iPad mini 7 review roundup: should you buy Apple's mini tablet?

The internet's verdict on the iPad mini 7

· TechRadar

News By Mark Wilson published 26 October 2024

(Image credit: Future)

The internet was flooded with iPad mini 7 reviews this week after Apple's quiet announcement of the mini tablet on October 15. Given it's been three years since we last saw Apple launch an 8.3-inch iPad, surely it's a must-buy for tablet fans? According to those reviews, the answer is a little more complex than you might expect.

This is because the mini 7 is, most agree, something of a mixed bag. It now has an A17 Pro chip (for Apple Intelligence), supports the Pencil Pro, boosts its base storage to 128GB, and comes in fancy new colors. But its design and screen are also, among other things, the same as before. And that's disappointing to some who had lofty expectations for the tablet.

So, how did the iPad mini 7 perform in its various benchmarking tests and real-world scenarios? And what exactly can you use it for? We've gathered and summarized the biggest iPad mini 7 reviews so far in one handy place so you can decide if it's worth spending $499 / £499 / AU$799 – starting, of course, with TechRadar's own iPad mini 7 review.

TechRadar: 'A premium mini tablet experience that still captivates'

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Our iPad mini A17 Pro (2024) review praised the performance of Apple's new mini tablet, despite its inclusion of an older A17 Pro chip. In our GeekBench 6 tests, the scores show a significant performance jump from the iPad mini 6, which also supports Apple Intelligence features.

On the downside, the iPad mini 7 is otherwise largely identical to its predecessor. As we noted, "Apple didn't bother to upgrade the design, the screen, the cameras, or the speakers."

Our battery life tests showed that it also provides just over ten hours of battery life, which is about par for an 8.3-inch tablet. Still, while it isn't an exciting upgrade, we enjoyed our time with the iPad enough to give it four-and-a-half stars and a 'recommended' rating.

The good

  • Perfectly portable
  • Excellent build
  • Lovely screen
  • A great Pencil Pro companion

The bad

  • Pricey for the size
  • Aging design
  • FaceTime camera still on the short side of the screen

The Verge: 'The new Mini isn't much of an upgrade at all'

(Image credit: Future)

The most critical take on Apple's new mini tablet so far has come from The Verge. It even says the mini 7 "represents a new low for the product," while also stating "if you want an iPad mini, buy this one."

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