Apple has officially introduced the much-anticipated 7th generation iPad mini, marking a significant performance upgrade over its predecessor. One of the most significant features of the new iPad mini is its A17 Pro chipset, the same powerful SoC found in the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
A17 Pro: Not Quite as Pro in the iPad mini 7
However, a closer look reveals that Apple has implemented a binned version of the A17 Pro, with a 5-core GPU instead of the 6-core GPU found in the iPhone 15 Pro models, suggesting a strategic move to repurpose slightly less powerful chips for the iPad mini.
The iPad mini 7 packs a 6-core CPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, matching the core structure of the A17 Pro in last year’s Pro iPhones. This means users can expect similar levels of processing power and AI capabilities, making it a formidable tool for multitasking, creative apps, and gaming. The most apparent difference is the 5-core GPU, which might slightly affect graphics performance, though most users are unlikely to notice this in everyday use.
In addition to the A17 Pro chipset, the iPad mini 7 brings a jump in RAM capacity, doubling from 4GB in the previous model to 8GB. This improvement enables smoother multitasking and supports Apple’s new AI-driven features. For iPad enthusiasts, this is the most affordable entry point to experience Apple’s latest machine learning enhancements with iOS 18.1.
The binned A17 Pro chipset suggests Apple’s ongoing approach to optimizing production costs. Chip-binning involves using components that don’t meet the highest performance standards in flagship devices but are still functional for other products. For the iPad mini 7, the 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU combination likely results from production batches that didn’t meet the exacting requirements for the iPhone 15 Pro series. Rather than discarding these chips, Apple repurposes them, allowing the iPad mini to enjoy the benefits of A17 Pro performance at a lower cost.
This isn’t the first time Apple has utilized chip-binning in its products. The A15 Bionic in the iPad mini 6 ran at slightly lower clock speeds than the version in the iPhone 13 Pro, and similar differences were noted with the M2 chip in the recent iPad Air models. While some users may lament that the iPad mini 7 doesn’t include the A18 Pro chipset, this move likely contributes to its accessible $499 starting price.
Despite its internal upgrades, the iPad mini 7 maintains the same sleek, portable design that fans of the line have come to appreciate. With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, and compatibility with the Apple Pencil Pro, the new model is perfect for those seeking a compact yet capable device for both work and play.
iPad Mini 7 is now available for pre-order, with an official release date of October 23. Check out our latest article to find out if upgrading to the iPad Mini 7 is the right choice for you!
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