iPad mini A17 Pro (iPad mini 7) Real Review: The Perfect Reading Companion
- Review, Technology
- 20 Nov, 2024
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with iPads. The big iPad Pros are incredibly powerful, but honestly, they’re too heavy to comfortably hold on the couch or in bed. On the flip side, my iPhone’s screen is just a bit too small for reading long articles or comics.
Enter the newly refreshed iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip (what everyone is calling the iPad mini 7). I bought it on launch day, and after spending a few weeks with it, I can confidently say it has completely changed my daily routine.
Let me walk you through my honest, real-world experience with this tiny powerhouse.
The Perfect Form Factor
The number one reason to buy an iPad mini hasn't changed: the size. It is, without a doubt, the most perfectly sized tablet on the market.
- One-Handed Use: I can comfortably hold it in one hand while lying in bed or drinking coffee. It weighs practically nothing compared to its bigger siblings.
- The Ultimate E-Reader: Reading on the iPad mini is a joy. The 8.3-inch screen is exactly the size of a standard paperback book. Whether it’s Kindle books, Apple News, or full-color comics and PDFs, text looks incredibly sharp and natural.
- Jelly Roll is Gone (Mostly): If you followed the news about the previous iPad mini 6, you probably heard about the infamous "jelly scrolling" issue. I’m happy to report that with this new A17 Pro model, Apple has tweaked the display controller, and the screen tearing effect is basically unnoticeable in everyday use.
A17 Pro: More Power Than You Need
Apple decided to skip a few chip generations and slapped the A17 Pro (the same chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro) straight into the new mini.
- Snappy Performance: Everything opens instantly. Multitasking between Safari and a notes app is buttery smooth.
- Gaming: I’m not a hardcore mobile gamer, but I tested some heavy games like Genshin Impact and Resident Evil 4, and the A17 Pro handled them effortlessly. The graphics looked stunning, and the device didn’t get uncomfortably hot.
- Apple Intelligence Ready: Because it has the A17 Pro and 8GB of RAM, this little tablet supports all the new Apple Intelligence features. Using the new writing tools to summarize long articles directly on the screen has been a huge time-saver.
The Apple Pencil Pro Experience
The new iPad mini now supports the Apple Pencil Pro, which is a huge upgrade for note-takers and casual artists.
- Squeeze and Barrel Roll: These new gestures feel incredibly natural. Being able to just squeeze the pencil to switch tools without tapping the screen makes sketching and highlighting so much faster.
- Haptic Feedback: The subtle vibration you get when using the Pencil Pro makes it feel remarkably like you are writing with a real physical tool.
What Could Be Better?
As much as I love this device, it isn't flawless.
- No ProMotion (120Hz): The screen is still locked at 60Hz. If you are used to the 120Hz display on your iPhone Pro or iPad Pro, you will notice the difference. It’s not a dealbreaker for a device mainly used for reading and videos, but it’s a shame Apple didn’t include it.
- Base Storage: It now starts at 128GB, which is a great improvement over the old 64GB, but if you plan on downloading lots of games or movies for travel, you might still need to pay the 'Apple Tax' for the higher tier.
Conclusion
The iPad mini A17 Pro isn’t trying to replace your laptop like the iPad Pro. Instead, it fits perfectly into the gaps of your life—when your phone is too small, but your laptop or big tablet is too bulky.
It has become my dedicated reading device, my digital notebook, and my favorite travel companion. If you value portability above all else and want a tablet that you will actually want to pick up and use every single day, the new iPad mini is absolutely fantastic.
