‘Constrained’ iPad Mini Stock at Apple Stores Could Indicate an Upcoming Refresh
Credit: Apple
Toggle Dark Mode
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the stock of the sixth-generation iPad mini is low at “many” Apple retail stores, which could indicate that a new iPad mini is on the way.
Gurman tweeted that the iPad mini is considered “constrained” internally at Apple, which could be a sign that a refresh is imminent. The sixth-generation iPad mini has been available since September 2021, making the current model nearly three years old and due for an update. Gurman indicates the new iPad mini will also likely be compatible with Apple Intelligence. Many Apple stores are low on stock of the iPad mini in several configs, while the device is considered “constrained” internally within Apple, I’m told. That *could* be a sign a new one is coming. It hasn’t been updated since 2021. Wouldn’t be surprised to see it updated for AI.
Apple has been working on a seventh-generation version of the iPad mini for a while now, with reports going back to at least last fall. The next iPad mini is expected to be powered by an A17 Pro or M-series chip to support Apple Intelligence, as well as updated front and rear cameras, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.
Apple is widely expected to use the A17 Pro from the iPhone 15 Pro models. However, it could use another A17 variant capable of handling Apple Intelligence or even the same M1 chip previously used earlier iPad Air and iPad Pro models.
However, the iPad mini could also get an A18 chip if it debuts after the iPhone 16 lineup, as the iPhone 16 models are expected to be powered by chips in the A18 family.
If Apple opts to use an A17 Pro or a similar variant, that would mean the iPad mini 7 would perform on par with Apple’s current iPhone 15 Pro models. However, it may lag slightly behind the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro, which now sport M2 and M4 chips, respectively.
It’s likely that we probably won’t see too many external upgrades on an iPad mini 7, as its design already follows the modern iPad lineup design layout. While Apple could expand the front-facing camera into a Face ID sensor, that seems an unlikely move on its smallest tablet since Face ID is still exclusive to the iPad Pro.
Some observers note that as Apple has its Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C on the market, The Cupertino company will likely continue its slow-but-sure phase-out of Apple Pencil 2. This could indicate that the front camera may move to the landscape side of the smaller tablet.
The sixth generation iPad mini’s color options include space gray, starlight, pink, and purple. Since Apple has been known to refresh iPad color options with updates, new colors could also be introduced.
When the new iPad Air debuted, Apple dropped the pink color option. The iPad Air is now available in space gray, purple, blue, and starlight. We may see the iPad mini 7 offer the same colors, but only time will tell.
While we could see a new iPad mini unveiled at Apple’s upcoming September 9 iPhone 16 event, Apple could also hold a second event or announcement to reveal it. Apple has sometimes held dedicated iPad events in the fall. However, that seems unlikely this year as the company already unveiled its most exciting iPad updates at its Let Loose event in May. During that event, Apple updated its iPad Pro models, powered by M4 chips, and introduced two new iPad Air models with an M2 chip.
We are still expecting several M4 Macs to debut this year, so Apple will likely make an announcement before the end of 2024. Apple is expected to debut new MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac models powered by M4 chips. Apple could unveil its seventh generation iPad mini with a similarly capable A-series chip in an announcement alongside the debut of its M4 Macs, although it tends to keep its Mac events focused solely on the Mac.
