In a surprise during its “California Streaming” virtual event this morning (Sep 15, 1am, Singapore Time), Apple announced a new 8.3-inch iPad mini and refreshed iPad.
The new iPad mini is practically a smaller version of iPad Pro with its re-design featuring flat sides and thinner bezels.
It has the same form factor of the previous iPad mini but features a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display that comes with 500-nit peak brightness, P3 wide colour gamut, True Tone and anti-reflective screen coating. The new tablet also uses USB-C for faster data transfer and boasts 5G connectivity.
In addition, the front Touch ID is gone. Instead, it is being moved to the top button of the iPad mini. Plus, it now supports 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, which can be attached magnetically to the side of the iPad mini for pairing and wireless charging.
Furthermore, the iPad mini uses the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 series. Thus, this mini tablet has a 40 per cent jump in performance, and an 80 per cent leap in graphics performance compared to the previous generation.
Not to mention, the new iPad mini now features a 12-megapixel front-facing camera that supports Centre Stage, a feature from iPad Pro which automatically puts you in the middle of frame wherever you are. This is a heaven-send in this age of video conferencing.
Available in colours of pink, starlight, purple, and space grey as well as 64GB and 256GB storage, you can start ordering the new iPad mini now at Apple Store. Prices start from S$749 for Wi-Fi models and S$979 for cellular models, and the iPad mini will be available next Friday (Sep 24).
At the same time, the “most popular” iPad gets a refresh with a faster A13 Bionic chip, a 10.2-inch TrueTone display as well as support for the 1st-generation Apple Pencil.
This 9th-generation iPad also comes with a new front-facing 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, which supports Centre Stage too.
Like the iPad mini, the new iPad will be available – in two colours of silver and space grey – next Friday (Sep 24) and comes in two storage options of 64GB and 256GB. Prices start at S$499 for Wi-Fi versions and S$699 for the cellular models. You can order it now at Apple Store.
