Video Review: A Month With the iPad Mini 7

[MacRumors]

It's been just over a month since Apple released the iPad mini 7, refreshing its smallest tablet with a new Apple Intelligence-capable A17 Pro chip. MacRumors videographer Dan Barbera has been using the iPad mini 7 as a replacement for the iPad Pro for the last several weeks, and he has some thoughts to share on Apple's latest iPad.

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For a travel companion alongside a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air, the 8.3-inch iPad mini is the ideal size. It fits well into a bag, but in a pinch, it also tucks into a coat pocket. On a flight, it's a good size for content consumption like watching movies or TV shows, but it's a hard to get work done on such a small screen.

Apple doesn't make a small keyboard for the iPad mini, so unless you have a third-party accessory like a Bluetooth keyboard, typing needs to be done with the on-display keyboard. Adding a keyboard does help the situation, but you're still working with a smaller-sized display.

For playing games, using social media apps, checking email, and browsing the web, the iPad mini is perfect. The A17 Pro chip means that it's ideal for any mobile game you want to play, and even though the small screen might be a downside, it's powerful enough for Final Cut Pro. The A17 Pro supports Apple Intelligence, plus there's 8GB RAM, so you get all of the latest AI features. With support for the Apple Pencil Pro, note taking, drawing, and sketching are great on the iPad mini 7.

The iPad mini is essentially almost as powerful as Apple's other, larger iPads, and it is just as capable, so there's little compromise other than screen size when choosing it. It's a great travel companion and daily use tablet, but it might be frustrating if you need something to use to get work done.

Article Link: Video Review: A Month With the iPad Mini 7

 

[poematik13]

Took mine to italy this month, its the perfect size to watch a movie on airplane seatback trays with your drink next to it. Data plan also worked nicely out there

 

[tomsop]

I am always packing my iPad Pro for a trip. This time I decided to rely on my phone. It was a short trip and I knew I would not have much free time to get involved with the stuff I normally do on the iPad. It is funny how we all have iPhones but to bridge our social media and entertainment needs when leaving our computers or laptops at home and gets left aside for bigger screens. I managed well with the iPhone - I just chose to use it to tackle podcasts, more browsing than serious app stuff like procreate, games, writing, etc. Anything substantial needed I definitely need a much bigger screen. I just don't see the need for the mini for me - the iPhone is plenty of screen for certain things. Anything bigger then I need my keyboard and iPad Pro as well.

 

[diamondsw]

Thanks for dismissing the jelly-scrolling concerns. Glad you can't see it. Obviously a lot of us could - maybe have someone else in your group do the review since this was a significant issue with the previous generation that you can't test?

I'm one of those people who bought the Mini 6 thinking it would be small-tablet-nirvana, and sent it back within a week because the jellyscrolling was terrible. If you see it, you see it constantly. I don't need to do anything weird; just scrolling a web page was terrible - the left side was visibly out of sync with the right, so it scrolled... like wobbly jelly.

 

[nikhsub1]

IMO any ipad is frustrating if you 'want to get work done'.

 

[lazyrighteye]

My mini 6, paired with Pencil 2, is hands-down my favorite iPad I have used to date. And that’s having used several since the OG launch day iPad. Perfectly portable, completely capable. I’m in the quiet camp that would love a no compromises iPad Pro mini. It’ll never happen. But if it did, I’d be first in line.

 

[The Cappy]

... but it's a hard to get work done on such a small screen.

Apple doesn't make a small keyboard for the iPad mini, so unless you have a third-party accessory like a Bluetooth keyboard, typing needs to be done with the on-display keyboard. Adding a keyboard does help the situation, but you're still working with a smaller-sized display.

...

The iPad mini is essentially almost as powerful as Apple's other, larger iPads, and it is just as capable...

Considering the first 2 paragraphs contained very clear statements about why the mini is less capable, seems to me your conclusion should the reworked.

 

[Realityck]

Thanks for dismissing the jelly-scrolling concerns. Glad you can't see it. Obviously a lot of us could - maybe have someone else in your group do the review since this was a significant issue with the previous generation that you can't test?

I'm one of those people who bought the Mini 6 thinking it would be small-tablet-nirvana, and sent it back within a week because the jellyscrolling was terrible. If you see it, you see it constantly. I don't need to do anything weird; just scrolling a web page was terrible - the left side was visibly out of sync with the right, so it scrolled... like wobbly jelly.

Mini 6 vs Mini 7, its just doesn't have as much left side sync issues, its reduced IMHO with my own usage. We had another poster in one of the many mini 7 centric threads that did have some eye issues with using the mini 6 that says the mini 7 doesn't bother him in comparison, so go try it in the store or get one to test out, and see if still does. If I had to guess I would say the panel used in the mini 7 seems to have a better refresh rate when looking at left to right text as far as being aligned going up and down with the controller in the same axis position.

Either way this mini 7 iPad is just plain fun to take everywhere, reading or lounging during times you need to do things on it. Very easy to use in bed compared to larger 11" iPads.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I returned my Mini 7

The screen sucks on these for what they cost

I love the Mini form factor, but I'm not overpaying for low end display hardware

 

[3304614]

I like how you type that the size is the compromise… when the size is (likely) the main reason why someone would buy the Mini, lol.

 

[Entilzha]

I returned my Mini 7

The screen sucks on these for what they cost

I love the Mini form factor, but I'm not overpaying for low end display hardware

In what way was the display bad?

 

[Realityck]

In what way was the display bad?

He expects a promotion 120 Hz display for a iPad mini 7 selling for $399 on Amazon (8GB/129GB SSD), not the older 60 Hz panels that so many non pro Apple devices uses.

 

[dominiongamma]

He expects a promotion 120 Hz display for a iPad mini 7 selling for $399 on Amazon (8GB/129GB SSD), not the older 60 Hz panels that so many non pro Apple devices uses.

Sad to see people still defending 60hz. Same people who thought 720p was enough when 1080 came. And 4K even. Apple is just being greedy now. It’s dated looking too

 

[Realityck]

Sad to see people still defending 60hz. Same people who thought 720p was enough when 1080 came. And 4K even. Apple is just being greedy now. It’s dated looking too

Had nothing to do with the resolution, it was the refresh rate. OLED panels are still not mainstream at Apple, 2026 looks to be the time.

 

[Entilzha]

Sad to see people still defending 60hz. Same people who thought 720p was enough when 1080 came. And 4K even. Apple is just being greedy now. It’s dated looking too

Please do show me a $399 non-Apple tablet with the same or greater processing power and capability that also has that 120hz display you mention.

I’ll wait.

Edit: for anyone who disagrees…link it. Prove me wrong.

 

[Zapski]

I’m enjoying my Mini 7, but like Dan said it’s better for consumption than production. I still use my big iPad M4 for most things, but the Mini is used mostly for reading for me. Sometimes I’ll scribble something in ProCreate, and it’s fine for that, but for more detailed work I’ll switch back to the M4

 

[x86dude]

Ohh. That promo screen shot says “Mini”.
Sideways, I always thought it said “Milk”.

 

[roncron]

Love the Mini form factor. But disappointed in how little it was updated from the Mini 6 three years ago. Same display, same front-facing camera, and still missing support for Stage Manager and external monitor.

All we got was more ram, pencil pro support, and last year’s iPhone pro chip. Not enough to justify an upgrade unless you really need Apple Intelligence support and don’t have other Apple devices that you can use for Apple Intelligence.

Whether you have a 6 or 7, you can get a cheap stand, mouse, and BT keyboard on Amazon and you’ll have a nice setup.

 

[citysnaps]

Loving my Mini 7.

Fast, perfect size for travel or just lounging in a living room chair, light weight, excellent contrast screen, no "jelly scroll", decent price. My wife the artist is going to get one with an Apple Pencil Pro to use with Procreate.

Have a feeling her iPad Pro will not be used as much going forward.

 

[IAmStumped]

Dan, where'd you find that iPad mini keyboard? I've been trying to find something like that.

 

[Realityck]

Dan, where'd you find that iPad mini keyboard? I've been trying to find something like that.

I think its this one from doqo

 

[MDL-Steven]

When they have an OLED version then the mini is variable.

 

[subjonas]

In what way was the display bad?

Usually when people leave very unspecific (therefore useless) criticism it’s because they want to leave a stink without having to back it up nor make a statement that can be challenged. Not always the case of course, sometimes they’re just lazy.

 

[svish]

Good video. mini looks the iPad to buy if someone wants a smaller iPad specifically. All the iPads in the lineup are good. Happy to see the new mini also support the latest Apple Pencil.

 

[Loi84]

Usually when people leave very unspecific (therefore useless) criticism it’s because they want to leave a stink without having to back it up or make a statement that can be challenged. Not always the case of course, sometimes they’re just lazy.

It is not sad if somebody criticizes an obvious weakness of a product. At the given price point. Not necessary to reiterate the same details over and over again. If you are looking for a comparison of display techs - e.g., IPS vs. OLED - I suggest you try your trusted search engine.

The unreflected fanboyism is sad.
I bought the new mini myself, accepting the relatively bad display. I don't have to talk myself into the illusion that it's incredible. Apple can charge the premium price due to ecosystem reasons and brand loyalty. Not because this is a product without compromises... They could have easily given us OLED if they had wanted.