As expected, Apple's "California Streaming" was loaded with a flurry of announcements, from the iPhone 13 to the Apple Watch Series 7. Apple also used its annual showcase to showcase its latest tablets, in particular the ninth-generation iPad and the all-new iPad Mini, the latter following on from the 2019 iPad Mini which draws heavily from last year's iPad Air. The new models are slated to launch on Friday, September 24, starting at $329 and $499, respectively, and pre-orders have already launched at multiple retailers.
We'll have reviews for both models in the near future, however, if you're looking to pick up Apple's latest tablets ahead of release, you have a few options to consider.
Specs-wise, the new iPad Mini is a far cry from the original iPad Mini model and one of the biggest redesigns to come for Apple's smallest tablet since its debut in 2012. The sixth-generation model features slimmer bezels, an A15 Bionic chip, and a larger 8.3-inch screen. Like the iPad Air, the upcoming tablet also ditches the aging home button, adds USB-C support, and integrates a Touch ID sensor into the top-mounted power button. It also supports 5G and Wi-Fi 6, works with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and has a 12MP ultra-wide camera on the front, enabling the same Center Stage functionality introduced by Apple. with the iPad Pro last year. Plus, like the ninth-generation iPad, it comes with iPadOS 15.
The latest iPad Mini is available in two different storage configurations, 64GB and 256GB, and in four colors (purple, pink, starlight, and space gray). The 64GB configuration is $499 and the 256GB model $649; both models are available for pre-order on Apple, as well as Amazon, Walmart, B&H, Best Buy, and Target with shipments expected before the tablet's launch on Friday, September 24.
