Apple is rumored to be just weeks away from introducing an updated iPad mini. Here's what the rumor mill expects what features it will have, and what it probably wont.
The last update to the iPad mini was in September 2021, making it close to three years since Apple refreshed the tablet. The long upgrade gap makes Apple's smallest tablet a prime candidate for an upgrade in the not-too-distant future.
With an Apple Event on September 9, that upgrade could arrive as part of Apple's wave of product launches.
Over the last few years, the iPad mini has been the subject of rumors and speculation, which has now come to a head. This is what is currently expected of Apple's seventh generation of its pint-sized slate.
iPad mini upgrades: Probably happening soon
A three-year gap between updates isn't a guarantee that changes are on the way soon. Apple could easily wait until a later time to update the iPad mini if it wants.
For example, in August 2023, it was expected that an update would arrive in the fall of that year, which turned out to be wrong. Others believed an update wasn't on the way until 2024.
What does help the case of a potential upgrade is reports that Apple stores are low in stock of the iPad mini in various configurations. The same report added that the iPad mini is considered "constrained" internally.
As Apple tends to reduce stock on products before an update arrives, this certainly helps the 2024 update rumors.
Add in the push for Apple Intelligence across Apple's hardware lines, and an update becomes even more likely.
iPad mini upgrades: Display
The screen of the iPad mini was an 8.3-inch LCD version in the current sixth-generation release. Based on the lack of chatter about display tech, things may stay the same in most ways.
That would include the 1,488 by 2,266 resolution, and the LCD tech. Current estimates are that OLED will arrive on the iPad mini sometime in 2026.
The thing that may change is the "jelly scrolling" issue from the iPad mini 6. After release, users discovered a wobbly effect when scrolling, caused by the display refreshing slower on one side than the other.
This inevitably spawned a class-action lawsuit against Apple. In October 2023, it was claimed that Apple changed the direction of the screen assembly, leading to improvements.
If all Apple did was update the internals of the iPad mini, it would consider how it constructs its displays more this time around, minimizing the chance of jelly scrolling.
While there's always a slim sliver of hope for ProMotion to be included from the iPad Pro family, it seems unlikely this time around. In October 2023, leaker claimed the iPad mini 7 wouldn't have the 120Hz display of its Pro-grade counterparts.
iPad mini upgrades: A processor overhaul
If historical trends are any indication, the iPad mini gets a powerful chip, but not the highest-end one, when it's update. We're expecting the same to happen this time around.
This all comes down to Apple Intelligence.
Since it is expected that Apple will enable Apple Intelligence support on the iPad mini, it makes sense that the chip inside it has been upgraded to match.
With consumers likely to be turned off a new iPad mini if it doesn't include Apple Intelligence versus the M-series models, this gives Apple more of a motivation to make the change.
As to what the update could be, there are a few possibilities.
One option is the use of an M-series chip, following the lead of the iPad Air. With it upgraded to the M2 and priced comparatively with the iPad mini, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Apple to move the smallest model to the same chip, or possibly the M1.
If Apple doesn't go for the M-series, then it will need to go for a newer A-series chip than the A15 included in the sixth-gen model.
That means Apple should be using an A17 Pro chip at a minimum. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max both use the chip and were the first devices to be able to use Apple Intelligence, making it an apt choice.
Apple may go one step further, by adding the A18 to the iPad mini instead, matching the iPhone 16 generation. This is still a possibility, as it would play into Apple's tendency to not update the iPad mini each year.
iPad mini upgrades: Cameras
Apple has been slowly moving the front-facing camera of its iPads. While previously they were located on the short side, making it the top camera when the iPad is held in portrait orientation, it has been migrating over to the long edge.
This has proven useful for consumers who have gotten used to using the iPad in landscape orientation while video calling others. The move has already been made in the iPad, the iPad Pro, and iPad Air, leaving the iPad mini the last to make the change.
The rear camera is likely to continue to be a 12-megapixel sensor, mirroring the versions in the iPad Air and 10th-gen iPad. However, Apple could possibly add a 48-megapixel camera, matching the one used in current-gen iPhones.
iPad mini upgrades: Pencil
One area that's widely open to speculation is whether Apple will make any changes to the Apple Pencil situation.
The current-gen model supports the USB-C Apple Pencil as well as the second-gen stylus. However, with the introduction of the Apple Pencil Pro, Apple may include support for that one instead of the second-gen model.
If Apple does move the front camera position, the shifting of internal components may force the adoption of the Apple Pencil Pro anyway.
iPad mini upgrades: Small changes
If the iPad mini does turn out to be a spec-bump update, you probably won't see many major changes for the hardware, save for a few important ones. Apple could alter other elements, but it has little reason to do so unless it overhauled the model.
There's not been any rumors about a switch away from Touch ID to Face ID, but it could change it. Wi-Fi 6 could possibly change to Wi-Fi 6E, and the 5G cellular connectivity could stay relatively static too.
The landscape speakers, the dual microphones, and even 64GB and 256GB capacities are equally likely.
However, no-one will really know what's new with the model until Apple actually shows it off for the first time.
