Apple has announced a new iPad mini, seemingly out of nowhere. Arriving over three years after its predecessor, the 2024 iteration adds a faster A17 Pro chip originally found in the iPhone 15 Pro series with support for Apple Intelligence, more entry-level storage, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro.
The 2024 iPad mini has the same 8.3-inch screen size as the previous model, with an identical 2266 x 1488 resolution at 326 ppi and 60Hz refresh rate. The only real design change with the new Mini is the colours, with new Purple and Blue models joining the existing Space Grey and Starlight options.
In terms of performance, Apple claims its latest compact tablet offers 30% faster CPU, 25% faster GPU, and a Neural Engine twice as fast as the previous model. With the A17 Pro chip, the 2024 iPad mini is capable of utilising Apple Intelligence features like the upgraded Siri, Writing Tools, Image Playground, and Genmoji. No details regarding its battery, but Apple promises that the new mini offers “all-day” usage.
Additionally, it is offered with more RAM, and a higher starting storage of 128GB of storage – double that of its predecessor. And for the first time, a 512GB option is also available. Other than that, the new mini has a faster Wi-Fi 6E chip, an updated USB-C port that’s 2x faster, and supports the new Apple Pencil Pro accessory. There’s also a new Smart Folio for the tablet that’s priced at RM249, and is available in either charcoal grey, light violet, denim, and sage.
For imaging, on its back is a 12MP primary with Smart HDR 4 and an updated True Tone flash, whereas in front is another 12MP shooter for selfies and video conferencing. With the 16-core Neural Engine of the A17 Pro processor, the 2024 iPad mini is capable of utilising AI to automatically identify and scan documents.
The 2024 iPad mini starts from RM2,199 for the Wi-Fi model, and from RM2,899 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular variant. For education, it is offered from RM1,949 for the former, and from RM2,649 for the latter. However, Apple has yet to confirm the compact tablet’s date of availability for the Malaysian market.
