The iPad Mini 7 is almost perfect – except for one critical missing feature

Apple

I’ve always liked the iPad Mini, especially since Apple introduced the Mini 6 in 2021. For the first time, I felt like I had a tablet that could handle everything from content creation to entertainment without weighing me down. I called it a “desert island device” and I really meant it.

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With the launch of the iPad Mini 7, the device has become even more powerful thanks to the A17 Pro chip and the new Apple intelligence system. However, despite 5G support, a gorgeous 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, and a wide range of apps, it still feels incomplete as it doesn’t let you make native phone calls. In 2024, this seems like a missed opportunity.

A17 Pro chip: why not A18 Pro?

The A17 Pro chip in the iPad Mini 7 is quite powerful, offering a 30% increase in CPU performance and a 25% increase in GPU performance compared to the Mini 6. This means apps run smoother, games are more immersive, and the device can handle demanding experiences AR and professional applications like a pro.

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However, Apple’s decision to use the A17 Pro chip in the iPad Mini 7 raises some questions. This chip was also used in last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, while this year’s iPhone 16 line includes the A18 chip, which is 30% faster and more energy efficient. It feels like a missed opportunity to not bring the cutting-edge A18 chip to the iPad Mini 7. Perhaps Apple had leftover A17 Pro chips from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro production that needed to be used.

The A18 chip is not just about speed; its performance also helps extend battery life. Using this chip in the iPad Mini 7 would make it even more powerful for people who treat it as their primary device. By sticking with the A17 Pro, Apple didn’t fully utilize the iPad Mini 7’s potential, which is disappointing.

What iPad Mini 7 can do

Despite lacking the A18 chip, the iPad Mini 7 is still packed with features that make it an impressive device:

• A17 Pro chip: 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU provide a significant performance boost. Whether you’re editing photos or playing AAA games like Real Racing 3 with hardware-accelerated ray tracing or AR apps, the Mini 7 handles tasks effortlessly.

• 5G connectivity: iPad Mini 7 supports 5G, making it perfect for staying connected on the go. Whether you’re downloading files, streaming in 4K, or gaming online, its performance remains solid.

• Apple Intelligence: Deep integration with iPadOS 18 provides system-wide tools like generative AI for writing and proofreading in apps. You can now rewrite, summarize or clear up text in apps like Mail and Notes, making multitasking easier and more productive.

• Display: The Mini 7’s 2266 x 1488 Full HD+ Liquid Retina display is bright at 500 nits, and the anti-reflective coating makes it perfect for outdoor use. Whether you’re sketching, gaming, or watching movies, the display delivers fantastic images.

• Cameras: The 12MP rear camera with Smart HDR 4 is perfect for capturing vivid 4K photos and videos, while the 12MP ultra-wide-angle front camera supports Center Stage, keeping you in the frame during video calls.

• Apple Pencil Pro support: The new Apple Pencil Pro provides touch feedback, gesture control and pressure sensitivity, making Mini 7 the perfect tool for sketching, note-taking and creative work. You can switch between tools without interrupting your work, making your work extremely intuitive.

• Battery life: iPad Mini 7’s 5078 mAh battery provides all-day battery life, so you can use it on the go without constantly reaching for the charger.

Missing feature: phone calls

Frustratingly, the iPad Mini 7, despite being equipped with 5G, the powerful A17 Pro chip, and communication tools like iMessage and FaceTime, still can’t make native phone calls. At $649 for the Wi-Fi + 5G model, the Mini 7 is a cheaper option compared to the entry-level iPhone 16, which starts at $799. This price difference makes the iPad Mini 7 an attractive alternative, especially if the phone supports Apple features.

While it’s not a device you’d typically hold to your ear, it’s perfect for use with AirPods or any Bluetooth headset – especially the new AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2, which have improved noise cancellation. The hands-free mode is also useful when using a hands-free set in private settings. Apple could have easily enabled the phone’s features via a software update, but chose not to.

This omission seems particularly surprising given that competitors in the tablet market often enable their devices to make calls via LTE. If the Mini 7 had this feature, it could become a true all-in-one device, allowing users to potentially replace their iPhones. For students, travelers and professionals, having one device that handles everything would be a revolution.

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Unfortunately, Apple does not currently offer this feature.

Software limitations

In addition to the phone calling feature, there are several other software limitations that prevent the iPad Mini 7 from reaching its full potential:

• FaceTime and iMessage: While both are supported, they rely on your Apple ID rather than your phone number, which limits their usefulness as replacements for traditional phone services. However, you can forward incoming messages from iPhone to iPad if you are signed in to the same iCloud account.

• WhatsApp: While WhatsApp for iPad is in beta (unfortunately, it was closed at the time of writing), it still doesn’t have an official native app, which is frustrating for users who rely on the platform for communication.

• Instagram and X: Meta still hasn’t delivered an official port of Instagram to iPad after all these years, and X support for iPad (and, well, Mac) has been poor, leaving many people using the web version.

• Apple Watch registration: You still can’t register or manage your Apple Watch from iPad Mini. This means you need an iPhone to set up the Apple Watch, which seems unnecessarily limiting for a device that could do it.

• CarPlay: Despite its GPS and 5G capabilities, the Mini 7 does not support CarPlay. While it can be used for navigation, the lack of CarPlay limits its usefulness in vehicles.

Hardware limitations

Hardware-wise, the iPad Mini 7 performs well, but there are a few areas where it still lags:

• MagSafe charging: The Mini 7 flash drive has a USB-C charging port, which is fast, but lacks the convenience of Apple’s MagSafe system. Since MagSafe is a staple of the Apple ecosystem, its absence here seems like a missed opportunity.

• Single camera: The 12MP rear wide-angle camera is solid (the same one used in previous-generation iPhones, iPad Gen 10, and iPad Air), but lacks the versatility of the iPhone’s dual-camera systems. This is more of a limitation for creative professionals who use iPhone and iPad Pro to take photos and videos.

• No NFC for Apple Pay: You can use Apple Pay to shop online, but there’s still no NFC support for contactless payments in stores, which means you’ll have to pull out a physical card when shopping.

• No satellite texts: Apple did not indicate in its marketing whether the iPad Mini 7 with 5G supports the same satellite text support for emergency communications as the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16.

• Potential “jelly screen” problems.: One of the issues plaguing the Mini 6 was the “gelatinous screen”, where one side of the screen refreshed slower than the other. Apple hasn’t clearly addressed whether this has been fixed in the Mini 7, leaving some users concerned about the quality of the display. An OLED Mini version is reportedly being worked on, but we won’t see it until 2026.

Who is this device for? Students, professionals and older users

The iPad Mini 7 is an incredibly versatile device that caters to a variety of audiences, but it excels in two specific categories: students and older users.

For students, iPad Mini 7 offers portability, Apple Pencil Pro support, and all-day battery life, making it the perfect companion for taking notes, creating content, and multitasking on the go. It’s small enough to fit in a backpack, but powerful enough to run educational apps, edit media, and even play games.

Older users will appreciate its lightweight design and larger screen compared to the iPhone. This makes browsing the Internet, reading e-mails and watching videos easier and easier on the eyes. The intuitive interface and Apple Pencil Pro make it perfect for everyday work, journaling, or creative interests.

Final Thoughts: Close, but not quite perfect

The iPad Mini 7 performs very well. It’s portable, powerful, and packed with features like support for Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro, making it the perfect device for students, professionals, and older users. Its superior performance and 5G connectivity make it a strong contender for those needing a reliable, high-powered device.

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However, the lack of a phone calling feature holds this feature back. If Apple made phone calls possible and addressed some of the other limitations – such as the inability to manage Apple Watches – the iPad Mini 7 could easily become the all-in-one device it has the potential to be.

Until then, it remains an incredibly capable little tablet, but not quite the perfect hybrid it could be.