2024 iPad mini: Everything We Know So Far

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Earlier this year, Apple revealed not one, not two, but four new iPad models. The company finally upgraded both the iPad Air and iPad Pro and brought four new models with a new and more powerful processor, as well as support for another new product: the Apple Pencil Pro.
While seeing upgraded versions of some of the company’s biggest and most powerful devices is fantastic, some of us like Apple’s smaller devices, which are still powerful and more affordable.
Enter the iPad mini. The current sixth-generation iPad mini was released in 2021, almost three years ago. While it was a fantastic upgrade, the current iPad mini lacks quite a few features, especially compared to the 2024 iPads.
Fortunately, Apple might change that pretty soon. If the rumors are correct, we might see a brand-new iPad mini before the end of the year. Not only that, but it might also be the most powerful iPad mini we’ve seen yet. Keep reading to find out more.
2024 iPad mini: Design
Unfortunately, if you’re looking to buy the iPad mini to experience that new design feel, you’re out of luck. According to rumors, Apple is expected to keep the same design as the sixth-generation iPad mini.
So expect the same thick bezels, the same small body, and the same power button with Touch ID at the top.
Although there aren’t many rumors supporting this, there might be a slight change in the iPad mini’s design. Apple might move the front-facing camera to the long, horizontal edge, just like it did with the iPad Air and iPad Pro models this year.
The 2024 iPad mini May Come In a New Color

Something that might make the new iPad mini look brand new would be the addition of new colors. Apple likes to switch colors with every new model it releases to make the devices feel new.
That said, there aren’t any strong rumors suggesting that Apple will introduce new colors with the iPad mini. We might see Apple use the same colors it used with the 2024 iPad Air models, so it’s possible we’ll see the iPad mini come in Space Gray, Starlight, and purple — the same colors the current model has — and instead of pink, Apple might use blue instead.
2024 iPad mini: Display
Unfortunately, the display on the iPad mini will probably not feature any big changes this time around, either.
The current iPad mini features an 8.3-inch display, which was a big upgrade from the 7.9-inch display of the previous iPad mini. However, it seems there won’t be any significant changes in the size this year.
The display quality on the iPad mini will likely also remain the same. In the near future, Apple is said to start using OLED technology on the iPad mini’s display, but it seems that won’t happen until at least the eighth-generation iPad mini, which should be released in 2026 or 2027.
The bright side is that many experts expect Apple to finally fix the so-called “Jelly Scrolling issue” on the iPad mini. This bug makes the screen look laggy when scrolling in portrait mode.
2024 iPad mini: Specs

The most significant change on the new iPad mini will be on the inside. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, a well-known Apple analyst and leaker, the iPad mini’s biggest selling point will be its new processor. Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly which processor that will be.
Of course, an M-series chip would be ideal. It would give the smallest iPad a massive boost in performance, but that doesn’t seem very likely.
The most likely scenario is that Apple will continue to use an A-series chip — the same ones the iPhones have — on the iPad mini.
The sixth-generation iPad mini features the A15 chip, which was also used in the iPhone 13. While the new iPad mini might just bump up to the A16 chip of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15, it’s likely Apple will give the new tablet an even more powerful processor.
We expect Apple to use the A17 Pro or even the A18 from the iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 16. The main reason is Apple Intelligence. Apple will most likely add Apple Intelligence to the iPad mini to make it a budget-friendly tablet that people can buy to try the new AI features.
This is the most likely scenario, as Apple is also rumored to upgrade the RAM on the new iPad mini from 4GB to 8GB, which is the same thing it did with the entry-level iPhone 16 models. That’s the minimum requirement to support Apple Intelligence.
What About Storage?
Storage is always a delicate subject with Apple. The company just doesn’t give its customers as much storage as they want — not unless they’re willing to pay.
The current iPad mini is the perfect example. This device comes with a base storage of 64 GB, which just doesn’t feel right even for a product launched in 2021.
While we haven’t seen many rumors backing this up, we’re expecting Apple to bump the storage capacity on this year’s iPad mini. Hopefully, we’ll see an increase to at least 128 GB, which is the current standard for other Apple devices like the iPhone 16 and the iPad Air.
2024 iPad mini: Apple Pencil Support
One of the best accessories for the iPad is the Apple Pencil because of how easy it is to use and the features it comes with. If you’re waiting for the next iPad mini, you’ll probably want to get a new Apple Pencil too. But which one will you need?
Unfortunately, there aren’t many rumors that clarify if the new iPad mini will continue to use the second-generation Apple Pencil or if it will support the new Apple Pencil Pro.
Many speculate that Apple will add support for the Apple Pencil Pro this time around. This would give iPad mini users many more features like haptic response and squeeze features.
Hopefully, this is the case, but Apple tends to wait a little longer before adding support for the latest Apple Pencil just to make the iPad Air and iPad Pro models look like a more enticing option for people who want or need the new Apple Pencil. So we wouldn’t be surprised if Apple keeps support for the second-generation Apple Pencil around for a few more years.
iPad mini: Release Date and Price
Of course, one of the biggest questions everyone wants to know is when the iPad mini is actually going to launch.
While we don’t have a definitive answer yet, rumor has it that it might arrive very soon.
According to Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple is planning to announce a bunch of new products in October as part of its last event of the year.
During that event, Apple will reportedly feature several new Mac models that will finally feature the M4 chip, plus the iPad mini and 11th-generation iPad.
If this is true, Apple will most likely announce the iPad mini near the end of October and have an official launch on Friday, November 1.
We don’t know the exact price just yet. However, we expect Apple to keep the new iPad mini around the same price as the old model. This means we should expect the iPad mini to start at around $499.
Will the new iPad mini Be Worth It?
There’s no doubt that the iPad mini needs an upgrade, as it’s been years since Apple showed it some love.
With that said, the new iPad mini’s biggest selling point will be Apple Intelligence, just like the iPhone 16 lineup.
Of course, this is all just speculation at this point, but we’ll have to wait and see if Apple brings something new to the table to make the iPad mini a worthy upgrade.
[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]