The new iPad Mini packs more power and storage — as well as a slew of Apple Intelligence features — into the same great ultra-portable design.

A new iPad Mini was expected by the end of the year, and much like we predicted, Apple delivered one. Not a lot has changed in terms of design, but the new Mini has an A17 Pro chip that can handle soon-to-launch generative AI-based Apple Intelligence features, as well as Pencil Pro compatibility.

The new iPad Mini, an updated version of the ultra-portable tablet computer from Apple that features several hardware and software improvements, including the A17 Pro chip, Apple Pencil Pro support, and Apple Intelligence—Apple's AI—is now available for pre-order ahead of its release on October 23 at a starting price of $499,

The seventh-generation iPad mini looks mostly identical to the sixth-generation version, with a power-button-mounted Touch ID sensor and a slim-bezeled display. But Apple has swapped out the A15 Bionic chip for the Apple A17 Pro,

The timing of the new release has taken many by surprise. Apple’s smallest iPad has a faster processor, more storage and support for Apple Intelligence.