Is The Apple iPad mini 7 Worth The Upgrade? Our Honest Review A Month In

The answer lies under the hood.

With prices starting at RM2,199, the iPad mini 7 boasts an impressive processor and several artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that are new to the iPad mini series.

We recently got to try out the mini 7 and having used it for a month, here's what we think of it.

One of the main highlights of the mini 7 is the A17 Pro chip inside it. To date, it's the most powerful chip in an iPad mini.

It has a six-core CPU and a five-core GPU, which makes it much faster and more powerful than the iPad mini 6 in terms of performance (a 30% and 25% boost, respectively, if we're talking percentages). It also has a 16-core Neural Engine and ML accelerators that allow the device to process its variety of AI features.

For day-to-day use, the overall performance was smooth, and it was able to handle multitasking between apps very well with low latency. I mainly used it for streaming videos and movies, but everyday tasks like graphic design, gaming, and editing videos were a breeze.

With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the size was big enough to feel comfortable without having to lug around a full-sized iPad. Its convenient portability ensured I could easily prop it up anywhere to watch videos or design social media content without much of a hassle.

The display is vibrant and clear, even in different lighting conditions, so everything I watched, even the most mundane YouTube video, felt like an absolute treat.

It also has a battery life of up to 10 hours, so it's more than enough to last you a day or two before needing a charge depending on how processor-intensive your apps are.

Thanks to the new chip, the mini 7 is capable of running Apple Intelligence, which comes in beta mode with the iPadOS 18.1 update and onwards. This review is focused on the iPad mini on the iPadOS 18.0 system, but here's a handy rundown on what to expect with Apple Intelligence.

Coming back to that 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, you're still seeing the same build as its predecessor, including its 60Hz refresh rate, the thick bezels, and the overall look. The device is only 6.3mm thin, and its enclosure is made out of 100% recycled aluminium. 

However, the mini 7 comes in four colours now: Starlight, Space Grey, Purple, and Blue. The model featured above is the Starlight variant. It also now reads "iPad mini" on the device's back rather than just "iPad".

A plus point is that the seventh-gen iPad mini comes with more storage. The base unit starts at 128GB, which is twice the starting storage of the mini 6. The mini 7 also has the usual 256GB option and a new 512 GB variant.

The feature I found most useful is Smart Script, a tool that refines your handwriting as you take notes in the Notes app. Here's the tool in action, along with the Squeeze function of the Apple Pencil Pro:

The mini 7 also has Math Notes in the Calculator app, which is essentially your own personal math solver — it supports handwritten equations for those who need to solve complex questions with too many symbols (looking at you, Add Maths).

A recent addition to Apple devices is home screen personalisation, which is also available on the iPad mini 7.

Camera-wise, you've got a 12MP wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 to capture vivid photos and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera for all your virtual call needs.

New to the iPad mini, the device can automatically identify documents taken through the Camera app and subsequently remove shadows from the document for a clearer finish.

I do enjoy the convenience of being able to film and edit content on the same device, especially because the bigger screen makes video editing more user-friendly than editing on a mobile phone.

Here are some sample shots taken with the 12MP rear camera:

The Apple Pencil Pro, priced at RM549, came in handy when it came to note-taking and drawing. Its squeeze function allows for quick tool customisation, and its wireless charging function made for convenient charging via the iPad mini itself.

It's worth noting that the mini 7 only supports the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C, so it's not backward compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil, unfortunately.

If you're looking for a starter into the iPad mini world and want a smooth processor and access to Apple Intelligence, then yes. It's a great device on its own.

While it's definitely not a full laptop replacement, it has the advantages of the iPadOS system at a cheaper price and in a highly portable size.

Admittedly, if you already own an iPad mini 6 that's working just fine, the upgrade might not be necessary unless the boost in performance and AI capabilities is a must for you.

Overall, the iPad mini 7 is a fine piece of tech. Through the years, the iPad mini has been able to hold its own against the likes of the iPad and iPad Pro, and this latest iteration proves Apple's not letting this smaller device go unnoticed either.