Apple iPad Mini 2024: release date predictions and rumored features
In May 2024, Apple finally updated the iPad line and brought the wonderful (and then some) iPad Pro M4 and the iPad Air M2.
The iPad mini 2024, the reason why you're on this very page, did not make an appearance. That's a pity!
Both of the mini's bigger siblings now share a trait, though: a bigger sized variant. Apple noted that most users, looking for a tablet, end up picking up the bigger one in size. But sometimes you need a compact, powerful device to get the job done, and that still rings true in 2024.
Hence: we hope to see the iPad mini in 2024. The latest rumors, however, state otherwise.
Are we finally closer to the release of the iPad mini 2024?
The current iteration, the iPad mini 6, may be well over two years old (it was released on September 24, 2021), but it still reigns supreme. The most likely new leader will probably be another Apple product: enter the iPad mini 2024.
The “best tablet” (as a concept) varies for everyone based on lifestyle and needs, making the iPad mini the go-to choice for all who crave small tablets. It's going to be called the “iPad mini 7th generation”. Further on, we will simply refer to it as “iPad mini 7” or “iPad mini 2024”.
Up until recently expected to launch in the latter half of the year, the iPad mini 2024 has stirred anticipation among Apple fans since no new tablet (big or small) came from Apple in 2023. Insights from noted analysts hint at a production timeline extending into Fall 2024, reflecting a departure from the iPad mini's once predictable annual update cycle.
Amid speculation, the pricing strategy is likely to align with the precedent set by the iPad mini 6, suggesting starting prices around $499 for the Wi-Fi model and $649 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant, despite potential camera and storage upgrades emphasizing enhancements like Photonic Engine technology and a base storage of 64GB. If, however, newer (read: fancier) display options come into play, expecting the same price as the 2021 iPad mini 6 is... well, unrealistic.
The design of the iPad mini 7 is anticipated to continue the boxy, flat-sided look characteristic of its predecessor, possibly with new color options.
The design of the iPad mini 7 is anticipated to continue the boxy, flat-sided look characteristic of its predecessor, possibly with new color options.
Regarding performance, the tablet may feature an advanced A-series chip, such as the A16 or A17, and come equipped with iPadOS 18, ensuring compatibility with the latest connectivity standards. Or is Apple planning to put a powerful M-chip in the compact slate?
Here's a more detailed breakdown of the information about the upcoming iPad mini 2024 so far:
Jump to section:
- Release date
- Price
- Camera
- Storage
- Design
- Display
- Battery
- Features and software
- Should I wait for the iPad mini Gen 7?
- Latest iPad mini 7 news
iPad mini 7 release date
The latest rumor about the iPad mini 7 states that this bad boy could come in... 2026. The good part is that it's expected to ditch the LCD screen in exchange for an OLED one. Good!
So, the rumors claim that the next iPad mini is going to pack an 8.4-inch OLED screen. According to recent reports, Samsung has started developing an OLED panel in the 8-inch range for this upcoming iPad mini at Apple's request. An industry insider indicated that initial sample development began last month, with mass production expected to commence later this year. However, the OLED panel for the iPad mini is unlikely to use the tandem OLED technology found in the latest iPad Pro (2024) tablets. It's most likely going to be a "regular" (as in "single-layered) OLED panel, which is still great.
However, nothing is yet confirmed by Apple. After we've paid attention to the rumor that reads we're going to get an iPad mini in 2026, let's just not lose all hope and see what prior rumors have stated. Maybe they'll turn out to be correct!
Based on earlier predictions by industry experts, the iPad mini 2024 could come to light somewhere in the second half of 2024. That's exactly in line with what Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said in one of his December 2023 articles.
- The iPad mini 2024 is expected to come "later in 2024" - later than the May 7, 2024 announcement of iPad Air and iPad Pro.
In the middle of October 2023, there was a brief, but memorable hype around a rumor that said Apple is to suddenly roll out three new iPad models, one of which was vowed to be none other than the iPad mini 2024. The day this was supposed to happen came and went away, leaving tablet aficionados with a bitter taste in their mouths, but there was something unveiled after all: a cheaper Apple Pencil 3 with USB-C charging.
In November, none other than tried and trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentioned the upcoming pocketable tablet briefly, stating that its production may be postponed for the fall of 2024 (which is also when we expect the 11th-generation iPad).
However, this changed with the iPad mini 5 which broke the established timeframe and launched some three and a half years after its predecessor. It took another two 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.
Apple surprised us with a sudden announcement, centered around all things iPad, slated for May 7, 2024. We were hoping for the iPad mini 2024 to get at least a mention there, but that didn't end up being the case. It seems like if the iPad mini 2024 is indeed coming, it will be saved for a later release, as some earlier rumors suggest.
So far, nothing is certain, but the rumors have it that the iPad mini 2024 could offer software features like Photonic Engine (Apple's computational photography technology that enhances photos and helps in low-light scenarios). Among other possible updates could be the addition of ProRes video recording, Audio zoom, stereo audio recording, Portrait mode, and Portrait Lighting support.
Apple has previously stated that this jelly scrolling phenomenon is a typical behavior for LCD displays used in iPads. However, feedback indicates that this effect is more pronounced and potentially distracting on the iPad mini's compact screen. To mitigate this, Apple is reportedly considering rotating the screen assembly to lessen the jelly scrolling effect.
| Model | Announcement date | Launch date |
|---|---|---|
| iPad mini (1st generation) | October 23, 2012 | November 2, 2012 |
| iPad mini 2 | October 22, 2013 | November 12, 2013 |
| iPad mini 3 | October 16, 2014 | October 22, 2014 |
| iPad mini 4 | September 9, 2015 | September 9, 2015 |
| iPad mini 5 | March 18, 2019 | March 18, 2019 |
| iPad mini 6 | September 14, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
| iPad mini 7 | H2 2024 (Expected release date) ... or 2026! | N/A |
iPad mini 7 price
We can’t be certain of the price as of the moment, but we can speculate on the topic.
Apple 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 2024 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). If, however, the mini arrives with an OLED display, I'd expect a price hike.
| Model | Starting price (Wi-Fi only) | Starting price (Wi-Fi + Cellular) |
|---|---|---|
| iPad mini | $329 | $459 |
| iPad mini 2 | $399 | $529 |
| iPad mini 3 | $399 | $529 |
| iPad mini 4 | $399 | $529 |
| iPad mini 5 | $399 | $529 |
| iPad mini 6 | $499 | $649 |
| iPad mini 7 | $499 (Expected) | $649 (Expected) |
iPad mini 7 cameras
Traditionally, iPads (and especially iPad minis) have never been camera-centric devices. We don't expect this device to shine in the camera department, but an update to the front and rear cameras is due. It's 2024 already, after all! The current iPad mini shares the same cameras found across all current iPad models: A 12-megapixel rear camera with an ƒ/1.8 aperture, and a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide front-facing camera with an ƒ/2.4 aperture.
iPad mini 7 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 2024 will still have a base 64GB of internal storage.
- We expect a 256GB model as well.
iPad mini 7 design
With the iPad mini 6, Apple revamped the design to the more boxy look with flat sides that it now uses for all other iPads and most iPhones. Thus, we expect minor touch ups, or even the same exact design for this year's petite Apple tablet.
New color options, however, have been discussed lately. The current iPad mini is available in Space Gray, Starlight, Pink, and Purple. Apple could draw inspiration from the iPhone 15 line, and offer the iPad mini 2024 in Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Pink hues. Take this with a pinch of salt, as this is only a speculation.
iPad mini 7 display
The iPad mini 6 does not have a particularly impressive display. In fact, that is one of the biggest pet peeves users have with the current model, most notably the jelly scrolling issue.
Apple has already brought OLED technology to its iPad Pro M4 2024 lineup. Up until recently, everybody expected the iPad mini 7 to still feature an LCD panel. Additionally, earlier reports that the refresh rate of the display could be upgraded to 120Hz have been disproven by Ross Young, a prominent display industry insider.
However, as we mentioned above, the iPad mini 2024 could actually arrive in 2026 with an OLED display.
Even if that doesn't happen, the jelly scrolling issue could be addressed: a rumor suggests that Apple is considering a design adjustment for the upcoming iPad mini to address exactly that. This issue is particularly noticeable when scrolling through text-heavy content in portrait mode. As users scroll, there's an effect where text lines seem to skew to the left, creating an illusion that one side of the display refreshes faster than the other.
Apple has previously stated that this jelly scrolling phenomenon is a typical behavior for LCD displays used in iPads. However, feedback indicates that this effect is more pronounced and potentially distracting on the iPad mini's compact screen. To mitigate this, Apple is reportedly considering rotating the screen assembly to lessen the jelly scrolling effect.
iPad mini 7 battery
The iPad mini lineup boasts an impressive battery life, which is unlikely to change with the iPad mini 7.
If we're to predict the battery on the tablet, it's best to look at the iPad mini 6, as these two are expected to be similar in design.
The iPad mini 6 packs a 5078 mAh capacity battery. This is roughly the size of a big phone's battery, so don't expect it to last as much as the iPad Pro models, which have up to twice the battery size. Even if the iPad mini 2024 doesn't offer a boost in the battery department, the single-day battery life on this small tablet is respectable, especially considering the power that it's packing.
iPad mini 7 features and software
We do not expect an M processor to power an iPad mini in 2024, but if the mini is postponed for 2026... who knows? The M chip is not out of the question entirely!
If launched at the end of 2024, the iPad mini 7 could bring a high-end A-series SoC at its heart — perhaps the A16 or A17. The tablet (if released in 2024), could come with iPadOS 18.
Should Apple decide to equip the iPad mini with the A17 chip, it would elevate the tablet to the same performance level as the iPhone 15 Pro models. Additionally, it is anticipated that the new iPad mini will feature support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, aligning it with the latest connectivity standards in recent Apple products like the iPhone 15 Pro and latest Macs. These advancements in wireless technology have already been integrated into the newest iPad Pro, iPhone 15 Pro models, and the majority of the latest Macs.
Should I wait for the iPad mini 7?
The iPad mini 2024 is looking like a minor upgrade with a new chipset, faster performance and other smaller improvements. However, it won’t get big upgrades like an OLED screen or 120Hz ProMotion.
- You should wait for the iPad mini Gen 7 if you own a much older iPad or you have decided to switch from a bigger iPad to a mini one. If you're looking for a compact tablet, why not pick one of the best upcoming ones, right?
- You should not wait for the iPad mini Gen 7 if you already own the iPad mini 6, as you probably won’t get too much out of an upgrade. Those big ticket items are likely to arrive in a future iPad mini that could arrive in 2026, if we were to guess. Naturally, the same goes if you already own another tablet that you're happy with.
Latest iPad mini 7 news
Latest iPad mini 7 news
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