Apple’s silicon innovation has been remarkably impactful on the Mac lineup, notably with the introduction of the latest M4 models. However, an unexpected showcase of Apple’s silicon prowess can be seen in the new iPad mini 7.
New iPad mini was anticipated to feature an A18 chip over the A17 Pro
The iPad mini 7 launched last month following a wave of speculation about its release. One of its standout features, support for Apple Intelligence, was nearly certain based on earlier rumors.
Yet, the manner in which AI support was integrated could be considered the device’s most unexpected aspect.
While many expected the new iPad mini to be equipped with the A18 chip, it instead came with the A17 Pro.
There were two primary reasons why the A18 was anticipated for the mini:
- It had the specifications necessary to support Apple Intelligence.
- The other potential option was assumed to be out of contention.
The A17 Pro chip, which powered last year’s iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, was seen as the alternative.
Apple could have opted for an M-series chip for the iPad mini, but this was considered unlikely given that previous models typically utilized iPhone-grade chips.
So why was the A17 Pro dismissed as a contender? The challenges surrounding Apple’s debut 3-nanometer fabrication process played a substantial role.
In short, the A17 Pro was produced using a new process that posed significant issues for Apple, leading to costs and inefficiencies that were less than satisfactory for the company.
Consequently, Apple quickly transitioned to a new and refined second-generation process, which was unveiled alongside the M4 chip in May.
This rapid shift from M3 to M4 can also be attributed to the complications faced with the initial 3-nm process.
Therefore, many were surprised to see the iPad mini 7 launch with an A17 Pro chip.
Unexpected A17 Pro demonstrates the strength of Apple’s silicon
However, it’s essential to note that Apple is likely not manufacturing new A17 Pro chips at this moment.
Instead, the company is repurposing existing stock from last year’s iPhones for this new device.
There are two main pieces of evidence for this:
- The iPad mini seems to use a binned version of the previous A17 Pro chip, which has one less GPU core.
- The mini is a relatively niche product within Apple’s lineup.
Apple produces millions of new iPhones annually, and it so happens that this past year saw its top-selling models made using a process that resulted in several below-spec chips (missing one GPU core).
From Apple’s perspective, while these chips may not have met the benchmark for the flagship iPhone 15 Pro, they still represent a significant enhancement for the iPad mini.
In this way, Apple effectively utilized already manufactured chips, which were rejected for its top-tier product, and integrated them into the iPad mini, providing a substantial enhancement.
The iPad mini 7 is undeniably a powerful improvement, featuring the same Apple Intelligence capabilities as its AI-compatible counterparts.
Furthermore, the missing GPU core does not hinder performance. Apple manages to save costs while still offering users an impressive chip.
This means the iPad mini stands out as strong evidence of Apple’s current supremacy in the silicon industry.
What are your thoughts on Apple using the A17 Pro in the iPad mini? Share your opinions in the comments.
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