The main upgrade is the processor, which jumps two generations from the A15 to the A17 Pro (although it uses a 5-core GPU instead of the iPhone 15 Pro’s 6-core GPU). Thanks to hardware improvements, the 7th generation iPad mini will support Apple Intelligence and will likely increase RAM from 4GB to 8GB. Apple does not disclose RAM specifications other than the M series processor. Nevertheless, the Mini is still far behind the older iPad Air, which has a larger screen and an M-class Mac chip.
Aside from the processor upgrade, you’ll have to look deeper to find what’s different about the 2021 model.
- It supports the latest Apple Pencil Pro (including hover function), and support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil is discontinued.
- The default storage capacity is 128GB, not 64GB.
- Smart HDR 3 has been upgraded to Smart HDR 4.
- Wi-Fi 6 has been improved to Wi-Fi 6E.
- Supports Bluetooth 5.3.
- Now only eSIM is offered and the nano SIM slot has been removed.
- The charging port is USB 3.1 2nd generation, supporting speeds of up to 10Gbps, which is twice as fast as the previous generation.
- Space Gray, Starlight, and Purple are still available, but the pink color has been replaced with blue. All colors have become less saturated and more vivid.
In summary, the physical design has not changed. That means you can still use the vertical FaceTime camera. Both cameras are the same, but Smart HDR 4 performs slightly better in difficult lighting conditions.
It is not equipped with the same M chip family as the premium iPad, and there is no 1TB storage option. It does not support smart connectors or its own magic keyboard. Apple even used the same wallpaper in marketing images on its website.
The new iPad mini is available for pre-order in the United States right away and will be shipped on Wednesday, October 23rd. The sales schedule in Korea has not yet been confirmed. The starting price for 128GB is 749,000 won.
editor@itworld.co.kr
Source: www.itworld.co.kr
