After a three-year hiatus, Apple has given the iPad mini a much-needed update, though you might not notice it at first glance. The seventh-generation iPad mini looks quite similar to its predecessor, with a Touch ID sensor on the power button and a slender-edged screen. However, under the hood, there's a significant change: the new A17 Pro chip, borrowed from last year's iPhone 15 Pro.

This new processor, Apple claims, can boost the mini's CPU performance by 30 percent and GPU performance by 25 percent. It also supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which enhances graphics performance. But the real game-changer might be the extra RAM—the A17 Pro comes with 8GB, doubling the A15's 4GB. This extra memory is crucial for upcoming Apple Intelligence AI features, which won't be available on older iPad minis.

The new iPad mini is ready for preorders and starts at $499 for a 128GB version. This is a bump up from the previous base model's 64GB. For more storage, you can opt for 256GB ($599) or 512GB ($799). Adding cellular connectivity to any model will set you back an extra $150.

Apple Intelligence, a new AI feature, will roll out in the next few weeks with the iPadOS 18.1 update. The new iPad mini will be the only one in its line to support these smart features, thanks to the extra RAM in the A17 Pro.

iPad Mini Gets a Big Boost with A17 Pro Chip

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