can make scanning documents easier, but overall, photography improvements are minor.
Connectivity and storage upgrades
Connectivity upgrades are also worth mentioning. The iPad Mini 7 now supports Wi-Fi 6E (compared to Wi-Fi 6 on the Mini 6) for faster speeds and lower latency. It also includes Bluetooth 5.3 and a USB-C port upgrade to USB 3.1 Gen 2, doubling data transfer speeds.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : Pencil
Lastly, for the creatives out there, the iPad Mini 7 now supports the Apple Pencil Pro, which includes squeeze-sensitive technology, barrel roll, and haptic feedback—features that elevate the drawing and writing experience.
iPad Mini 6 vs. iPad Mini 7 : Price
Let’s talk about price. The iPad Mini 7 starts at $499 and finally includes 128GB of storage (up from 64GB on the iPad Mini 6). For $100 more, you can get 256GB, which is probably the sweet spot. If you want the max storage—512GB—you’ll have to pay $799.
conclusion
So, is the iPad Mini 7 worth upgrading from the Mini 6? Yes, mainly because it’s more future-proof with features like Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The storage upgrade is also a welcome change, and the jelly scroll fix is a big relief.
However, there are still some missed. Face ID is still not here, and the bezels could definitely be smaller. It would’ve been nice if they’d also switched the camera to a horizontal layout, which aligns with other iPads.
So, what do you think about the iPad Mini 7? Is it worth the upgrade from the iPad Mini 6, or are you sticking with what you have? Let me know in the comments.
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