If you’ve been scouring the web trying to figure out what's the newest iPad mini, you’ve probably noticed something a bit strange. It's January 2026, and the "new" one is actually the iPad mini 7, which dropped back in late 2024. Most Apple gear gets a refresh every year or so, but the mini is the stubborn middle child of the lineup. It does its own thing on its own schedule.
Honestly, the iPad mini 7—officially called the iPad mini (A17 Pro)—is a fascinating little beast. It didn’t get a flashy redesign. If you put it next to the old iPad mini 6 from 2021, you literally wouldn't be able to tell them apart unless you picked the new Blue or Purple colors. But under the hood? That’s where things get spicy.
Apple basically took the brains of an iPhone 15 Pro and shoved them into this 8.3-inch frame.
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The result is a tablet that's small enough to fit in a jacket pocket but powerful enough to run some pretty heavy-duty AI and "console-grade" games. It’s the quintessential "niche" device. You either get why someone would want a powerhouse tablet the size of a paperback book, or you don't.
What exactly makes the iPad mini 7 different?
People kept waiting for an OLED screen or a 120Hz ProMotion display. Spoilers: we didn't get either. It’s still a 60Hz Liquid Retina LCD. While that sounds like a letdown, Apple did fix the "jelly scrolling" issue that plagued the previous version. It’s much smoother now, even if it’s not Pro-level smooth.
The real star is the A17 Pro chip. This wasn't just a minor speed bump. It brought 8GB of RAM to the table, which is the "magic number" for Apple Intelligence. If you're into the idea of Siri actually understanding what you're talking about or using the "Clean Up" tool in Photos to delete that random tourist from your vacation shot, this is the minimum entry point for the mini series.
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Then there's the storage. Apple finally killed the 64GB base model. Thank goodness. The newest iPad mini starts at 128GB for the same $499 price tag. You can even go up to 512GB now, which is perfect if you’re like me and download way too many Netflix shows for flights.
What's the newest iPad mini like in 2026?
It’s funny how technology ages. Even though we’re well into 2026, the iPad mini 7 still feels snappy. A big part of that is iPadOS 19, which leaned hard into the Apple Intelligence features. Because this model has the A17 Pro and 8GB of RAM, it handles the newer "Visual Intelligence" features surprisingly well.
Connectivity and the Pencil Pro
One thing that catches people off guard is the Apple Pencil situation. The newest iPad mini supports the Apple Pencil Pro. It’s got that squeeze gesture and haptic feedback. But here’s the kicker: it doesn't work with the old 2nd-gen Pencil. If you’re upgrading from an older mini, you’re basically forced to buy a new stylus. Kinda annoying, but the hover feature and the "find my" support on the Pro pencil are legit helpful.
For the nerds out there, the USB-C port is also twice as fast as the old one. It hits 10Gbps. If you’re a photographer or someone who moves big files around, you’ll actually notice the difference. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which is great if you have a router that can actually handle it.
Should you wait for the iPad mini 8?
This is the question everyone asks. Look, the rumors are swirling that an iPad mini 8 might show up in late 2026. The big rumor is an OLED screen. Samsung Display is reportedly working on 8.4-inch OLED panels specifically for this.
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But here’s the reality: Apple's "mini" updates are notoriously unpredictable. We waited three years between the 6 and the 7. If you need a small tablet today, waiting for a "maybe" in nine or ten months is a recipe for frustration.
The Trade-off: Portability vs. Power
- Size: 8.3 inches is the sweet spot for reading. It’s basically a high-end Kindle that can also edit 4K video.
- Weight: At about 0.65 pounds, you can hold it with one hand for an hour without your wrist screaming at you.
- Performance: It’s faster than most laptops from five years ago. Seriously.
If you're coming from an iPad mini 6, the upgrade is mostly about the RAM and AI. If you don't care about AI, your mini 6 is probably still doing just fine. But if you’re on a mini 5 or older? The jump is massive. You’re going from a prehistoric design with a Home button to the modern, all-screen look.
Actionable Steps for Buyers
If you’ve decided that the iPad mini 7 is the one, don’t just pay full price at the Apple Store. Since it's been out for over a year, you can find some solid deals.
- Check the Refurbished Store: Apple’s own refurbished site is the gold standard. You get a new shell and a new battery, and it’s basically indistinguishable from a brand-new unit.
- Look for the $399 Sweet Spot: Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy frequently drop the price of the 128GB model to $399 or $429. If you see it at that price, pull the trigger.
- Check Your Pencil: Remember, if you want to draw, you need the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C version. Don't buy a 2nd-gen Pencil by mistake; it won't charge or pair.
- Consider Cellular: Because the mini is so portable, it’s the one iPad where the cellular option actually makes sense. It uses eSIM only, so no more fumbling with those tiny plastic cards.
The iPad mini remains the best "small" tablet on the market by a long shot. Android competitors in this size range are usually budget-tier e-readers with sluggish processors. The mini 7 stands alone as a pocket-sized powerhouse, even as we look toward what's next.