Apple has officially announced the upcoming iPad mini, confirming its arrival less than a week ago. This new tablet is set to be loaded with features and will be driven by the powerful A17 Pro chip, the same technology found in the iPhone 15 Pro series. Not only is this device highly anticipated, but it also promises to deliver exceptional value when it comes to Apple’s latest advancements in technology.
One of the key highlights of this iPad is its emphasis on Apple Intelligence, although the service won’t be available until five days after the iPad mini’s launch on October 28. Users won’t have access to these features right out of the box, as they will need to wait for an update. The real attraction, however, is the price point. At just $349, this budget-friendly tablet is currently the most economical option available for accessing Apple Intelligence, making it a smart buy for those seeking advanced features without breaking the bank.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has indicated that the main features of Apple Intelligence will not roll out until sometime between December and March. Initially, the capabilities will include summarizing notifications from various apps—a useful function, though it may not be as impressive as features like Image Creation or Smart Reply.
The long wait for this iPad refresh may be tied to the development of Apple Intelligence. The last update for the entry-level iPad was in October 2022, and fans had expected a refresh much sooner. While many anticipated the release of several new iPads featuring the A16 chip, Apple may have chosen to delay to incorporate a more powerful and compact chip that supports Apple Intelligence. Although integrating Apple Intelligence into the iPad mini at an earlier stage might have been feasible, it could also have been prohibitively expensive.
Regardless, it’s exciting to see cutting-edge features being included in a budget-friendly device, especially one priced at just $349. This iPad mini might be compact, but it promises impressive capabilities, and its functionality is likely to expand with the rollout of Apple Intelligence.