At WWDC 2025, Apple redefined what the iPad could be with the announcement of iPadOS 26. More than just an iterative upgrade, this update finally turns the iPad into a true productivity powerhouse—bridging the gap between tablet and desktop while layering in generative AI, multitasking muscle, and a slick new visual language.
1. Liquid Glass UI: A Unified Visual Experience
iPadOS 26 introduces Apple’s new Liquid Glass design system, an aesthetic overhaul that adds translucent, refractive UI elements across all Apple platforms. From frosted menus to fluid transitions, it brings visual cohesion between iPad, iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro. The design echoes macOS Big Sur but goes further, giving depth, texture, and interactive flair to the iPad’s interface like never before.
2. Real Windowing Comes to iPad
After years of workarounds like Split View and Stage Manager, iPadOS 26 delivers true desktop-style multitasking. Apps can now open in resizable, free-floating windows with standard Mac-like controls—close, minimize, resize, and tile. A new Exposé-style view shows all active windows, making it easier to jump between tasks. External display support is also improved, turning your iPad into a legitimate desktop workstation.
3. Mac-Like Menu Bar for iPad
Apple added a swipe-down menu bar at the top of the screen, bringing the familiar macOS layout to iPadOS. It dynamically adapts to each app, offering quick access to settings, controls, and file functions. It’s designed to work fluidly with both touch and keyboard/mouse setups, further blurring the line between iPad and MacBook workflows.
4. Major Files & Preview App Upgrades
The Files app now supports resizable list views, collapsible folders, and Dock drag-and-drop for faster file access. Apple also ported the Preview app from macOS, letting users view and edit PDFs with Apple Pencil, use AutoFill, and annotate documents—perfect for students, professionals, and creatives alike.
5. Apple Intelligence on iPad
Apple’s new generative AI suite, dubbed Apple Intelligence, is now built into iPadOS 26. This includes:
- Genmoji: Custom emojis generated from text prompts.Image Playground: On-device image generation without cloud processing.Live Translations: Seamless real-time language translation in FaceTime and Messages.Contextual Shortcuts: Suggested actions based on on-screen activity.
Importantly, most features run on-device using Apple Silicon, preserving privacy while delivering fast performance. Developers can also tap into these capabilities using a new Apple Intelligence API.
6. New Native Apps Join the iPad Lineup
iPadOS 26 adds several key apps to its default suite:
- Journal: Apple’s journaling app finally comes to iPad.Phone: A native Phone app brings call capability via iPhone pairing or eSIM for cellular iPads.Games: A central hub combining Apple Arcade, Game Center, leaderboards, and multiplayer invites.Preview: As mentioned above, for PDF and image work.
7. Audio and Video Tools for Creators
Content creators get new tools like studio-quality voice isolation, enhanced support for external microphones, and high-fidelity local capture for FaceTime and other video calls. When paired with AirPods Pro or Max, users will notice improved mic pickup and latency-free recording.
8. Background Tasks & Live Activities
iPadOS 26 lets developers run richer background processes, such as syncing large files or processing AI tasks. Paired with Live Activities, users can now monitor these processes in real-time—similar to iOS’s Dynamic Island experience.
9. Dock Folders & Organization Upgrades
The iPad Dock now supports folders, including persistent ones like Downloads, Projects, and Recents. This change reduces friction when juggling files between apps and helps anchor workflows in one place.
10. Game Overlay & Revamped Gaming Hub
The all-new Games app offers a native place to track progress, launch Arcade games, manage controllers, and view achievements. A gameplay overlay can be triggered during play to check friends’ activity or tweak settings without leaving the game screen—ideal for competitive or casual gamers alike.
11. Timeline for Release
The developer beta is already live. A public beta will follow in July, with the final release expected in Fall 2025, alongside iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26.
Final Thoughts
With iPadOS 26, Apple is no longer tiptoeing around the question of “Can the iPad replace your laptop?” This update answers it with a bold “Yes.” Between the polished UI, true windowing, and a deep focus on on-device AI, Apple is finally giving power users the tools they’ve long requested—without losing what made the iPad uniquely intuitive in the first place.
Latest About iPad Mini 7
Apple quietly introduced the new iPad mini 7 on October 15, 2024, with availability beginning on October 23. This latest iteration comes more than three years after the previous generation, bringing significant updates to Apple’s compact tablet lineup. The iPad mini 7 features the powerful A17 Pro chip, making it ready for Apple Intelligence and providing a substantial performance boost over its predecessor.
The release surprised many tech enthusiasts who had been expecting an announcement during Apple’s October event. Instead, Apple opted for a straightforward announcement through its official channels. Customers could begin pre-ordering the device immediately after the announcement in 29 countries and regions, with full availability following just over a week later.
The seventh-generation iPad mini represents Apple’s commitment to its smaller tablet format, addressing the long gap between updates that had left many wondering about the future of the mini line. With its powerful new internals and Apple Intelligence capabilities, the new model positions itself as a premium compact tablet option in Apple’s current lineup.
The iPad Mini 7 was announced on October 15, 2024, and released on October 23, 2024.
Here’s a summary of the latest information and key features:
- Release and Availability: It’s currently available for purchase. You might find it on sale, with some retailers offering discounts.
- Processor: It features the A17 Pro chip, which is the same powerful chip found in the iPhone 15 Pro models. This brings significant performance improvements over its predecessor, making it capable of handling console-quality games and supporting Apple Intelligence features.
- Apple Intelligence: The iPad Mini 7 is compatible with Apple Intelligence, offering features like Writing Tools, redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos.
- Apple Pencil Support: It supports the Apple Pencil Pro (which has new features like squeeze gestures, barrel roll, Apple Pencil hover, and Find My) and the Apple Pencil (USB-C).
- Design: The design remains largely the same as the iPad Mini 6, with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, slim bezels, and a USB-C port.
- Connectivity: It includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Cellular models support sub-6GHz 5G networks and now only offer eSIM options (no physical nano-SIM card slot).
- Storage: The base storage has been doubled to 128GB, with 256GB and 512GB options also available.
- Colors: It comes in Space Gray, Starlight, Blue, and Purple.
- Price: The starting price for the Wi-Fi version is $499.
While the iPad Mini 7 offers substantial internal upgrades, some reviews note that the exterior design is unchanged from the previous generation. It’s generally praised for its portability and power, making it a strong choice for those who value a compact device for entertainment and productivity on the go.
Key Takeaways
- The iPad mini 7 was released on October 23, 2024, following a quiet announcement on October 15.
- Apple equipped the new tablet with the A17 Pro chip, enabling Apple Intelligence features.
- The release came after a three-year gap between generations, confirming Apple’s continued support for the compact tablet format.
Anticipated Features of iPad Mini 7
The iPad Mini 7, released on October 23, 2024, brings significant upgrades to Apple’s compact tablet lineup with powerful new internals and enhanced accessory support. The device maintains its portable form factor while delivering substantial performance improvements.
A17 Pro Chip Performance
The iPad Mini 7 features Apple’s cutting-edge A17 Pro chip, representing a major leap in processing power from previous generations. This powerful processor enables the device to support Apple Intelligence features previously reserved for higher-end models.
The A17 Pro includes a 5-core GPU that delivers significantly improved graphics performance. This makes the Mini 7 more capable for gaming, creative applications, and multitasking than its predecessors.
Users will notice faster app loading times and smoother performance when switching between multiple applications. The enhanced chip also provides better energy efficiency, helping the iPad Mini 7 maintain its advertised all-day battery life despite the performance upgrades.
The A17 Pro enables advanced computational photography capabilities and support for more demanding professional applications that were previously challenging on the smaller iPad form factor.
Camera Innovations and Smart HDR 4
The iPad Mini 7 comes with improved camera systems that leverage the computational power of the A17 Pro chip. The cameras benefit from Smart HDR 4 technology, which enhances photo quality in challenging lighting conditions.
Smart HDR 4 helps deliver more natural-looking images with improved contrast and color accuracy. The technology is particularly effective at handling scenes with mixed lighting or high dynamic range.
The updated rear camera system captures sharper images and performs better in low-light situations compared to the previous generation. Video recording capabilities have also been enhanced, with improved stabilization and detail retention.
Front-facing camera improvements make video calls clearer and more natural-looking. These enhancements are particularly valuable as tablets are increasingly used for remote work and virtual meetings.
Design Evolution and Display Enhancements
The iPad Mini 7 maintains its compact dimensions at 7.69 inches by 5.3 inches with a slim 0.25-inch profile. It remains lightweight at 293 grams for the Wi-Fi model and 297 grams for the cellular version.
The device features a Liquid Retina display that offers improved brightness and color accuracy over previous generations. The screen continues to support wide color gamut and True Tone technology for a more natural viewing experience.
Apple has kept the all-screen design with minimal bezels, maximizing the display area while keeping the device compact enough for one-handed use. The power button still integrates Touch ID for secure authentication.
The iPad Mini 7 retains the USB-C port, offering faster data transfer speeds and compatibility with a wider range of accessories and peripherals. This connectivity option enhances the device’s versatility for productivity tasks.
Apple Pencil Pro Support and Haptic Feedback
One of the most significant upgrades to the iPad Mini 7 is support for the Apple Pencil Pro. This marks a notable improvement over the previous generation, which only supported the Apple Pencil 2nd generation.
The Apple Pencil Pro brings several advanced features to the Mini 7, including Apple Pencil Hover. This allows users to preview marks before making them on the screen, enhancing precision in drawing and note-taking applications.
The new pencil support includes haptic feedback, providing tactile responses that make digital writing and drawing feel more natural and responsive. Artists and note-takers will appreciate the improved precision and control.
Users can now perform more complex creative tasks on the compact iPad Mini thanks to these pencil enhancements. The combination of the A17 Pro chip and improved Apple Pencil support makes the iPad Mini 7 a more capable creative tool despite its small size.
Connectivity, Software, and Ecosystem Integration
The iPad Mini 7 brings significant improvements to connectivity options and software capabilities. Apple has focused on making the device more powerful while ensuring it works seamlessly with other products in their ecosystem.
Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Capabilities
The iPad Mini 7 comes equipped with Wi-Fi 6E technology, a major upgrade from previous generations. This new standard offers faster connection speeds and reduced latency, which is especially beneficial when streaming high-definition content or participating in video calls. Users can expect up to 2.4 Gbps maximum throughput in ideal conditions.
The device also features Bluetooth 5.3, providing more stable connections with wireless accessories. This latest Bluetooth version improves power efficiency, meaning connected devices like AirPods or the Apple Pencil will maintain battery life for longer periods.
The upgrade also enhances the range and reliability when connecting to accessories, reducing dropouts and interference issues that sometimes plagued earlier models.
iPadOS 18 Features and Apple Intelligence
The iPad Mini 7 comes with iPadOS 18 out of the box, optimized specifically for the A17 Pro chip. This combination enables the new Apple Intelligence features that Apple announced earlier this year. Users can expect smarter text suggestions, enhanced image recognition, and more contextual responses from Siri.
iPadOS 18 introduces improved multitasking capabilities that work well on the Mini’s compact screen. The Stage Manager feature has been refined to be more intuitive on smaller displays.
The system also includes privacy-focused updates, with more granular control over app permissions and data access. Apple Intelligence functions run primarily on-device rather than in the cloud, maintaining Apple’s commitment to user privacy.
Seamless Interaction with Other Apple Devices
The iPad Mini 7 integrates perfectly with the broader Apple ecosystem. The Handoff feature allows users to start tasks on their iPhone and finish them on their iPad Mini without interruption.
AirDrop has been enhanced to transfer files faster between devices. The iPad Mini 7 works as an extension of a Mac through the Universal Control feature, allowing users to move their cursor and files between devices effortlessly.
Find My integration helps users locate their iPad Mini 7 if misplaced. The feature works even when the device is offline through the Find My network, which leverages nearby Apple devices.
iMessage and FaceTime provide a consistent communication experience across all Apple devices, with new message effects and reactions available on the iPad Mini 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
The iPad Mini 7 launched in October 2024 after much anticipation. Here are answers to common questions about Apple’s newest compact tablet.
When was the iPad Mini 7 officially announced?
The iPad Mini 7 was officially announced in October 2024. Apple made the announcement and immediately opened pre-orders for the device.
The official release date was Wednesday, October 23, 2024, when the device became available to customers.
What is the expected price range for the new iPad Mini 7?
The iPad Mini 7 maintained a similar price structure to its predecessor. The base model starts at $499 for the Wi-Fi version.
Higher storage configurations and cellular models cost more, with prices increasing accordingly. The top configuration with maximum storage and cellular connectivity reaches approximately $799.
Are there any notable enhancements in the iPad Mini 7 compared to the previous generation?
The iPad Mini 7 comes with several significant upgrades over the 6th generation model. It features Apple’s newer processor, providing better performance and efficiency.
One major enhancement is its compatibility with Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI system for improved functionality.
The new model also addresses the “jelly scrolling” issue that affected some previous iPad Mini devices.
What are the anticipated improvements in display and refresh rate for the iPad Mini 7?
The iPad Mini 7 maintains a similar display size to its predecessor at 8.3 inches. However, it offers improved color accuracy and brightness.
While many hoped for ProMotion technology with 120Hz refresh rate, the iPad Mini 7 still uses a standard 60Hz display. This was a disappointment for some users who expected the higher refresh rate.
Can we expect the iPad Mini 7 to be released in all regions at the same time?
The iPad Mini 7 had a global release on October 23, 2024. Apple made the device available in major markets simultaneously.
However, some smaller markets may have experienced slight delays in availability due to shipping and distribution factors.
What are the latest reports on the battery life of the iPad Mini 7?
Reports indicate that the iPad Mini 7 offers improved battery life compared to its predecessor. Users typically experience 10-12 hours of regular use on a single charge.
The efficiency gains come from both the newer processor and optimizations in iPadOS. Many reviewers have noted that the device can last a full day of moderate to heavy use.
Fast charging capabilities allow the device to recharge more quickly when using compatible charging accessories.
