Apple has officially unveiled the new iPad mini, which now features the advanced A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence.

New Delhi: Apple has officially launched the new iPad mini, now equipped with the latest A17 Pro chip and Apple Intelligence, an intuitive personal intelligence system designed to understand the user's context and provide relevant information while ensuring privacy. This ultraportable device retains its beloved design and comes in four stunning finishes, including new blue and purple options, all of which feature an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display.

The A17 Pro chip significantly boosts performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks. It has a faster CPU and GPU, as well as a neural engine that is twice as fast as the previous generation iPad mini. This powerful chip is fully integrated with Apple Intelligence, taking the device's capabilities to new heights.

One of the features of the new iPad mini is compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro, which opens up new possibilities for productivity and creativity. The device also includes a 12MP wide back camera with Smart HDR 4, allowing users to capture natural-looking photos with improved dynamic range. Additionally, machine learning capabilities allow for efficient document scanning directly within the camera app.

With all-day battery life and the latest iPadOS 18, the new iPad mini offers exceptional value, starting at just INR 49,900 for the 128GB model—double the storage of its predecessor. Customers can begin pre-ordering the new iPad mini today, with availability starting Wednesday, October 23.

Bob Borchers, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, expressed his excitement about the device, saying, “There's no other device in the world like the iPad mini, beloved for its combination of powerful performance and versatility in our most ultraportable design. iPad mini appeals to a wide range of users and is built for Apple Intelligence, providing intelligent new features that are powerful, personal and private. With the powerful A17 Pro chip, fast connectivity and support for Apple Pencil Pro, the new iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience at an incredible value in our most portable design.”

A17 Pro: Unlocking powerful performance in the new iPad Mini

The new iPad mini has received a significant upgrade with the introduction of the A17 Pro chip, which delivers remarkable performance and energy efficiency in a compact design. This advanced chip enhances various aspects compared to the A15 Bionic found in the previous generation iPad mini.

Featuring a 6-core CPU that includes two performance cores and four efficiency cores, the A17 Pro achieves a 30% increase in CPU performance. Additionally, it introduces a 5-core GPU that offers a 25% improvement in graphics capabilities over its predecessor.

The A17 Pro enables a completely new experience, making it an ideal choice for professionals such as designers, pilots and doctors. Users can now edit photos faster and engage with immersive augmented reality applications like never before. The new iPad mini also enhances the gaming experience with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which works four times faster than software-based alternatives, as well as support for dynamic caching and hardware-accelerated mesh shading.

With these improvements, the new iPad mini promises to redefine what users can achieve in a portable device, setting a new standard for performance in its class.

Apple is built for intelligence

Powered by the A17 Pro chip, the new iPad mini integrates seamlessly with Apple Intelligence. This feature, embedded in iPadOS 18, leverages the capabilities of Apple Silicon and custom generative models to enhance user interaction. Apple Intelligence can understand and create language and images, facilitate actions across various applications, and leverage personal context to streamline and speed up everyday tasks. This integration makes iPad mini not just a device, but a smart companion that adapts to your needs.

Enhanced connectivity

The new iPad mini offers faster wireless and wired connectivity, enabling users to accomplish more on the go. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, which provides twice the performance of the previous generation, allowing for faster downloads, smoother online gaming and faster streaming of movies.

For those opting for Wi-Fi + Cellular models, 5G connectivity ensures fast access to files, seamless communication and efficient data backup while travelling. Additionally, these cellular models use eSIM technology, a secure alternative to traditional SIM cards, enabling users to easily connect and transfer their existing plans digitally. This feature allows storage of multiple cellular plans on a single device, increasing convenience for users who are on the go frequently.

Extraordinary camera experience

The new iPad mini combines impressive camera capabilities with its compact design, making it perfect for mobile workflows. The 12MP wide rear camera captures stunning photos, enhanced by Smart HDR 4, which delivers more detailed and vibrant colors. Leveraging an advanced 16-core neural engine, iPad mini uses artificial intelligence to automatically recognize documents directly in the Camera app. In addition, the new True Tone flash helps eliminate shadows, ensuring clear and well-lit images. This powerful camera system makes iPad mini an invaluable tool for personal and business use.

Variable features with Apple Pencil Pro

Apple Pencil Pro enhances iPad mini by unlocking creative potential, turning it into a portable sketchbook. This advanced stylus can detect the user's squeeze, instantly bringing up a tool palette that allows quick adjustments to tools, line weights and colors without interrupting the flow of creativity.

Equipped with a custom haptic engine, the Apple Pencil Pro provides subtle feedback via light taps, confirming actions such as squeezing, double-tapping or snapping into smart shapes. This results in an exceptionally intuitive user experience, making drawing and design more fluid and engaging.

iPadOS 18: Enhanced features for a smarter experience

Along with the innovative capabilities of Apple Intelligence, iPadOS 18 introduces a number of powerful features that enhance the iPad experience, making it more versatile and intuitive than ever before. This latest version also includes advanced frameworks like Core ML, which allows developers to leverage neural engines for powerful AI functionality directly on the device. With these improvements, iPadOS 18 ensures that users can maximize the capabilities of their iPad while enjoying seamless performance and intelligent interactions.

Eco-friendly design

The new iPad mini prioritizes durability with its thoughtful design. It features a casing made from 100% recycled aluminum, along with 100% recycled rare earth elements used in all magnets. In addition, the device incorporates 100% recycled gold plating and tin soldering in various printed circuit boards.

In keeping with Apple's commitment to energy efficiency, the iPad mini adheres to high environmental standards and is free of harmful substances such as mercury, brominated flame retardants and PVC. This environmentally friendly approach reflects Apple's dedication to creating products that are both innovative and responsible.

Price and availability

• Customers can pre-order the new iPad mini starting today, October 15, at Apple.com/in/store and on the Apple Store app in 29 countries and territories, including the US. Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers will be available starting Wednesday, October 23.

• The new iPad mini is offered in four vibrant colors: Blue, Purple, Starlight and Space Grey. The starting price is INR 49,900 for the Wi-Fi model and INR 64,900 for the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. It has a base storage capacity of 128GB, double that of the previous generation. Additionally, customers can choose between 256GB and 512GB storage options.

• For education, the new iPad mini starts here INR44900. Tuition is available to current and newly admitted college students and their parents, as well as all levels of faculty, staff, and home-school teachers. For more information, visit apple.com/us-hed/shop.

• The new iPad mini is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which retails for INR 11,900 or INR 10,900 for education customers. Standard Apple Pencil (USB-C) costs INR 7,900, Education costs INR 6,900. Additionally, the new Smart Folio comes in four colors—Charcoal Grey, Light Violet, Denim and Sage—and is available for INR 6,500.

• Apple offers great ways to save on the latest iPad. Customers can trade in their existing iPad and receive credit for a new one by visiting the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, or an Apple Store location. To see what their device costs and for terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.

• AppleCare+ for iPad offers exceptional service and support with unlimited accidental damage coverage, battery service and 24/7 assistance from knowledgeable staff.

• Customers who buy directly from Apple Retail are also entitled to personalized setup. In these guided online sessions, a specialist will help customers set up the device and highlight features to help them get the most out of their new iPad.