The iPad mini (2024) is officially here, and early benchmarks from Geekbench are painting a picture of a device with significant performance gains. While it certainly surpasses the previous generation iPad mini (2021), the iPhone 15 Pro still holds a slight edge in certain areas.
The new iPad mini, powered by the Apple A17 Pro chipset, is a powerhouse. Geekbench reveals impressive single-core scores ranging from 2,710 to 2,840, and multi-core scores reaching 6,274 to 6,982. This is a major leap compared to the iPad mini (2021) which averaged 2,121 for single-core and 5,367 for multi-core performance. However, the iPhone 15 Pro, also equipped with the A17 Pro chipset, achieves slightly better results, averaging around 2,888 in single-core and 7,169 in multi-core tests. This slight difference is likely due to the iPad mini’s five-core GPU compared to the iPhone 15 Pro’s six-core GPU.
While the difference in performance might not be noticeable for everyday tasks, gamers might perceive a slight variation, especially in graphically demanding games. However, the iPad mini has a significant advantage when it comes to RAM. This new model boasts a generous 8GB of RAM, doubling the 4GB found in its predecessor. This upgrade not only ensures smooth multitasking but also enables the iPad mini to support Apple Intelligence, the company’s upcoming AI toolkit. Apple Intelligence is expected to roll out in phases this month through software updates, bringing a wave of new AI-powered features to supported devices.
Beyond the performance enhancements, the iPad mini (2024) comes with other exciting upgrades, including more storage options and a fresh new Blue color. However, some features remain unchanged, such as the 8.3-inch display and the familiar camera system. If you’re looking to purchase the latest iPad mini, it is available for preorder starting at $499. It’s the third iPad Apple has updated this year, following the spring releases of the iPad Air (2024) and iPad Pro (2024). Only the regular iPad is waiting for a 2024 update, with the last refresh occurring in October 2022.
So, the iPad mini (2024) is a compelling update with performance improvements and AI capabilities, but if you’re after the absolute top performance, the iPhone 15 Pro might still be the champion. It’s a testament to the continuing evolution of Apple’s mobile devices, offering a range of options to meet various user needs.