I have had a Mini 6 64gb for 2+ years. Edit RAW files daily from drone, Olympus camera and Insta 360.. no issues.. also edit 4k drone and Insta videos using Lumafusion no issues.. screen is fine. I travel full time so this suits my use case... A perfect companion..🙏
thank you for this comment, I am about to buy the mini 7 and I'm going to be doing the same thing you have described, I'm glad someone that uses it regularly for heavy files editing and works just fine. Thanks!
Am carrying IPad Mini 6 for last 3 years and been great experience. Was looking to upgrade for New processor, new display, Face ID. But thank you Apple you did Not provide all sort after goodies and best part you did Not change the form factor. Now am good with iPad mini 6. Will go long with this.
I traded in my iPad Pro M1 for the new mini. Perfect companion to my MacBook Air M3, where I was using it a lot more than my iPad Pro as, outside of media consumption, anything I wanted to do that was more process intensive my air was easier to use and lighter when I used the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro. The limitations of the mini make it refreshing to use, it’s a great tablet experience, and really fits inbetween using my iPhone or my MacBook. And it’s so portable I bring it with me all the time
The size is the core and the end all be all of buying an iPad mini. Nothing else matters. I travel a lot and I use it to watch Netflix during flights. I also use it as my device to entertain myself when nature calls 😅. The size is so perfect.
There’s a niche for these and it ain’t watching video between the toilet and your TV. These are for doctors and mainly PILOTS as an EFB or electronic flight back which they’re excellent for. I upgraded because of the standard larger storage, the faster chip, the faster WiFi and the extra ram. These have come in handy for running Foreflight as I now have the room to download all of my charts maps and documents for training with room to spare for fun stuff. I also went cellular this time for airports that don’t have WiFi and I’m not throttled by my phones hotspot.
the mini 6 is my go to on-the-go iPad. It fits perfectly in my cargo pants pockets and has been great for journaling, note taking, doing schoolwork, and reading. It's been great for days where I don't need my Pro or when I'm just doing casual activities outside.
(referring to the large amount of comments specifically complaining about 60hz) I've got to be honest, the want for a high refresh rate display on an ipad is nonsense in my opinion. If any change should be made to the dispaly, it should be focused on color, dynamic range, and bezel size. Besides action animations, what are you doing that ever even renders at 120 frames? I get it for high action video games, but the ipad is really a bad device for that anyways. Until high frame rate video streaming is a thing, I see absolutely no reason to have high refersh rate especially on such a small display. The first thing I do on mobile devices I buy is disable high refresh rate mode. To me, having an ever so slightly better battery life is better then not seeing any choppynees in animations when I look close.
I’m not into phones so the iPad mini is a perfect device for me . I use it on the go and at work . The portability makes it a perfect device for me and it’s great to read on it . I watch sports on the iPad mini when I have some downtime at work . The screen can be a little small for that so I also bring my 11 inch iPad Air with me and use that if I can but I certainly wouldn’t want to carry around an 11 inch tablet all the time at work so having an iPad mini is a necessity.
Your question of whether the update to the Mini 7 is enough, only makes me feel better about the purchase of my Mini 6 two years ago. I do use it almost entirely for media consumption, email, reading and it's a great travel companion. At the time I had been considering replacing my then "vintage" iPad Air 2 with a Pro. I'm particularly pleased with having gone down in size to the Mini. I think you nailed it with your take in this review. ✊
I have a 5th gen mini, and have been waiting for a long time for this update, and I must say, initially I felt a bit under-impressed. I just bought an 11" M4 Pro, which I adore, with the Apple pencil pro. But I do think the real value in this mini update is in the price being unchanged for all of the spec improvements. It's kind of the opposite of inflation, so, so welcome. In terms of usage, I have a wifi+cellular mini version and use it for field research--I am out in nature a lot, and can carry the mini along in a front-facing belt-bag and use it with maps apps to gps while trail-walking and to i.d. plants and birds with a.i. apps--of course you could do all of this with a phone, but I find the size factor makes the experience *way* better with the mini. The mini is also super-useful for sharing media with friends on the go, such as photos and videos, where the screen is large enough to show impressive detail in both. Again, my focus is usually on nature, birds, animals, and landscape. The mini is also handy for reading and marking up pdfs as part of my endless nature-learning efforts, light enough to be no burden to hold up a long time while lying on the couch (admittedly a lazy way to read). Thank you for the review.
Which would you recommend for people wanting to “write” on the go (typing with a keyboard) and watching videos when out of the house? I’m torn between the mini and 11 pro.
@@mr_red13 if you’re writing either will work the mini has a smaller form factor so it’s a lot easier to just toss in a small bag and go the Logitech keys to go that just came out is really really good I’ve been using it and it’s like the perfect portable travel keyboard but if you care about like screen quality and if you’re gonna be in a lot of sun and need to see like the details of like whatever you’re looking at on your iPad then I would definitely have to upgrade to like the pro the mini just doesn’t do as well out in the daylight but it’s not a huge issue especially if you’re just riding and can find some shade or doing just text stuff
Just bought a mini 7 and im loving it, it's not mindblowing but more portable , fits into my cargo pocket, and price was affordable with the bf sale going on. A good companion with a iPhone!
I had the mini. 6 got the mini7 and I am not happy my battery still sucks and it still gets hot … I am using it 5 hours top goes from 100 percent down to 50 percent or less watching TH-cam and little games .. I just can’t see 8 hours of battery life on the mini iPads.. maybe I got a lemon ..
I pulled the trigger immediately. I bought the 256K which cost $600 and got a $230 trade-in for my 64K iPad Mini 6 for an out of pocket $370. For me, that’s a bargain. I get a faster processor, four times the memory, a faster USB , pencil Pro support and a brand new device. PS - Arrived Wed AM. To say I’m pleased is understatement. Excellent decision!,
The iPad Mini 6/7 has no real competition in the US. I enjoy mine and sure I would love pro motion and higher brightness levels but for what it does especially the cellular version it’s a rock solid on the go device.
The iPad Mini 7 not worth the upgrade unless your Mini 6 is broken. The Mini 7 offers notable internal upgrades, especially in processing power and connectivity, but falls short in display technology compared to other iPad models. The key takeaways are: Performance boost: The A15 Bionic chip provides a significant performance improvement over its predecessor. However, it's still less powerful than the iPad Air and Pro models. Improved Connectivity: The upgraded USB-C port offers faster data transfer and support for 4K external displays at 60Hz. Wireless connectivity is also enhanced with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E. Dated Display: The display remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, with a 60Hz refresh rate that may feel outdated compared to the smoother ProMotion displays in other iPads. Good for Casual Use: The Mini 7 is best suited for media consumption, light tasks, and note-taking, particularly due to its portable size. Price Considerations: At $499, the Mini 7 is positioned between the less capable iPad 10 and the more powerful iPad Air. The choice depends on your priorities in features, performance, and price.
I'll say it again, the mini is Apple's only "true" iPad in the lineup. The 10th gen iPad just wants to be the air, the air just wants to be the pro, the pro just wants to be a Macbook. The mini is the mini, it knows what it wants to be and it stays true to itself. The price is too gat damn high though.
@@shaneomac8289 I agree the Pros are nice but insanely overpowered for what the OS can even do. I do wish Apple put a better display in the mini though. Even if it was still LCD the 500 nit brightness isn’t that great at times.
i dont get it why people complaining cos its not oled? its a £500 device. The Ipad Air is also a Liquid Retina display like the mini 7 and thats £100 more than the mini so why are people complaining over the mini does not have a oled display??
I don't think it's needs to be OLED, but the refresh rate is what many folks don't like. I think that's in large part because it's been proven that it doesn't cost a ton these days for manufacturers to increase that spec, as there are many sub-$500 devices with 120Hz+.
The problem is people want a thousand dollars worth of upgrades in the mini,But they still want to pay 499.00……..It’s un realistic and stupid😑The iPad mini is great for what it is……If you’re expecting iPad Pro features,Move on cause this isn’t the iPad you’re looking for. You want pro features you pay the pro prices
I’ve been tossing the idea around of getting a mini for gaming. Seems like the perfect screen size while maintaining portability and also slots into the Razer Kishi ultra.
I currently have an M1 iPad Pro and an iPad Mini 6. Thinking about selling both and just go with the iPad Mini 7. Am I nuts? I find the Mini much much more convenient
It's a missed opportunity by Apple. They could've easily given a proper 120hz display + 256 gigs to begin with. Its the end of 2024. And you can't be making such powerhouses with compromises. For the asking price. They could've delivered a smash hit. But no. They are apple. Cash grabbers off late. I was so so looking forward to pick it up. But darn. Its dissapointing. Will stick on with my Ipad 9th gen. It just gets the things done for me
No, they couldn't. Mini is ALWAYS stuck with whatever components are cheaper or at stock. And 120hz would have killed the battery. Nobody needs 800bucks mini
Consumers don’t comprehend business; it’s simply impossible to have 120Hz or OLED in 2024 without a significant price increase to $700-800. For the record, Apple doesn’t manufacture 120Hz IPS panels and won’t, as they’re transitioning to OLED over the next few years. Additionally, Apple refuses to use single-panel OLED due to failed QC and longevity tests, which explains why their initial OLED tablet was a dual-panel Tandem. Currently, the device requires the M4 chip because it has a display processor to handle the dual panels. It’s highly unlikely that a $500 device could ever have an M4!
@@andyH_England who wants an m4 for 499$. With what's on market for such low price than the ipad mini. We as consumers need to get what we deserve for theirbasking price. A beautiful LTPO display + 256 gigs.
Its quite a good upgrade form the Mini 5. For a perspective (which the young don't yet have...) look back 20 years if you actually can and think what a prize the tech from even the iPad mini would be...
The iPad Mini 7 is the best entry level product that Apple has announced in the last few years. My reason for saying this is because it has a usable 128 GB of flash memory. Most £150 entry level Android phones come with 128 Gb of flash memory but Apples entry level £429 iPhone SE 5G only comes with 64 Gb of flash memory with very expensive flash memory upgrades. I am a PC gamer and I paid £200 for a 2 Tb SSD eighteen months ago and paid £200 for a 4 Tb faster SSD recently. Moore's law is therefore still a real thing and Apple should similarly be doubling the flash memory in entry level Macs and iPhones every 18 months with no increase in cost.
I’ve upgraded from the 2019 Gen 5, so it’s a worthwhile purchase for me. Debating whether to get the Pencil Pro but, up to now, enjoying the experience. Also complements my iPhone 13 Mini. And I’ll now be able to experience AI when it finally reaches the UK. Thanks for the content.
60hz in 2024 is genuinely a joke, apple really need to get rid of the notion that 120hz is a "Pro" feature, it just isn't it's the standard now. Even £300 android phones have 120hz. It completely takes away front the experience. Plus Having the A17 Pro and 60hz screen is like having a car with 800hp, but you've got really skinny cheap eco tyres. You've got all this power, but yet can't really see it/use it, it'll feel no faster than an older iPhone or iPad as you're limited to what you can see to 60hz/60fps. Glad a lot of reviewers are starting to call out Apple for still using 60hz, I mean we have monitors now that can get up to 500hz it's not 2017 anymore apple.
Hi, GREAT video with really informative facts, I’m planning to sell my iPad Pro and after watching your vid seriously considering going for the iPad mini 7. My question will my 🍏🍏 keyboard work comfortably on the mini ? Thank you again.
I found your info about the mini 7 very helpful and like everything you covered which also helped since i just bought the mini 5 for $300. This is my first mini.
its the same screen as the iPad Air M2 is it not? Only the iPad pro's have the OLED, so all the other iPad's have that same dated screen? I am trying to decide if I want an iPad Air M2 or Mini 7. Do I have that correct? The screen is exactly the same? I don't care about the chip as for my use case it won't matter. if I needed more then I would go Pro, which I don't. Also. if they are the same do the iPad Air and 10th gen also suffer from the jelly scrolling? I would prefer the smaller form factor, but if the mini 7 screen is just bottom barrel of the lineup I will pass.
ProMotion + FaceiD would’ve been my reason to ditch my M1 iPad Pro. I had the iPad mini 1st gen back in 2012 and loved the form factor. Tried out the 6th gen iPad mini in 2022,but after being spoiled with 120hz on my pro iPhone and pro iPad, it was hard to “downgrade”
60hz is a deal breaker for an iPad that's gonna be used for gaming. They could have atleast put 90hz on this mini. That's sad. Better get the Ipad Air M2 2024. I have the mini 6 and with minimal upgrade, I don't think it's worth it given that huge price.
I have the mini 6 and earlier this year I was toying with the idea of getting the 11” air, but wanted to wait and see what they did with the mini 7 first. I just ordered the 11” after seeing the “minor” update to the mini with the 7
I tried today ipad mini in the store, is it my impression or the scroll is snap? it's not a matter of 60hz, the ipad air also has 60hz but not snappy in the scroll like the mini
Its a garbage update. Most people's iPhones are now at 120hz, jumping back down to a panel from like 2014 with 500 nits brightness is hilarious.. Justifying $500 on this thing is even more hilarious. But its people like you that keep Apple a multi trillion dollar company, so thank you!
@@MaxCaud Yes an iPad that you can get on sale regularly for 399 and comparing a high-end phone which goes for $1000-$1500 with that 120 Hz display, Yeah there’s gonna be some compromises here. This isn’t rocket science. You don’t go buy a Toyota Corolla and complain it doesn’t have the features of a Mercedes
@@pluggedev8464 I was a little harsh. But I guess what Im saying is I want a compact car with top of the line features. Not gimped... At least the display...
The iPad 6 is a workhorse and durable as hell. I have a thin rubber case and glass protector and I’ve dropped this thing more than enough times. It lasted and keeps going. I’ve replaced my iphone and traveling laptop. Compared to other tablets it’s still miles ahead of the competition. I don’t need to upgrade, but if you’re looking into getting the 7, BUY IT! But if you can get a deal on the 6 you’re really not going to miss that much. You can video edit with this thing by the way. It’s that powerful.
Decide between the Mini and M4 Pro ?! That's not quite the same usage, and definitely not the same price point. If you hesitate between the 2, honestly go with the Mini, because it means you have no use for a M4 powerhouse.
I think you’ve misunderstood the market for the mini and why it makes sense. It’s not intended for anyone who makes Apple review videos or who watches them. I think that market is comprised significantly of corporate customers for employees who use them for data entry and people who are looking for a cheap and easy media consumption device. The latter group is comprised of people like my family member who has been using her mini 5 for the last 4 years to fall asleep with Netflix or a book. For her, who also has an M2 MacBook Air and an iPhone Pro 15, she needs nothing more than what the Mini 7 gives her. It’s already overkill (although she loves how much faster is than her Mini 5).
I am sure Apple has done their market research, the demand for a $800-$900 iPad mini (with 120hz oled and all the good stuff) would have been too low at this point. The average consumers are not the ones we see voicing out their displeasure on TH-cam.
Agreed at 800 you might as well go buy the better iPad models no? Unless you really need the smaller size. Maybe they could make a mini pro, but idk how many ppl would buy that, so they might waste raw materials but im not knowledgeable about Apple 😅
I’m a Samsung guy, but have the Mini 7 because I like the form factor and Samsung doesn’t make an equivalent. For anything serious, I use the Samsung Tab S9. Personally, find all iPads limited and hindered by the operating system.
Samsung used to have the Galaxy Tab A8 in 8.9" screen size (I have one), but it's useless other than watching videos and web browsing. There are no competitors for the iPad Mini.
iPad mini 7 won't charge my third-party pencil. My mini 6 does, so I know it's not the pencil. My 7 will pair with it. It allows me to write. It shows battery level. It won't charge it, unless I plug in a USB-C to USB-C. Took it to the Genius bar and they shrugged. I'm so glad I upgraded.
I'm keeping my Mini 6. Nothing worth upgrading to after 3 years. Can't believe the screen wasn't even tweaked to be brighter, never mind an increase in refresh rate.
Thanks for another great review. I won't be upgrading until the battery fails on my Mini 6, which I still use daily. Not that I don't want to, mind you. 🙂
the bezels are huge compared to how tiny the device is. i’m using a 2022 iPad which it’s amazing for my use. i sold the first 12,9” iPad Pro with FaceID because it was just too big and heavy for me.
i'm happy they kept touch ID. they could've made it slightly thicker (for a bigger battery), m2 chip, brighter display (lcd or oled), compatible with stage manager. highly doubt that it would've stayed at 500$ then, though.
Sadly, not worth the upgrade this time. Would have loved to see an M series in this and a 120hz display. Sadly, it’s a minor update to the mini 6, and not worth the $
It’s clear they wanted to upgrade this without making it a “high end” tablet. An OLED screen at 120hz sounds nice, but would you have bought that if they charged $700? You know they aren’t going to add features like that for free. Also, I really like the physical design, and I don’t feel like that needs a big update.
I have a 6th gen mini and I’m going to trade it for an 11” Air. I thought I would use it more for social media, but Insta and YT shorts require a phone for the fully featured editor. I decided to use it for video editing, but it’s too small for that, the ui is too cramped. It’s great for portable content consumption, but my Pro Max phone is as well. It just doesn’t fit my use case right now, which is a shame since it is still a good iPad.
Great video! Which desk shelf do you have there? With the iPad holder? It's not the one listed in the comments. I have the iPad Mini 6 and I'm still on the fence about whether or not to upgrade. On the one hand, I want the Apple Intelligence... on the other, is that enough of a reason? I love the form factor. I have a 12" Pro that I use on the go, but at desks (cafe's, libraries, etc.) or tables. I love the mini because I can throw it in my sling bag or hoodie pocket to go on the run. I can use it to read in between appointments or in the stands at my nephew's games while waiting from one game to the next.
The iPad case is just a cheap one off amazon, JETech I believe, wouldn't recommend it tbh lol. As far as the desk shelf, I'm not entire sure what you mean. If you're talking about the actual shelf at my desk that my studio monitor sits on, that's should be linked in the description under my gear.
@@KyleErickson Yeah, I meant the desk shelf that your MSI monitor is sitting on, and there is a mount of some sort that you have the iPad mini sitting in. 7:58 in your video. I looked at what you had listed as desk shelves in your gear, but I didn't think it matched up. I just like how clean it is, and that the iPad mini is sitting safely on that mount right there.
This is what happens when there’s no other competition. iPad is still ahead of its competitors and sells well, that’s why Apple has slowed down their innovations. It’s why base model MacBooks have sat at 8GB RAM for over 10 years. I know it’s only been 3 years since iPad mini 6, but they could have done a Mini pro model or something!
The iPad Mini is not for everybody. It's a utilitarian device for people on the go who prize simplicity and a smaller form factor. Putting iPad Pro features on the Mini is silly and not necessary. To the people that are bitching and moaning about the Mini, you are making the point that the Mini is not for you. Get the iPad model that betters aligns with your use case.
I love how billy has decided for all of us what features we are allowed to want. There shouldn't be ANY displays at 60hz on new models heading into 2025. That you're stanning for anything else indicates you're an apple fan boy who would buy a box of crap if they slapped an apple logo on called it an iTurd.
I think it was a fair but lazy update. I think they could've add like 0.3 inches with the same form factor by reducing the edges. Guess they didn't want to modify anything about their production.
Waited so long for a proper upgrade from the mini 6 only to get a new chip just says how Apple is in the current era. Utterly disappointing yesterday tech, tomorrow price...
for my use case of reading pdfs, gaming like Marvel Snap and Ragnarok and light video editing on Capcut, along with web surfing of course, which memory should I get? im torn between 256 and 512
Been watching a bunch of ipad mini 7 review because I was really keen on upgrading from mini 6 after 3 years. But nah... none of these changes makes any difference to me, and 6 already has usb-c. Give me thinner bezel, better screen, higher nits instead. Honestly, 64gb works for me too since everything goes to cloud. So yeah just wanna rant that waited 3 years for this is really disappointing 😩
I would go at least with the Ipad Air for note taking, the laminated screen + better pencil support. But for gaming the mini is the real deal, not only is compact enough to hold for very long hours, but also you can attach controller accessories easily on it. I dunno tough choice you need to make here, try to find something else you will do a lot apart of note taking and gaming, like watching media?
TBH, now that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9" display vs the iPad mini 7.69" display, I might consider the iPhone 16 Pro Max a more useable device overall (even for the extra $)
iPad mini user here. Its size, weight and portability are key features for me; I haven’t even considered buying a full size iPad.
I have had a Mini 6 64gb for 2+ years. Edit RAW files daily from drone, Olympus camera and Insta 360.. no issues.. also edit 4k drone and Insta videos using Lumafusion no issues.. screen is fine. I travel full time so this suits my use case... A perfect companion..🙏
thank you for this comment, I am about to buy the mini 7 and I'm going to be doing the same thing you have described, I'm glad someone that uses it regularly for heavy files editing and works just fine. Thanks!
I had a mini 6 but sold it when I got my Air. The Air is too big and heavy and I missed my mini dearly so I ended up ordering the mini 7 today.
Am carrying IPad Mini 6 for last 3 years and been great experience. Was looking to upgrade for
New processor, new display, Face ID. But thank you Apple you did
Not provide all sort after goodies and best part you did
Not change the form factor. Now am good with iPad mini 6. Will go long with this.
I’m a nighttime security guard so this is right up my alley for those long ass 12 hour shifts watching air move.
I woke up and saw this first thing and thought it said "nightmare security guard" 😂. Hope you enjoy the mini if you pick one up!
I love my mini for media consumption and gaming… love to bring it when travelling!
I traded in my iPad Pro M1 for the new mini. Perfect companion to my MacBook Air M3, where I was using it a lot more than my iPad Pro as, outside of media consumption, anything I wanted to do that was more process intensive my air was easier to use and lighter when I used the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro.
The limitations of the mini make it refreshing to use, it’s a great tablet experience, and really fits inbetween using my iPhone or my MacBook. And it’s so portable I bring it with me all the time
What iPhone are you using by curiosity
The size is the core and the end all be all of buying an iPad mini. Nothing else matters. I travel a lot and I use it to watch Netflix during flights. I also use it as my device to entertain myself when nature calls 😅. The size is so perfect.
There’s a niche for these and it ain’t watching video between the toilet and your TV. These are for doctors and mainly PILOTS as an EFB or electronic flight back which they’re excellent for. I upgraded because of the standard larger storage, the faster chip, the faster WiFi and the extra ram. These have come in handy for running Foreflight as I now have the room to download all of my charts maps and documents for training with room to spare for fun stuff. I also went cellular this time for airports that don’t have WiFi and I’m not throttled by my phones hotspot.
Your videos are wildly underrated. As beautiful as they are informative. Amazing work Kyle!
the mini 6 is my go to on-the-go iPad. It fits perfectly in my cargo pants pockets and has been great for journaling, note taking, doing schoolwork, and reading. It's been great for days where I don't need my Pro or when I'm just doing casual activities outside.
mini 6 owner that's waiting for OLED. If Apple had just upgraded the screen, this would've been an instant buy.
and it would abeen alot more than £500
I bought it and took it back. It’s slow and lags a lot
@@lazluz did it. Mine does not lag at all. its way faster than my samsung tablet.
People like you are not serious.
@@lazluzbro is just lying 😭
(referring to the large amount of comments specifically complaining about 60hz) I've got to be honest, the want for a high refresh rate display on an ipad is nonsense in my opinion. If any change should be made to the dispaly, it should be focused on color, dynamic range, and bezel size.
Besides action animations, what are you doing that ever even renders at 120 frames? I get it for high action video games, but the ipad is really a bad device for that anyways. Until high frame rate video streaming is a thing, I see absolutely no reason to have high refersh rate especially on such a small display.
The first thing I do on mobile devices I buy is disable high refresh rate mode. To me, having an ever so slightly better battery life is better then not seeing any choppynees in animations when I look close.
I’m not into phones so the iPad mini is a perfect device for me . I use it on the go and at work . The portability makes it a perfect device for me and it’s great to read on it . I watch sports on the iPad mini when I have some downtime at work . The screen can be a little small for that so I also bring my 11 inch iPad Air with me and use that if I can but I certainly wouldn’t want to carry around an 11 inch tablet all the time at work so having an iPad mini is a necessity.
Your question of whether the update to the Mini 7 is enough, only makes me feel better about the purchase of my Mini 6 two years ago. I do use it almost entirely for media consumption, email, reading and it's a great travel companion. At the time I had been considering replacing my then "vintage" iPad Air 2 with a Pro. I'm particularly pleased with having gone down in size to the Mini. I think you nailed it with your take in this review. ✊
I have a 5th gen mini, and have been waiting for a long time for this update, and I must say, initially I felt a bit under-impressed. I just bought an 11" M4 Pro, which I adore, with the Apple pencil pro. But I do think the real value in this mini update is in the price being unchanged for all of the spec improvements. It's kind of the opposite of inflation, so, so welcome.
In terms of usage, I have a wifi+cellular mini version and use it for field research--I am out in nature a lot, and can carry the mini along in a front-facing belt-bag and use it with maps apps to gps while trail-walking and to i.d. plants and birds with a.i. apps--of course you could do all of this with a phone, but I find the size factor makes the experience *way* better with the mini. The mini is also super-useful for sharing media with friends on the go, such as photos and videos, where the screen is large enough to show impressive detail in both. Again, my focus is usually on nature, birds, animals, and landscape. The mini is also handy for reading and marking up pdfs as part of my endless nature-learning efforts, light enough to be no burden to hold up a long time while lying on the couch (admittedly a lazy way to read).
Thank you for the review.
nature rules!
I agree with everything you said I have no complaints I’m upgrading from the 5 my new iPad mini should be here today
Which would you recommend for people wanting to “write” on the go (typing with a keyboard) and watching videos when out of the house? I’m torn between the mini and 11 pro.
@@mr_red13 if you’re writing either will work the mini has a smaller form factor so it’s a lot easier to just toss in a small bag and go the Logitech keys to go that just came out is really really good I’ve been using it and it’s like the perfect portable travel keyboard but if you care about like screen quality and if you’re gonna be in a lot of sun and need to see like the details of like whatever you’re looking at on your iPad then I would definitely have to upgrade to like the pro the mini just doesn’t do as well out in the daylight but it’s not a huge issue especially if you’re just riding and can find some shade or doing just text stuff
I love the mini.the best true tablet on the market.
Apple is the king of iterative improvements
still is the best small tablet in the market and my favorite size for comfortable use
Just bought a mini 7 and im loving it, it's not mindblowing but more portable , fits into my cargo pocket, and price was affordable with the bf sale going on. A good companion with a iPhone!
Costco has it for $449.99 on time of this comment!
I had the mini. 6 got the mini7 and I am not happy my battery still sucks and it still gets hot … I am using it 5 hours top goes from 100 percent down to 50 percent or less watching TH-cam and little games .. I just can’t see 8 hours of battery life on the mini iPads.. maybe I got a lemon ..
I pulled the trigger immediately. I bought the 256K which cost $600 and got a $230 trade-in for my 64K iPad Mini 6 for an out of pocket $370. For me, that’s a bargain. I get a faster processor, four times the memory, a faster USB , pencil Pro support and a brand new device.
PS - Arrived Wed AM. To say I’m pleased is understatement. Excellent decision!,
The iPad Mini 6/7 has no real competition in the US. I enjoy mine and sure I would love pro motion and higher brightness levels but for what it does especially the cellular version it’s a rock solid on the go device.
The iPad Mini 7 not worth the upgrade unless your Mini 6 is broken.
The Mini 7 offers notable internal upgrades, especially in processing power and connectivity, but falls short in display technology compared to other iPad models.
The key takeaways are:
Performance boost: The A15 Bionic chip provides a significant performance improvement over its predecessor. However, it's still less powerful than the iPad Air and Pro models.
Improved Connectivity: The upgraded USB-C port offers faster data transfer and support for 4K external displays at 60Hz. Wireless connectivity is also enhanced with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Dated Display: The display remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, with a 60Hz refresh rate that may feel outdated compared to the smoother ProMotion displays in other iPads.
Good for Casual Use: The Mini 7 is best suited for media consumption, light tasks, and note-taking, particularly due to its portable size.
Price Considerations: At $499, the Mini 7 is positioned between the less capable iPad 10 and the more powerful iPad Air. The choice depends on your priorities in features, performance, and price.
I'll say it again, the mini is Apple's only "true" iPad in the lineup. The 10th gen iPad just wants to be the air, the air just wants to be the pro, the pro just wants to be a Macbook. The mini is the mini, it knows what it wants to be and it stays true to itself. The price is too gat damn high though.
@@shaneomac8289 I agree the Pros are nice but insanely overpowered for what the OS can even do. I do wish Apple put a better display in the mini though. Even if it was still LCD the 500 nit brightness isn’t that great at times.
The 60hz screen, large bezels, and the fact that I need to buy the new pencil to use it are the main things that are holding me back from getting this
It should have been priced around US 299
Picked up mine today, got £190 off handing in my mini 6, so although not a great update I thought it was worth it for £310.
i dont get it why people complaining cos its not oled? its a £500 device. The Ipad Air is also a Liquid Retina display like the mini 7 and thats £100 more than the mini so why are people complaining over the mini does not have a oled display??
I don't think it's needs to be OLED, but the refresh rate is what many folks don't like. I think that's in large part because it's been proven that it doesn't cost a ton these days for manufacturers to increase that spec, as there are many sub-$500 devices with 120Hz+.
@@KyleErickson Some stil wwas expecting a oled screen. Shame it didnt have a 90hz refresh rate.
The problem is people want a thousand dollars worth of upgrades in the mini,But they still want to pay 499.00……..It’s un realistic and stupid😑The iPad mini is great for what it is……If you’re expecting iPad Pro features,Move on cause this isn’t the iPad you’re looking for. You want pro features you pay the pro prices
I’ve been tossing the idea around of getting a mini for gaming. Seems like the perfect screen size while maintaining portability and also slots into the Razer Kishi ultra.
I currently have an M1 iPad Pro and an iPad Mini 6. Thinking about selling both and just go with the iPad Mini 7. Am I nuts?
I find the Mini much much more convenient
You are not. I just did the same thing with my iPad Pro 4th gen. Sold it and I’m about to buy the mini 7 ❤
@ i love you
That’s the best, most balanced review of the Mini 7 I have seen.
Outstanding work, Kyle.
It's a missed opportunity by Apple. They could've easily given a proper 120hz display + 256 gigs to begin with. Its the end of 2024. And you can't be making such powerhouses with compromises. For the asking price. They could've delivered a smash hit. But no. They are apple. Cash grabbers off late. I was so so looking forward to pick it up. But darn. Its dissapointing. Will stick on with my Ipad 9th gen. It just gets the things done for me
No, they couldn't. Mini is ALWAYS stuck with whatever components are cheaper or at stock. And 120hz would have killed the battery. Nobody needs 800bucks mini
Consumers don’t comprehend business; it’s simply impossible to have 120Hz or OLED in 2024 without a significant price increase to $700-800. For the record, Apple doesn’t manufacture 120Hz IPS panels and won’t, as they’re transitioning to OLED over the next few years. Additionally, Apple refuses to use single-panel OLED due to failed QC and longevity tests, which explains why their initial OLED tablet was a dual-panel Tandem. Currently, the device requires the M4 chip because it has a display processor to handle the dual panels. It’s highly unlikely that a $500 device could ever have an M4!
Tim can't Cook
@@DanielKirillov-iv3ww a 120hz screen + 256 gigs to begin with should be at 499$ only. And no increase in price.
@@andyH_England who wants an m4 for 499$. With what's on market for such low price than the ipad mini. We as consumers need to get what we deserve for theirbasking price. A beautiful LTPO display + 256 gigs.
Its quite a good upgrade form the Mini 5. For a perspective (which the young don't yet have...) look back 20 years if you actually can and think what a prize the tech from even the iPad mini would be...
Great review, currently deciding between mini 7 and 11 air M2 🤔
The iPad Mini 7 is the best entry level product that Apple has announced in the last few years. My reason for saying this is because it has a usable 128 GB of flash memory. Most £150 entry level Android phones come with 128 Gb of flash memory but Apples entry level £429 iPhone SE 5G only comes with 64 Gb of flash memory with very expensive flash memory upgrades.
I am a PC gamer and I paid £200 for a 2 Tb SSD eighteen months ago and paid £200 for a 4 Tb faster SSD recently. Moore's law is therefore still a real thing and Apple should similarly be doubling the flash memory in entry level Macs and iPhones every 18 months with no increase in cost.
I’ve upgraded from the 2019 Gen 5, so it’s a worthwhile purchase for me. Debating whether to get the Pencil Pro but, up to now, enjoying the experience. Also complements my iPhone 13 Mini. And I’ll now be able to experience AI when it finally reaches the UK.
Thanks for the content.
60hz in 2024 is genuinely a joke, apple really need to get rid of the notion that 120hz is a "Pro" feature, it just isn't it's the standard now. Even £300 android phones have 120hz. It completely takes away front the experience. Plus Having the A17 Pro and 60hz screen is like having a car with 800hp, but you've got really skinny cheap eco tyres. You've got all this power, but yet can't really see it/use it, it'll feel no faster than an older iPhone or iPad as you're limited to what you can see to 60hz/60fps. Glad a lot of reviewers are starting to call out Apple for still using 60hz, I mean we have monitors now that can get up to 500hz it's not 2017 anymore apple.
Hi,
GREAT video with really informative facts, I’m planning to sell my iPad Pro and after watching your vid seriously considering going for the iPad mini 7.
My question will my 🍏🍏 keyboard work comfortably on the mini ?
Thank you again.
I found your info about the mini 7 very helpful and like everything you covered which also helped since i just bought the mini 5 for $300. This is my first mini.
its the same screen as the iPad Air M2 is it not? Only the iPad pro's have the OLED, so all the other iPad's have that same dated screen? I am trying to decide if I want an iPad Air M2 or Mini 7. Do I have that correct? The screen is exactly the same? I don't care about the chip as for my use case it won't matter. if I needed more then I would go Pro, which I don't. Also. if they are the same do the iPad Air and 10th gen also suffer from the jelly scrolling? I would prefer the smaller form factor, but if the mini 7 screen is just bottom barrel of the lineup I will pass.
ProMotion + FaceiD would’ve been my reason to ditch my M1 iPad Pro.
I had the iPad mini 1st gen back in 2012 and loved the form factor. Tried out the 6th gen iPad mini in 2022,but after being spoiled with 120hz on my pro iPhone and pro iPad, it was hard to “downgrade”
iPad mini 4 was the latest for 5 years, and therefore it was the most valuable iPad mini ever.
i can't believe you were overlooked for the nobel prize.
60hz is a deal breaker for an iPad that's gonna be used for gaming. They could have atleast put 90hz on this mini. That's sad. Better get the Ipad Air M2 2024. I have the mini 6 and with minimal upgrade, I don't think it's worth it given that huge price.
Go and cry about it
Most mobile games do not run above 60fps.
I can tell you right now 60HZ is perfectly fine. And if you get an Air that's a MUCH bigger tablet and is uncomfortable to hold for gaming.
The iPad Air is still 60Hz
I have the mini 6 and earlier this year I was toying with the idea of getting the 11” air, but wanted to wait and see what they did with the mini 7 first. I just ordered the 11” after seeing the “minor” update to the mini with the 7
I tried today ipad mini in the store, is it my impression or the scroll is snap? it's not a matter of 60hz, the ipad air also has 60hz but not snappy in the scroll like the mini
Traded my iPad mini 6 for the 7 from Best Buy they gave me 350 trade in couldn’t be happier 😁
@@raylegend808 Damn it! The Apple Store robbed me! Only got $250 for my mint mini 6🤬
The design still looks ok to me, and was happy to see the storage and ram both double, people freaking out about 120 display is hilarious
Its a garbage update. Most people's iPhones are now at 120hz, jumping back down to a panel from like 2014 with 500 nits brightness is hilarious.. Justifying $500 on this thing is even more hilarious. But its people like you that keep Apple a multi trillion dollar company, so thank you!
@@MaxCaud Yes an iPad that you can get on sale regularly for 399 and comparing a high-end phone which goes for $1000-$1500 with that 120 Hz display, Yeah there’s gonna be some compromises here. This isn’t rocket science. You don’t go buy a Toyota Corolla and complain it doesn’t have the features of a Mercedes
@@MaxCaudyou haven’t got a clue about tech 🙄
@@pluggedev8464 I was a little harsh. But I guess what Im saying is I want a compact car with top of the line features. Not gimped... At least the display...
The iPad 6 is a workhorse and durable as hell. I have a thin rubber case and glass protector and I’ve dropped this thing more than enough times. It lasted and keeps going. I’ve replaced my iphone and traveling laptop. Compared to other tablets it’s still miles ahead of the competition. I don’t need to upgrade, but if you’re looking into getting the 7, BUY IT! But if you can get a deal on the 6 you’re really not going to miss that much. You can video edit with this thing by the way. It’s that powerful.
Excited to upgrade my mini 5! Now I just need to decided between the mini and the m4 Pro
Decide between the Mini and M4 Pro ?! That's not quite the same usage, and definitely not the same price point.
If you hesitate between the 2, honestly go with the Mini, because it means you have no use for a M4 powerhouse.
If you have a Mini 6, don't upgrade. If you don't own any iPad, this is a great affordable introduction to one!
I think you’ve misunderstood the market for the mini and why it makes sense. It’s not intended for anyone who makes Apple review videos or who watches them.
I think that market is comprised significantly of corporate customers for employees who use them for data entry and people who are looking for a cheap and easy media consumption device. The latter group is comprised of people like my family member who has been using her mini 5 for the last 4 years to fall asleep with Netflix or a book. For her, who also has an M2 MacBook Air and an iPhone Pro 15, she needs nothing more than what the Mini 7 gives her. It’s already overkill (although she loves how much faster is than her Mini 5).
I am sure Apple has done their market research, the demand for a $800-$900 iPad mini (with 120hz oled and all the good stuff) would have been too low at this point. The average consumers are not the ones we see voicing out their displeasure on TH-cam.
Agreed at 800 you might as well go buy the better iPad models no? Unless you really need the smaller size. Maybe they could make a mini pro, but idk how many ppl would buy that, so they might waste raw materials but im not knowledgeable about Apple 😅
And average consumers are dying to get a below average 8 inch tablet??
I’m a Samsung guy, but have the Mini 7 because I like the form factor and Samsung doesn’t make an equivalent. For anything serious, I use the Samsung Tab S9. Personally, find all iPads limited and hindered by the operating system.
Lol yeah right. There is no “serious” apps for Android tablets. 😂
Samsung used to have the Galaxy Tab A8 in 8.9" screen size (I have one), but it's useless other than watching videos and web browsing.
There are no competitors for the iPad Mini.
What a review! Thank you so much!
iPad mini 7 won't charge my third-party pencil. My mini 6 does, so I know it's not the pencil. My 7 will pair with it. It allows me to write. It shows battery level. It won't charge it, unless I plug in a USB-C to USB-C. Took it to the Genius bar and they shrugged. I'm so glad I upgraded.
Ugh I just wanted a higher brightness. That’s what I get sick of the most, not being able to use it properly outside or even slight bright lighting
I'm keeping my Mini 6. Nothing worth upgrading to after 3 years. Can't believe the screen wasn't even tweaked to be brighter, never mind an increase in refresh rate.
Thanks for another great review. I won't be upgrading until the battery fails on my Mini 6, which I still use daily. Not that I don't want to, mind you. 🙂
I exactly need thicker bezels for travel and navigation. This suits me.
the bezels are huge compared to how tiny the device is. i’m using a 2022 iPad which it’s amazing for my use. i sold the first 12,9” iPad Pro with FaceID because it was just too big and heavy for me.
Another great video. Nice work as always.
Best closer on the market, period. Team sharp cheddar. You only know if you watch until the end of the video.
i'm happy they kept touch ID.
they could've made it slightly thicker (for a bigger battery), m2 chip, brighter display (lcd or oled), compatible with stage manager. highly doubt that it would've stayed at 500$ then, though.
Sadly, not worth the upgrade this time. Would have loved to see an M series in this and a 120hz display. Sadly, it’s a minor update to the mini 6, and not worth the $
M series chip and 120hz would have killed the battery. You wouldn't want to use such ipad, not to mention, it would have been WAY more expensive
That would have brought the iPad over £1,000 at which point no one would buy.
Those people who really need these features will buy the Pro.
It’s clear they wanted to upgrade this without making it a “high end” tablet.
An OLED screen at 120hz sounds nice, but would you have bought that if they charged $700? You know they aren’t going to add features like that for free.
Also, I really like the physical design, and I don’t feel like that needs a big update.
Brilliantly summarized, 😊
I have a 6th gen mini and I’m going to trade it for an 11” Air. I thought I would use it more for social media, but Insta and YT shorts require a phone for the fully featured editor. I decided to use it for video editing, but it’s too small for that, the ui is too cramped. It’s great for portable content consumption, but my Pro Max phone is as well. It just doesn’t fit my use case right now, which is a shame since it is still a good iPad.
Loving the content as usual ❤
I’d be using it for in the go photo editing
Just have realistic expectations of the Mini and you will be fine. Don't expect it to be a powerhouse in anything, that's all.
Great video! Which desk shelf do you have there? With the iPad holder? It's not the one listed in the comments. I have the iPad Mini 6 and I'm still on the fence about whether or not to upgrade. On the one hand, I want the Apple Intelligence... on the other, is that enough of a reason? I love the form factor. I have a 12" Pro that I use on the go, but at desks (cafe's, libraries, etc.) or tables. I love the mini because I can throw it in my sling bag or hoodie pocket to go on the run. I can use it to read in between appointments or in the stands at my nephew's games while waiting from one game to the next.
The iPad case is just a cheap one off amazon, JETech I believe, wouldn't recommend it tbh lol. As far as the desk shelf, I'm not entire sure what you mean. If you're talking about the actual shelf at my desk that my studio monitor sits on, that's should be linked in the description under my gear.
@@KyleErickson Yeah, I meant the desk shelf that your MSI monitor is sitting on, and there is a mount of some sort that you have the iPad mini sitting in. 7:58 in your video. I looked at what you had listed as desk shelves in your gear, but I didn't think it matched up. I just like how clean it is, and that the iPad mini is sitting safely on that mount right there.
iPad mini was my first tablet, but I'm on Android now. I love it.
Thank you for always great review !!
This is what happens when there’s no other competition. iPad is still ahead of its competitors and sells well, that’s why Apple has slowed down their innovations. It’s why base model MacBooks have sat at 8GB RAM for over 10 years. I know it’s only been 3 years since iPad mini 6, but they could have done a Mini pro model or something!
The iPad Mini is not for everybody. It's a utilitarian device for people on the go who prize simplicity and a smaller form factor. Putting iPad Pro features on the Mini is silly and not necessary. To the people that are bitching and moaning about the Mini, you are making the point that the Mini is not for you. Get the iPad model that betters aligns with your use case.
why apple at all?
I love how billy has decided for all of us what features we are allowed to want. There shouldn't be ANY displays at 60hz on new models heading into 2025. That you're stanning for anything else indicates you're an apple fan boy who would buy a box of crap if they slapped an apple logo on called it an iTurd.
Exactly!!! 💯👍 It's meant to be more simple. All the moaners should just get the iPad Pros.
@@williamcaseywells604wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
@@williamcaseywells604did the Air get all those fancy features?
Is it worth to change my iPad Pro m2 for this one due to portability or m2 is way better
No way I would ever make that swap personally, unless you really really need the form factor it’s a big downgrade
I got it. I like it. Yes it could be better but I am enjoying it still
Can this be connected via hdmi and work as a 2nd screen or can be casted/projected to a smart tv?
I would’ve gotten this if they gave it the proper brightness & 120hz screen.
If it was oled 120 I woulda bought day one as an art tablet. Mini form factor is way better imo
I think it was a fair but lazy update. I think they could've add like 0.3 inches with the same form factor by reducing the edges. Guess they didn't want to modify anything about their production.
Waited so long for a proper upgrade from the mini 6 only to get a new chip just says how Apple is in the current era. Utterly disappointing yesterday tech, tomorrow price...
for my use case of reading pdfs, gaming like Marvel Snap and Ragnarok and light video editing on Capcut, along with web surfing of course, which memory should I get? im torn between 256 and 512
I want a mini but without 120hz it’s a no from me 😢
Been a fan of the mini since the first iPad mini. Can't wait to achieve my savings to buy the 7th gen heheh
Been watching a bunch of ipad mini 7 review because I was really keen on upgrading from mini 6 after 3 years. But nah... none of these changes makes any difference to me, and 6 already has usb-c.
Give me thinner bezel, better screen, higher nits instead. Honestly, 64gb works for me too since everything goes to cloud. So yeah just wanna rant that waited 3 years for this is really disappointing 😩
No stage manager for external display? Shame.
It's more realistic to won a lottery than an Having ang iPad mini with 120hz refresh rate
Link to the wallpaper?
so, ipad 10th gene or ipad mini 7, which one is more optimal for taking note and gaming?
I would go at least with the Ipad Air for note taking, the laminated screen + better pencil support. But for gaming the mini is the real deal, not only is compact enough to hold for very long hours, but also you can attach controller accessories easily on it. I dunno tough choice you need to make here, try to find something else you will do a lot apart of note taking and gaming, like watching media?
Apple device for 500$ and it's a tablet pretty good deal for me.
The lack of a display upgrade is frankly shameful… im ok with everything else but the lack of a 120hz oled is disgusting in 2024
I like your trucker hat
TBH, now that the iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 6.9" display vs the iPad mini 7.69" display, I might consider the iPhone 16 Pro Max a more useable device overall (even for the extra $)
Heads up! Costco has a $90 off discount. Online only
I was having confusion between air and mini
I bought them both lol
lol crisis avoided
Air or Mini?
It would have been an interesting machine if it hadn't had these 1sm frame around screen
what's the name of the app that you did the 3d modelling?
Shapr3D
Has anyone else noticed that apples 60 Hz is noticably worse than other non apple 60 Hz screens?