Apple on Tuesday unveiled its latest iPad mini, featuring AI enhancements like advanced writing tools and an improved Siri assistant, as part of the company’s push to integrate more AI capabilities into its devices.

The new iPad mini is powered by Apple’s A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models. With the A17 Pro chip, the iPad mini promises improved performance and versatility, including support for the Apple Pencil Pro.

Starting at $499, the iPad mini is now available for pre-order, with deliveries set to begin next week, Apple said on its website.

Equipped with a six-core CPU, the A17 Pro boosts performance by 30% over the current generation, making it central to powering Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI software. Apple will introduce the first wave of AI features this month via a software update to iPadOS 18.1 for devices with A17 Pro or M1 chips, with more features like image generation, Genmoji, and ChatGPT-powered capabilities to follow in the coming months.

Apple iPad Mini (Credit: Apple)

The new iPad mini maintains its popular portable design, now available in four finishes, including new shades of blue and purple. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display offers a vivid visual experience, while the A17 Pro chip ensures the device can handle even the most demanding tasks with a faster CPU, GPU, and a Neural Engine that’s twice as fast as the previous iPad mini.

With Apple Pencil Pro support, the iPad mini is set to unlock new productivity and creative possibilities. Its 12MP rear camera includes Smart HDR 4 for enhanced photo quality and can automatically scan documents using machine learning.

The device offers all-day battery life and runs on iPadOS 18. Priced from $499, the new iPad mini provides 128GB of storage—double that of the previous model—delivering great value in a compact package. Customers can pre-order now, with availability starting October 23.

“There’s nothing quite like the iPad mini,” said Bob Borchers, Apple’s VP of Worldwide Product Marketing. “Loved for its powerful performance and ultra-portability, it now comes with Apple Intelligence, providing smart features that are both powerful and private. With the A17 Pro chip, faster connectivity, and Apple Pencil Pro support, the iPad mini delivers the full iPad experience in our most portable design at a great value.”

Painting with iPad Mini (Credit: Apple)

One key feature of the new iPad Mini is Writing Tools, which allows users to easily refine their text across various apps, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and even third-party applications. With these tools, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize their writing almost anywhere they type.

Siri is also getting a significant upgrade. It now features a sleek new design with a glowing light around the screen’s edge when activated. With enhanced language understanding, Siri communicates more naturally and can handle requests even if users stumble over their words. Siri maintains context between requests, allowing for a more fluid interaction, and now supports text input. Additionally, Siri is equipped with more product knowledge to answer questions about iPad features and other Apple devices.

In Photos, the Memories feature has been enhanced to let users create custom movies by simply typing a description. The new Clean Up tool helps users remove unwanted objects from photo backgrounds while keeping the subject intact.

In the coming months, more Apple Intelligence features will be released, including:

  • Image Playground, which lets users create fun images in seconds using apps like Freeform.
  • Image Wand, a new tool within the Apple Pencil palette, allows users to turn rough sketches into polished images effortlessly.
  • Genmoji, where users can create custom emojis by typing a description or uploading a photo of a friend or family member.

Siri is also evolving to offer more personalized insights, drawing from a user’s content and activities across Apple and third-party apps to provide tailored actions.

Additionally, ChatGPT integration within iPadOS 18 will give users access to powerful AI capabilities directly within Siri and Writing Tools. ChatGPT can analyze images and documents without needing to switch apps. Privacy is a priority—requests made via ChatGPT will not store users’ IP addresses, and users can access its features without needing to create an account.

This new wave of features marks a significant leap in enhancing user productivity, creativity, and convenience across the iPad ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Apple’s recent unveiling of its AI-enhanced iPhone 16 lineup in September was met with mixed reactions from investors, as AI features remain in testing phases. However, Reuters reported that research firm Canalys expects the iPhone 16 to boost Apple’s fourth-quarter sales and drive growth into 2025, following record-high shipments in the third quarter.