Apple
iPad mini 7 Release Date: Tips & Tricks
Apple’s reportedly working on a new iPad mini and there are some steps interested buyers should take ahead of the iPad mini 7 release date.
If you’re in the market for a new iPad, you might want to hang around and wait for Apple’s rumored seventh-generation iPad mini, also known as the iPad mini 7.
Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman says the iPad mini 7 will miss the spring and arrive sometime later on in 2024. He didn’t provide a precise window.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has solid supply chain sources, says mass production of the new iPad mini has been delayed to the second half 0f 2024.
We expect the iPad mini 7 to launch in the fall, either in September alongside the iPhone 16 or in the October/November window just ahead of the holidays.
Table of Contents
If you think you might want to buy Apple’s new iPad mini, here are some tips that will help you prepare for its arrival.
Track iPad mini 7 Rumors
If you’re interested in buying Apple’s next iPad mini, you’ll want to track the latest rumors.
As the weeks go on, reports will fill in the blanks and highlight the changes coming to the iPad mini series down the road. These rumors will help you set proper expectations and help you decide if the device is worth waiting for.
For the latest iPad mini 7 rumors, have a look at our guide.
Get Familiar with iPadOS
If you’re currently using an iPad that’s running old iPadOS software or tablet that runs another operating system, and you plan to upgrade to a new iPad mini down the road, you’ll want to get familiar with the newest versions of iPadOS.
Right now, the current version of iPadOS is iPadOS 17. If you own a newer iPad model, you’ve probably already upgraded to the software and you can safely skip this step.
If you aren’t using iPadOS right now, you’ll want to use this time to get comfortable with the operating system. This is especially important if you’re considering a move from Windows, or Android, to Apple’s ecosystem.
Given what we’ve heard about the iPad mini 7’s launch, it will probably run iPadOS 18 out of the box. iPadOS 18 will debut in June at WWDC 2024.
For more about Apple’s plans for iPadOS 18, head to our roundup. It will get you caught up to speed.
Decide How Much Storage You Need
You’ll want to use this time to decide how much storage you might need on your new iPad mini.
Many of you will be fine with the least amount of storage, but many others will likely need to upgrade. Picking the right storage capacity will help you save some money and avoid headaches.
We haven’t seen any credible iPad mini 7 storage rumors yet, but there’s a chance Apple launches two variants.
The iPad mini 6 comes in 64GB and 256GB. We’re hoping the company beefs up the iPad mini 7’s storage capacity, but that may be wishful thinking.
We aren’t expecting the iPad mini 7’s price to take a huge leap from the iPad mini 6’s. The 64GB iPad mini 6 starts at $499 while the larger 256GB model starts at $649.
Look at Other iPads
Before you decide to wait for the iPad mini 7’s release date, make sure you shop around starting with Apple’s other iPad options.
The iPad mini 6 is the current flagship and it’s an obvious choice for shoppers who may not be able to wait until the summer or fall of 2024.
You’ll also want to take a look at the company’s standard iPad, current iPad Air and perhaps some of the cheaper iPad Pro models.
Research iPad mini Alternatives
We also recommend digging into iPad mini alternatives that fall outside of the Apple iPad family. Here are a few of the best alternatives on the market right now:
Make sure you go hands-on with these, and others, in the weeks ahead.
Make a Plan for Your Current Tablet
You may want to start making a plan for your current tablet.
You might know of a friend or relative who could benefit from your current device. Ask around and see if anyone might need a hand-me-down after you upgrade. You might also look into donating your tablet to charity.
If you plan on selling your current tablet to help offset the cost of your new iPad mini, you’ll want to track prices at popular resellers.
You’ll also want to keep your current tablet in good condition because that’s how you’ll get the most money back from some resellers when trade-in offers arrive.
Research Carriers
Like the iPad mini 6, we expect the iPad mini 7 to come with 5G connectivity. Having cellular data could be useful if you plan to get work done on your new iPad mini in places where you don’t have a strong Wi-Fi signal or won’t have one at all.
If you’re unhappy with your current provider’s coverage or plan, use this time to dig into competitors and see if you can find a better fit for your next tablet.
