NEW iPad Mini 7 (2024) review: WAS I WRONG?

You work in Apple's iPad mini department: spec out the next iPad mini. GO 👇

I love my iPad mini 7! It’s an awesome iPad

I won a wifi 64GB iPad mini 5 in a raffle in 2019, at the time the only differences between it and the iPad Air were size-related, they had the same CPU, GPU and memory. I replaced it a few weeks ago with a wifi 128 GB iPad mini 7 as the older one was getting quite slow and somewhat lethargic. I'm well pleased with my new device.

My iPad mini goes everywhere with me. I love that it’s small enough for I throw in my bag for work and I can mount it in my jeep to use for navigation on the weekends. A “normal” size iPad is just too big for me to use in those instances and my iPhone 15 promax is a tad too small. Plus having the 2 separate devices allows me to leave my phone free in case of emergency.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I just wanted something that was light enough to take with. It's not that deep. All these people needing all these advanced features, you do you.

I don't want to carry books, journals to write in, my planner, my nintendo switch, a camera....you get the idea.

The ipad mini is one piece of equipment to replace everything else. I love the apple ecosystem, but some fans need to go out and touch grass. This ipad isn't trying to be more than it is and that's what I love about it.

It was safe to guess the mini 7 was gonna be a minor update with the same design, new chip and not much else. The mini took 6 generations to get a proper redesign so it wasn’t gonna be the mini 7 that would change all over again, moreover because propably any new design such as the current one would probably debut in the Pro then climb down the ladder. It’s a good design, and the previous one lasted 5 generations with a very small tweak in the 4. Though it’s fair to say the mini 1’s design was very well received back then because it debuted a change from the iPad 2 design with smaller bezels, those sick looking chamfered edges (we need a slate iPad again) and rounded back corners. Debuting that design was cool but it kind of backfired for the mini because it became the norm for the entire iPad line all the way until the iPad Pro 3 brought the squared off look we have today, which only arrived for the mini six generations in, and seems that it’s gonna last a couple more. Not great but not a disappointment at all, design-wise. But the screen! Ah, the screen was a disappointment, and I don’t even mean promotion or oled, not until they are brought to the Air, but the same brightness levels from the 6, which weren’t great back then, ruins it. The mini is a great portable tablet that sucks outdoors because of that and that’s my only complaint about the mini 6, and it carries to this new one. What a shame. The mini is never killed because it probably has a good user base, but it’s a product Apple clearly puts very little effort into

How well would you say the IPads mini 6 and 7’s brightness holds up in the sun ?

I would like to use the device outdoors on sunny days.

Thank you for another quality video.

Complaining, complaining, complaining.

You absolutely love the iPad MINI —it's your all-time favourite iPad!
And you love your iPad PRO 11" just as much!
A fun upcoming video idea would be to put these two iPads head to head...
And the winner is ........ ?

......... I must admit, I’m torn between these two models! ;-)
Cheers mate, from Montréal

If you were always wrong, then why should I listen to you in the first place?

thanks for Your review it make me decide to keep my MIni6 256gb with gen2 pen.

Ipad mini is the only "real" tablet for tablet use imo. I use it for my job on construction areas all day long and big tablets are not an option for me because of their size and weight. I would be much happier if it had a better screen and battery life. Also apple pencil compability is just stupid.

My ol Air 2 is begging for retirement, and I would like something lighter and so easier on the carpal tunnel syndrome, and something with a lot more storage than the 64gb that ol Air 2 has. 🤣

It's not rocket science - the Mini is the lowest spec future oriented device that Apple can dump onto the corporates. That means you're not going to get some features that corporates and budget users won't pay for - so ipad mini pro? that's not going to sell - and why would you cannibalize ipad pro/air sales?
The 11" air is perfect for advanced users and has the most mainstream requests without being prohibitive or experimental.
Apple is asking the question - how do I sell more memory upgrades...

I would need to see a different display and a greater speed difference before I upgrade. The mini is a carry everywhere iPad and this thing travels with me everywhere. I’m sticking to see what Mini 8 looks like. If I need more muscle, I simply use my IPad Pro M4 for editing etc

OK Mark..you have persuaded me to buy my first mini ever….and the pencil and paper like

How is it for reading books ???? white background???

Love your video reviews. I understand, emotionally, why everyone keeps calling for a Mini Magic Keyboard. I am a short guy with small hands, so i should have no issues with what a KB that size would be. I’ve tested KBs sold for the Mini and they uniformly suck. They’re too frakkin’ small. Size matters and we’re running up against the limitations of size here. We will not & can not get the typing experience on this form factor that we experience with the larger iPads and that we long to duplicate here. I’m typing this on the Keys-2-Go - smallest KB I can bear typing on and still more than an inch wider than the Mini - as a reminder of the experience and it still sucks. Enjoy the Mini for what it is: a premium tablet that has no aspirations to be anything else.

My biggest issue is how much it costs for the fact that it has a 60 hz screen, it's still an LCD, it also isn't water resistant like other brands and for the fact that all they did was really a few upgrades and there's really no redesign it's a little pricey versus the iPad mini 6 that I already have that's paid for.

Hey, great videos, keep it up man. One thing: can you confirm if the ESR digital pencil pro is compatible with the 7? Thanks.

Still on 60hz. WHAT A JOKE!

Can’t believe you butchered the pronunciation of innovative so badly.

I’m on a mini 6 right now by the pool in Egypt, the biggest niggle I have is the brightness is not good enough for sunlight at just 500 nits, whilst the iPhone 16 is amazing at 1000 nits and more for peak brightness, the other issue is the battery does drain significantly when just left on airplane mode and not used for say a week, again compared to an iPhone or iPad Pro which keeps the battery life better.

My only wish is rotation cannot be set - when reclining or lying down (and working with patients/clients with limited/unstable movements) the rotation auto goes from portrait to landscape constantly and is frustrating. The original iPad I remember I could set the rotation to not have it rotate. Tim needs to talk to ME! and put this back in the iPad. Also, I should be able to turn on or off the auto shaping when pausing my pencil when taking notes - my irregular line should remain so and not go to a straighten line when I don't want it to (I'm note taking a resting my pen! - I don't need an auto shape change!).

Why they didn’t put a pro motion OLED in this eludes me.

I took the plunge and purchased an iPad Mini 7 and an iPad Air M2, I am getting a replacement for the mini 7 and I'm returning the Air. The reason is overheating, which I have experienced on both devices when using the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple notes. I would love to hear if you have experienced this on the recent apple devices, during your testing

No SIM card tray :(

I wouldn’t bother unless there was a good keyboard.

Heads up! Costco has a $90 off discount. Online only

I think a big missed opportunity is using the iPad Mini docked. If they added an M1 or M2 chip into it and lets you dock and take to go it would be really cool. A device that I can use for casual reading / consumption and crazy portability, but can dock and get in some real work when needed.

Same shit over and over and over again 👎

Lazy Apple, I really wanted to buy the mini but not now anymore.

For the price and specs, I’ll just get the Air.

Since it’s the same chassis the only reason you can’t use the 2nd gen pencil is to force users to the pro pencil since it’s on a cheaper device.

Apple has polluted their product line so much upgrades are as bad as Microsoft.
It used to be so easy. I miss when they thought different. Lol

love my ipad mini 6 for flights & travel the smaller size is great for watching videos, kindle substitute, magazines etc on a tray table & when I'm away with work in hotels for the same reasons as before but include bedside clock. Its an essential piece of my travel kit. I'd love, but don't need, a magic key board & a better camera (but tbf i generally use my phone for emails and msgs on the go & with 16 pro the iphone camera is great). However I would really to be able to attach it to a monitor when available. Not sure if the 7 is worth the jump having Apple intelligence on my phone... but we'll see!

Great content!

Does the screen flicker/use PWM? That’s all I care about. I had to send a mini back once.

Very good review.
I'm happy with the 128gb starting point

My only remarks would be;
- lacks a min of 90hz motion for the screen
- they could've put at least the M1 chip (don't really understand to stay with the A17, despite it being a good chip)

So After all this wait more waiting awaits 😔

modem which ? Qualcomm's 5G mmWave antenna ?

Engineer here: I need a mini with a very good camera and zoom and stabilisation to document damages in darker rooms / environments . A mini pro ultra - shut Up and take my money 😂

Great channel! If you only could choose one iPad, the mini 7 or PRO M4 11”… you Said in a earlier video that the 11” is like a mini if you are used to the bigger 13” :) Thanks!

Not worth it. Sold the iPad mini 6. Have changed to a Galaxy tab S9. Am very happy with my switch. And i would have to buy a new pencil as Gen 2 is not compatible. The Galaxy comes with pencil included.

iPad Mini base model (2021, USD 500) vs iPad Mini 7 base model (2024, USD 500)

Considering the spec differences of both models and inflation from 2021 to 2024, customers are getting better value for the mini 7 today compared to those who bought the mini 6 in 2021.

Yeah, its still not up par to 2024 tech standards— but hey, the mini doesnt have a large demand and little competition to make it run for its money.

I was waiting for the iPad mini 7 but a couple of months ago I bought the iPad Pro M4 11 inch which is only slightly bigger than the iPad mini 7 But far more powerful and last much longer.

Also A17 chip not enough for mini 7.


This a is pathetic upgrade by apple for the iPad mini 7.

I’m glad I made the right choice on the iPad Pro M4 11 inch a far superior better product and still very portable like the mini 7.

The only thing I’m upset about is the rise of price of the pro from 800$ to 1000$ …. Pro is the only iPad…. Just get old M1 Pro !!! Don’t be fooled !!! Don’t get iPad without 120 hz!!! Dosnt worth it, if you don’t have money or you are cheap, go for android

Great review Mark.
Having watched your comprehensive review I have decided to keep my Ipad Mini 6 and second gen pencil. Its my most used iOS device. Its my note taker, newspaper, book, magazine, hands-free conference call device and bedside radio/alarm. As you say, apple need keyboard for this device.