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

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With the release of the iPad Mini 7, the device has become even more powerful, thanks to the A17 Pro chip and Apple’s new Intelligence system. However, despite 5G support, a beautiful 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and a wide range of apps, it still feels incomplete as it can’t make phone calls natively. In 2024, this feels like a missed opportunity.

The A17 Pro chip: why not the A18 Pro?

The iPad Mini 7’s A17 Pro chip 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 that the device can handle demanding AR experiences and professional apps 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 series features the A18 chip, which is 30% faster and more energy efficient. It seems like a missed opportunity not to bring the ultra-modern A18 chip to the iPad Mini 7. Apple may have had A17 Pro chips left over from last year’s iPhone 15 Pro production that needed to be used up.

The A18 chip isn’t just about speed; its efficiency also helps extend battery life. Using this chip in the iPad Mini 7 would have made it even more powerful for people who relied on it as their device of choice. By sticking with the A17 Pro, Apple hasn’t used the iPad Mini 7 to its full potential, and that’s a disappointment.

What the iPad Mini 7 can do

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

• A17 Pro chip: The 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU provide significant performance improvements. Be it editing photos, playing AAA games like Real racing 3 With hardware-accelerated ray tracing or the use of AR apps, the Mini 7 performs tasks effortlessly.

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

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

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

• Cameras: The 12 MP rear camera with Smart HDR 4 is perfect for capturing vibrant photos and 4K videos, while the 12 MP Ultra Wide front camera supports Center Stage, helping you stay in frame during video calls.

• Support for Apple Pencil Pro: The new Apple Pencil Pro adds haptic feedback, gesture control and pressure sensitivity, making the Mini 7 a great tool for sketching, note-taking and creative work. You can switch between tools without interrupting your flow, which makes it feel incredibly intuitive.

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

The only missing feature: phone calls

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

While it’s not a device you’d normally hold up to your ear, it would be ideal for use with AirPods or another Bluetooth headset, especially the new AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 2, which have improved noise cancellation. Speakerphone mode would also be useful for hands-free use in private settings. Apple could easily enable the phone functionality with a software update, but they chose not to.

This omission is especially surprising when you consider that competitors in the tablet market often have their devices make calls via LTE. If the Mini 7 had this feature, it could become a true all-in-one device, potentially allowing users to replace their iPhones. For students, travelers and professionals, having one device that handles everything would be a game changer.

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Unfortunately, Apple does not currently offer this feature.

Software limitations

In addition to the phone calling functionality, there are a number of 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 and not a phone number, limiting their usefulness as a replacement for traditional phone services. However, you can forward incoming text messages on your iPhone to your iPad, as long as you’re signed in to the same iCloud account.

• WhatsApp: Although WhatsApp for iPad is in beta (sadly closed at the time of writing), there is still no official native app, frustrating users who rely on the platform for communication.

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

• Apple Watch enrollment: You still can’t register or manage an Apple Watch from the iPad Mini. This means you need an iPhone to set up and configure your Apple Watch, which feels unnecessarily restrictive for an otherwise capable device.

• CarPlay: Despite the Mini 7’s GPS and 5G capabilities, it lacks CarPlay support. While you can use it for navigation, the absence of CarPlay limits its usability in vehicles.

Hardware limitations

In terms of hardware, the iPad Mini 7 performs well, but there are a few areas where it still lags:

• MagSafe charging: The Mini 7 sticks with USB-C for charging, which is fast but lacks the convenience of Apple’s MagSafe system. Since MagSafe is an important part of Apple’s ecosystem, its absence here feels like a missed opportunity.

• Single camera: The 12MP wide rear camera is solid (the same one used on previous-generation iPhones, the iPad Gen 10 and the iPad Air), but lacks the versatility of the iPhone’s dual camera systems. This is more of a limitation for creative professionals who rely on the iPhone and iPad Pro for photography or videography.

• No NFC for Apple Pay: You can use Apple Pay for online purchases, but there’s still no NFC support for contactless payments in-store, meaning you’ll have to pull out a physical card when making purchases.

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

• Potential problems with the “Jelly Screen”.: One problem that the Mini 6 suffered from was the ‘jelly screen’, where one side of the screen refreshes more slowly than the other. Apple hasn’t explicitly stated whether this has been fixed in the Mini 7, leaving some users concerned about display quality. An OLED version of the Mini is reportedly in development, but we won’t see that until 2026.

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

The iPad Mini 7 is an incredibly versatile device that suits different audiences, but it excels in two specific categories: students and older users.

For students, the iPad Mini 7 offers portability, Apple Pencil Pro support, and all-day battery life, making it an ideal companion for note-taking, content creation, and multitasking on the go. It’s small enough to fit in a backpack, but powerful enough for educational apps, media editing and even gaming.

Older users will appreciate the lightweight design and larger screen compared to an iPhone. This makes surfing the web, reading emails and watching videos easier without straining your eyes. Its intuitive interface and Apple Pencil Pro make it perfect for casual productivity, journal writing, or creative hobbies.

Final thoughts: Close, but not quite perfect

The iPad Mini 7 does a lot right. It’s portable, powerful, and packed with features like support for Apple Intelligence and Apple Pencil Pro, making it a great device for students, professionals, and older users. Its top-notch performance and 5G connectivity make it a strong candidate for those who need a reliable, powerful device.

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However, the lack of phone call functionality holds this back. If Apple were to enable phone calls and address some of the other limitations (like 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.