Despite the “mini” in the model name, the iPad mini tablet is not an entry-level device in terms of hardware specifications and market position. Last year’s iPad mini 6, for example, was dubbed by many as the “A15 mini. Thanks to its lightweight size and superior performance, it has attracted many iOS dual-players or Android + iOS dual-players. As for the next-generation iPad mini 7 model, recent reports suggest that it will receive a major update to its screen assembly.
While screen sizes are getting bigger across the iPad lineup — there are even rumors that the iPad Pro will be bumped up to 14.1 inches — the lightweight iPad mini isn’t being left behind.
The latest leak from LeaksApplePro says that the biggest change to the iPad mini 7 will be support for the 120Hz ProMotion high-brush full-screen (also reported in a number of rumors late last year), but the size will remain at 8.3 inches.
“For reference, the current iPad mini 6 only has a normal 60Hz screen and the ‘jelly screen’ issue has dissuaded many potential buyers.
Other than that, iPad mini 7 is expected to use the 4nm advanced process A16 Bionic chipset and the memory is expected to be upgraded to 6/8GB LPDDR5.
Unfortunately, Apple is unlikely to release the new device in the second half of this year, and the earliest it could be released would be spring 2023.
As for ProMotion, this is Apple’s custom name for the “Adaptive Refresh Rate” feature. The feature is the ability to intelligently switch between 1 to 120 Hz depending on the usage scenario.
This technology is already supported by many LTPO displays on the market and has proven to be effective in reducing battery consumption in mobile devices. But with the iPad mini 7, Apple is not expected to make it significantly more expensive.
