Apple Launches iPad Mini with A17 Pro Chip, Introducing New AI Features
The recent launch of the seventh-generation iPad mini comes with significant upgrades, particularly appealing to users engaged in demanding professional applications such as video editing and those who play graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact.
However, the timing of this release raises eyebrows. Last year, when the A17 Pro was introduced, it was the first Apple chip to support the forthcoming Apple Intelligence AI features, which are anticipated to launch shortly after the new iPad mini arrives on store shelves.
Currently, the iPad Pro operates on Apple’s M4 chip, which is also utilized in the latest Macs, while the iPad Air is powered by the M2 chip. The introduction of the A17 Pro to the iPad mini indicates that the base model iPad, still running on the aging A14 chip, will be the only model unable to support Apple Intelligence, although this may change in the near future.
The Apple Intelligence features were initially announced for iOS and iPadOS 18. Following recent updates to these operating systems, the release of these features has been delayed to subsequent versions, with iOS 18.1 launching next week and iOS 18.2 expected by year-end.
Apple Intelligence encompasses various new software capabilities utilizing generative AI technologies, such as large language models. These features are designed to enhance user experience by summarizing emails and notifications, assisting in writing corrections, providing more contextually aware responses from Siri, and even generating images or emojis for use in messages.
In a similar vein to the iPhone 16 review, where the focus remained on current functionalities rather than unlaunched features, the same approach is applied here. It is crucial to evaluate devices based on their present utility instead of speculative advancements.