What are all the differences between the iPad mini A17 Pro (iPad 7) models?

There are three iPad mini A17 Pro (iPad 7th Gen) models released in 2024 -- the iPad mini A17 Pro (Wi-Fi Only), iPad mini A17 Pro (Wi-Fi/Cell), and iPad mini A17 Pro (Wi-Fi/Cell China). These models vary by the location sold, connectivity, battery life, identifiers, and price.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad mini A17 Pro - Blue & Purple)

Device Similarities

All iPad mini A17 Pro models use the same design with a black glass buttonless front, rounded corners, and flat sides, and weigh about 2/3 of a pound. Back color options for the aluminum housing include a dark "Space Gray," warm gray "Starlight," Blue, and Purple.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPad mini A17 Pro - Color Options)

Each iPad mini A17 Pro model shares the same fully-laminated 8.3" LED-backlit 2266x1488 "Liquid Retina" display (326 ppi, 500 nits brightness), with an antireflectant coating, wide-color (P3) support, and True Tone technology. Each also is powered by the same 3.78 GHz Apple A17 Pro processor with six CPU cores, five GPU cores, a 16-core "Neural Engine", 8 GB of RAM, and support for 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) and Bluetooth 5.3. All three models are offered with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of internal storage, as well.

All iPad mini A17 Pro models also have a "Touch ID" fingerprint sensor embedded in the top button, two cameras -- a 12 megapixel 1080p "Ultra Wide" front camera and a 12 megapixel "Wide" 4K rear camera -- a USB-C port and a magnetic connector on the side. This magnetic connector supports both the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), but only the Apple Pencil Pro is capable of magnetic charging.

iPadOS Support Similarities

The iPad mini A17 Pro models first shipped with iPadOS 18 and fully support the Apple Intelligence (AI) feature.

Identification Differences

When next to each other, the Wi-Fi only and cellular iPad mini A17 Pro models can be differentiated visually because the Wi-Fi only model has a solid aluminum back and the cellular capable models have a subtle line at the top of the back of each tablet.

However, it is not possible to visually distinguish between the two cellular-capable iPad mini A17 Pro tablets and it is easy to mix up the iPad mini A17 Pro with other iPad mini models, as well. Accordingly, one of the best methods for external identification is via Model Number.

Model numbers are listed in small type toward the bottom of the back of each iPad mini A17 Pro:

iPad mini	Model No
iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen (Wi-Fi Only)	A2993
iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cell)	A2995
iPad mini A17 Pro - 7th Gen (Wi-Fi/Cell China)	A2996

Initially, the mainland China-only iPad mini A17 Pro likely will not be found on the outside of the great firewall, but over time, it inevtably will bounce around the globe on the used market.

All iPad models can be differentiated by other identifiers as well, such as the Order Number, which can be located by selecting the Settings app and pressing General > About and scrolling down to what is specified as "Model" within the iPadOS. For example, the Wi-Fi+Cellular configuration of the iPad mini A17 Pro in blue with 512 GB of storage sold in the United States is MYHD3LL/A.

To pinpoint an exact iPad mini A17 Pro by a variety of other different identifiers, please refer to the Ultimate iLookup feature.

Connectivity & Battery Life Differences

As noted at the start of this Q&A, the iPad mini A17 Pro models have significant differences in connectivity. All iPad mini A17 Pro models support 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E) with 2x2 MIMO, simultaneous dual band. They support Bluetooth 5.3, too.

All cellular-capable iPad mini A17 Pro models support A-GPS as well as UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC‑HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz), but 4G LTE and 5G cellular connectivity varies accordingly:

iPad mini	Model	5G & 4G LTE Bands
A17 Pro (Wi-Fi Only)	A2993	None
A17 Pro (Wi-Fi/Cell)	A2995	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71
A17 Pro (Wi-Fi/Cell China)	A2996	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n14, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n38, n40, n41, n48, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71

For battery life, Apple estimates that all iPad mini A17 Pro models provide up to ten hours of runtime on Wi-Fi whereas the cellular-equipped ones provide up to nine hours of runtime while using a cellular network.

Regardless of country, all cellular-capable iPad mini A17 Pro models ship unlocked and support eSIM; they do not support a physical Nano SIM (even in mainland China). In the United States, the applicable device works with all major carriers, but some carriers may still require activation or configuration before it will work properly -- or at all -- on their network.

Pricing Comparison Chart

All iPad mini A17 Pro color options cost the same amount. Pricing is differentiated by capacity and connectivity alone:

Capacity:	128 GB	256 GB	512 GB
Wi-Fi Only Price:	US$499	US$599	US$799
Wi-Fi/Cellular & A-GPS Price:	US$649	US$749	US$949

For original pricing details in dozens of other countries, please refer to the iPad specs page for the device of interest as well as EveryiPad.com's Global Original Prices section.

Comparison Summary

Ultimately, the iPad mini A17 Pro models are differentiated from one another by connectivity and battery life. The iPad mini A17 Pro models are definitely of solid quality and capability and are the best option if you place greatest importance on small physical size for an Apple tablet. They are the smallest new Apple tablets available.

Just between the iPad mini A17 Pro Wi-Fi and cellular options, and ignoring other models, EveryiPad.com typically does not think the extra US$150 for cellular capability is worth it. We find that it works fine to just tether the iPad to another cellular device in the uncommon moments that we are on the go, need to use a tablet, and Wi-Fi isn't available.

The upgrade from Wi-Fi to cellular also adds a monthly service cost in many cases and probably isn't worth the extra expense if you usually use a tablet in your Wi-Fi equipped home, office, and coffee shop. Your usage needs may vary, though, and you might find the cellular option to be worth it to you.

iPad mini Purchase & Sale Options

There are plenty of places to buy a new or used iPad mini. However, purchasing from a quality company with extensive Apple knowledge -- and after sales support -- will provide the ideal experience and save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new iPad mini models with free shipping. Other World Computing sells used and refurb iPad mini models at bargain prices with free shipping, as well. Finally, if you need to sell an iPad, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPad with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs has a large number of used and refurbished iPad models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK.

Please also see EveryiPad.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPad model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.