iPad Mini Update

AI created, human edited. 

Apple quietly released an updated iPad Mini today, marking the device's first refresh since 2021. The stealth release, which came without the usual fanfare of an Apple event, brings several notable improvements to the company's smallest tablet.

The most significant upgrade includes the A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in last year's iPhone 15 Pro. Industry experts, including Jason Snell from Six Colors, suggest this chip choice might be related to Apple's transition to new manufacturing processes, with the company possibly utilizing the remaining inventory of the first-generation 3-nanometer chips.

The refreshed iPad Mini maintains its compact 8.3-inch display form factor while adding support for the latest Apple Pencil Pro. This enhancement makes the device more attractive for note-taking and artistic applications, despite its smaller size. Alex Lindsay noted during MacBreak Weekly that the iPad Mini's size actually works well for sketching, with users able to zoom in as needed.

Pricing starts at $499 for the 128GB model, with storage options up to 512GB and cellular configurations pushing the price to around $1000 for maxed-out specifications. The device comes in several colors, including purple, blue, and starlight, though the hosts noted the colors appear more muted than previous generations.

The timing and method of this release have sparked speculation about Apple's broader product launch strategy for late 2024. The quiet rollout might suggest that Apple is clearing the deck for more significant announcements, possibly including new M4-based Macs, in the coming weeks.

Subscribe to MacBreak Weekly for current Apple news and humorous tomfoolery.