Apple’s iPads have always been a subject of debate. For creative professionals like designers and sketchers, it’s a dream device. But for the average user? The purpose feels a bit vague. After all, if you want to watch movies, play games, or scroll through social media, your smartphone or laptop already ticks those boxes. So where does the iPad fit in?
Apple’s new iPad Mini 7 attempts to answer this by shrinking the form factor. It’s small enough to not be a smartphone but remains bigger and more versatile. After using it for over a month, here’s what I think about it.
The iPad Mini 7 sticks to its predecessor’s design language—compact and lightweight. It has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, an LCD panel that’s bright enough at 500 nits for indoor use. Outdoors, it works fine in the shade, but the glossy screen might bother some, for those who prefer matte displays, a screen protector (costing around ₹500) solves the problem.
However, the bezels feel outdated in 2024. They not only look ancient but also rob the device of valuable screen real estate.
Another surprising omission? No haptic feedback. Apple’s iPhones boast industry-leading haptics, so typing on the iPad Mini feels oddly hollow. This is a feature Apple should seriously consider for future models.
The Mini 7 packs a punch with the A17 Bionic chip, the same as the iPhone 15 Pro but with one less GPU core. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (expandable via fast USB 3), performance is top-notch. Whether it’s gaming, creative workflows, or multitasking, the iPad Mini delivers. It breezes through tasks, and benchmarks reflect this superiority:
Thermals are well-managed too. Even after an hour-long gaming session, the device feels warm but never uncomfortably hot.
The iPad Mini is fully compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which works flawlessly. The hover function, minimal latency, and added haptics make it a fantastic tool for artists and note-takers. One feature I loved? The pencil creates a digital shadow on the screen that adjusts based on whether you’re using a pen or eraser. It’s these small touches that showcase Apple’s attention to detail.
While I’m not much of an artist myself, I can see this being a game-changer for creatives.
The compact size is what truly sets the iPad Mini apart. I’ve been carrying it daily alongside my laptop and smartphone. It doubles as a Kindle, and I’ve been enjoying reading Blindsight by Peter Watts—a hard sci-fi novel featuring vampires and genetically enhanced humans exploring alien territory. The portability makes it an excellent companion for both work and leisure.
Another unexpected use case? Recording benchmark numbers while testing laptops. Its small size makes it incredibly convenient for quick tasks like note-taking or organizing data.
For media consumption, the iPad Mini’s speakers deliver good sound quality, and the display—though not OLED—is color-accurate and bright enough for most scenarios. However, under direct sunlight, it struggles, limiting outdoor usability.
Connectivity is a highlight. With Wi-Fi 6E, USB 3.0 (10GB/s transfer speeds), and eSIM support, Apple has ensured the Mini 7 keeps up with modern demands. The faster USB 3.0 port is a blessing for those who rely on external SSDs for storage, making the base 128GB variant a practical choice.
Battery performance is solid. In my testing, the iPad Mini lasted:
This easily covers a full day of heavy usage, whether you’re working, gaming, or streaming content.
Gaming on the iPad Mini is a treat. I tested three popular games:
The A17 chip ensures excellent performance while keeping the device cool, making it a fantastic option for mobile gamers.
Apple has added functionality to extend the iPad Mini’s capabilities. By connecting a Thunderbolt cable, pairing a USB-C mouse and keyboard, and using the improved file management system, the iPad Mini can double as a basic computer. While there are limitations—like the inability to install third-party apps or full file system access—it’s a step in the right direction for those seeking versatility.
While the iPad Mini 7 has a lot going for it, it’s not without flaws:
The iPad Mini 7 is an impressive device that finds its sweet spot between a smartphone and a laptop. It’s portable, powerful, and versatile. Whether you’re using it for gaming, note-taking, or even as a secondary display, it excels. The new additions like faster USB 3, improved connectivity, and the A17 Bionic chip make it a jack of all trades.
However, its media experience is held back by the LCD screen, and the outdated design might be a dealbreaker for some. But if you can look past these drawbacks, the iPad Mini 7 is a multipurpose device that punches well above its weight.
So, should you buy it? If you want a portable powerhouse that can handle everything from gaming to productivity, the iPad Mini 7 is worth considering. And if you want me to test its limits by ditching my laptop for a month, let me know in the comments!
