iPad mini 6 (2021) vs iPad mini 7 (2024): what are the 7 differences?

Apple released the iPad mini 7 in 2024, but what exactly are the differences with the iPad mini 6 from 2021? We put them together for you!

iPad mini 6 vs iPad mini 7

Apple has released a new generation of the iPad mini in 2024! The iPad mini 7 was announced on Tuesday, October 15 and available in stores since October 23. Apple has made several changes to the small tablet that you do not immediately see. Are you planning to switch from the iPad mini 6 (2021) to the iPad mini 7 in 2024? We have listed the biggest differences for you.

1. Processor

The main difference between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad mini 7 is under the hood. While the 2021 iPad mini still has the A15 Bionic chip, the latest iPad mini in 2024 runs on the A17 Pro chip. That’s a big jump, because we see the same processor in the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. With this chip, the iPad mini 7 receives iPadOS updates for much longer than the iPad mini 6.

2. Apple Intelligence

The advantage of the new processor is that the iPad mini 7 has support for Apple Intelligence. The new AI functions will only be available in April with the 2024 iPad mini, but the iPad mini 6 will have to do without Apple Intelligence entirely. For now it is not a loss, but from next year the difference between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad mini 7 will be much greater. Apple Intelligence will then become available in the European Union.

Almost all apps will then be expanded with useful AI functions. This means you get a handy writing aid that summarizes, rewrites or changes the tone of your texts. You can also create your own emojis with Genmoji and create your own pictures with Image Playground. Your email is also automatically organized with Apple Intelligence. Do you want access to these features? Then you should choose the iPad mini 7 over the iPad mini 6.

3.Camera

Both the iPad mini 6 and the iPad mini 7 have a 12-megapixel camera. However, Apple has upgraded the iPad mini in 2024, because the small tablet has support for Smart HDR 4. As a result, the camera captures colors and contrast better. Scanning documents is also easier, because the iPad mini 7 automatically filters out shadows during the scan. That’s nice if you regularly digitize papers with the tablet.

4. Colors

Apple has hardly changed the design of the iPad mini 7 compared to the iPad mini 6. Yet we see a new version, because you can choose the color blue for the iPad mini from 2024. This replaces the pink variant from 2021. Furthermore, the colors are unchanged, the iPad mini is again available in the shades of starlight, purple and space gray. However, the colors this year seem less bright than on the previous generation of the iPad mini.

5. Apple Pencil

Do you regularly use the iPad mini to draw or take notes? Then you can use the Apple Pencil Pro with the iPad mini 7. The 2021 iPad mini has support for the Apple Pencil with USB-C port and the first and second generations of the Apple Pencil. The iPad mini 7 only works with the Apple Pencil Pro and the Apple Pencil with USB-C. So pay attention to that, because you may have to buy a new Apple Pencil with the iPad mini 7.

6. Storage space

Apple has added more storage options to the iPad mini in 2024. While the iPad mini 6 only allows you to choose 64 GB or 256 GB, the iPad mini 7 offers a choice of 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB. So you get 128 GB of storage space as standard, which is twice as much as with the iPad mini from 2021. The same applies to the RAM, with the iPad mini 7 you get 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB with its predecessor.

7. More differences

We also see small differences between the iPad mini 6 and the iPad mini 7. The small tablet received support for WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 in 2024, while the 2021 iPad mini still has WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. In practice, this means more stable internet and Bluetooth connections with the iPad mini 7. Transferring data is even twice as fast with the new iPad mini, at 10 Gbps. For the iPad mini 6 this is 5 Gbps. You do need the correct USB-C cable for this.

Want to buy an iPad mini 7?

The iPad mini will be available for the first time in 2024 in a blue version, but other than that it has mainly received changes under the hood. The device works with the Apple Pencil Pro and has 128 GB of storage space as standard. With the iPad mini 7 we see the A17 Pro chip, while the iPad mini 6 still has to make do with the A15 Bionic chip. The biggest advantage of this processor is the support for Apple Intelligence, but this technology is not yet available in the European Union.

Do you have a 2021 iPad mini? Then you currently have little reason to switch to the iPad mini of 2024. The most important functions of the iPad mini 7 are not yet available, so the iPad mini 6 remains an excellent model for the time being. The difference will only become noticeable from April, when the latest iPad mini will have many more new functions. Do you want to be well prepared for the arrival of Apple Intelligence? Or do you have an iPad mini 5 or older? Then view the lowest prices of the iPad mini 7 here: