If Apple truly cannot shrink the bezels of the iPad Mini down any more, then maybe it could put them to good use. Embedding the stereo speaker system into the bezels would allow for front firing sound rather than side-firing, which should be an obvious improvement for watching content without headphones.

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.

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.