All the highlights you should know about Apple’s latest iPad mini

Tech giant Apple has unveiled the latest addition to its lineup: the iPad mini. A more compact version of the iconic iPad, this device is perfect for those constantly on the move and prefer a more portable tech companion. With upgrades to its chip and capabilities, this fresh launch will prove to pack a punch in your arsenal of devices. 

“There is no other device in the world like iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. Ahead, you’ll find all the key features of the iPad mini that will surely win you over. 

A17 PRO CHIP

The new iPad mini comes powered by the A17 Pro Chip, marking a new era in speed, efficiency, and performance for the device. Expect your iPad mini to be able to handle just about everything from menial tasks to the more testing operations. Along with the new chip, it is also equipped with a faster six-core CPU and five-core GPU, alongside a more efficient Neural Engine. These upgrades also include improved graphics, pro app capabilities, and gaming experiences. 

The iPad mini was also built with Apple Intelligence in mind, so you’ll have the world or artificial intelligence in your hands. On top of all this, the latest iPadOS 18 will bring your overall user experience to the next level. Want to get caught up on all that Apple Intelligence has to offer? Read our guide here. 

APPLE PENCIL PRO SUPPORT

You read that right. The new iPad mini is now compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro so all your design, note-taking, and journaling possibilities have been taken to new heights. With just a squeeze of the pencil, you’ll access a plethora of tools across a range of apps. Rotating the pencil can also change the orientation of your brush or pen tool. You can find more of the Apple Pencil Pro’s capabilities here. 

NEW FINISHES

If you thought the original shades of the iPads didn’t fit your vibe, think again. Apple has released two brand new finishes for the iPad mini, a pastel blue and light lilac purple. These new additions to the colour lineup offer a fresh new look for the device and join the pre-existing starlight and space grey versions. 

SMART HDR 4

While this iPad mini retains the same 12-megapixel wide back camera from its predecessor, it is now equipped with Smart HDR 4. This means your photos will turn out more crisp and vivid than ever before. Plus, the 16-core Neural Engine within the iPad mini also makes your document scanning processes more accurate. It harnesses the power of AI to identify documents within the camera app and utilises the new True Tone flash to ensure no shadows are visible on your scan. 

CONNECTIVITY

Expect lightning fast connectivity with the new iPad mini, as it supports Wi-Fi 6E. This new upgrade delivers performance twice as fast compared to the previous generation of iPad minis. Streaming movies, downloading big files, playing online games, and conducting large video calls will now be an even more seamless experience. The cellular models also allow eSim usage so you can quickly connect to your networks wherever you are. Lastly, the USB-C’s port is also two times faster than the prior version, so your imports will be done in a jiffy.

PRICES AND AVAILABILITY

Pricing for the new iPad mini starts at RM2,199  for the Wi-Fi model and RM2,899  for the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The full price list is as follows:

• Wi-Fi, 128GB: RM2,199
• Wi-Fi, 256GB: RM2,599
• Wi-Fi, 512GB: RM3,499
• Wi-Fi + Cellular, 128GB: RM2,899
• Wi-Fi + Cellular, 256GB: RM3,299
• Wi-Fi + Cellular, 512GB: RM4,199

According to Apple, the iPad mini will be available online and in stores around Malaysia soon.

Find more Apple reads here.