History of IPad Mini in Timeline

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IPad Mini

The iPad Mini is a smaller version of the iPad tablet computer, developed by Apple Inc. It features screen sizes of 7.9 or 8.3 inches. The first generation iPad Mini, announced in October 2012 and released in November 2012, shared internal specifications, including display resolution, with the iPad 2. It is part of the iPad line of tablets.

October 16, 2012: Apple Announces Media Event

On October 16, 2012, Apple announced plans for a media event to be held on October 23. The company did not reveal the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to be the iPad Mini announcement. Tim Cook introduced a new version of the MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

October 23, 2012: First-generation iPad Mini announcement

On October 23, 2012, the first-generation iPad Mini was announced. This marked the introduction of a smaller tablet to Apple's iPad line, featuring a 7.9-inch screen and internal specifications similar to the iPad 2.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

November 2, 2012: First-generation iPad Mini Release

On November 2, 2012, the first-generation iPad Mini was released in nearly all of Apple's markets, making the new smaller tablet available to consumers.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

October 22, 2013: iPad Mini 2 Announcement

On October 22, 2013, Apple announced the iPad Mini 2, which featured an A7 processor and a Retina display.

November 12, 2013: iPad Mini 2 Release

On November 12, 2013, Apple released the iPad Mini 2, featuring an A7 processor and a Retina display, to the public.

October 16, 2014: iPad Mini 3 Announcement

On October 16, 2014, Apple announced the iPad Mini 3.

October 22, 2014: iPad Mini 3 Release

On October 22, 2014, Apple released the iPad Mini 3 alongside the iPad Air 2. The iPad Mini 3 featured the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.

Apple IPad Air 2 WI-FI 64GB Space Gray (Renewed)
Apple IPad Air 2 WI-FI 64GB Space Gray (Renewed)

June 8, 2015: iOS 9 Support for iPad Mini Generations

On June 8, 2015, at the WWDC, it was announced that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. However, certain new multitasking features, such as Slide Over and Picture in Picture, would be limited to the second, third, and fourth generation. Split View, another new multitasking feature, is only available on the iPad Mini 4.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

September 9, 2015: iPad Mini 4 Release

On September 9, 2015, Apple released the iPad Mini 4, which was described as a smaller version of the iPad Air 2.

Apple iPad Mini 4, 128GB, Space Gray - WiFi (Renewed)
Apple iPad Mini 4, 128GB, Space Gray - WiFi (Renewed)

March 18, 2019: Fifth-generation iPad Mini Release

On March 18, 2019, Apple released the fifth-generation iPad Mini with support for the Apple Pencil.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

September 14, 2021: Sixth-generation iPad Mini Announcement

On September 14, 2021, the sixth-generation iPad Mini was announced alongside the ninth-generation iPad. The new iPad Mini featured a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port, top button with Touch ID, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

September 24, 2021: Sixth-generation iPad Mini Release

On September 24, 2021, Apple released the sixth-generation iPad Mini and the ninth-generation iPad. The new iPad Mini featured a larger 8.3-inch full-screen display, USB-C port, top button with Touch ID, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

October 15, 2024: Seventh-generation iPad Mini Announcement

On October 15, 2024, Apple announced the seventh-generation iPad Mini in a press release, featuring a near identical design to the sixth-generation model and coming with a more powerful A17 Pro chipset.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)

October 23, 2024: Seventh-generation iPad Mini Release

On October 23, 2024, Apple released the seventh-generation iPad Mini. The seventh-generation iPad Mini features a near identical design to the sixth-generation, coming with a more powerful A17 Pro chipset. It supports the Apple Pencil Pro, but drops support for the second-generation Pencil.

2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)
2021 Apple iPad Mini 6 (8.3 inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed)