Apple Unveils New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip And Apple Intelligence Support

Apple has introduced a new version of its iPad mini, updated with the powerful A17 Pro chip and compatibility with Apple Intelligence, the company’s cutting-edge generative AI platform. This marks the first major update to the 8.3-inch device since 2021, bringing significant performance improvements and advanced AI capabilities to Apple's smallest tablet.

The A17 Pro chip, which was initially launched with the iPhone 15 Pro, is now powering the iPad mini. It features a six-core CPU with two performance cores and four efficiency cores, along with a five-core GPU, making it much faster and more efficient than its predecessor, the A16 Bionic chip. The most significant upgrade comes from the neural engine, which allows the iPad mini to harness the full potential of Apple Intelligence through iPadOS 18.

The new iPad mini also comes with the revamped Calculator app, which can now respond to handwritten input, adding versatility for users who prefer to jot down notes. The device supports both Apple Pencil and Pencil Pro, enhancing its appeal to digital artists and note-takers alike.

The inclusion of Apple Intelligence in the new iPad mini marks a milestone for the tablet, enabling features like advanced writing tools and a completely refreshed Siri experience. While some elements, such as Image Playground for graphic generation and ChatGPT integration with Apple Intelligence, are still in development, this update places the iPad mini on par with other Apple devices that already support the AI technology, such as the iPhone 16 line.

Starting at $499 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, the new iPad mini offers double the storage of its predecessor at the same price point. The cellular version starts at $649. Preorders for the new iPad mini are available now, with shipments beginning on October 23.