Retina iPad Mini Has 1.3 GHz A7 Processor With 5X the Performance of the Original Mini - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Retina iPad Mini Has 1.3 GHz A7 Processor With 5X the Performance of the Original Mini

Apple's new Retina iPad mini includes the same 64-bit A7 chip used in the iPad Air and the iPhone 5s, which offers significantly better performance than the A5 chip found in the original iPad mini.

According to new Geekbench 3 benchmarks, the Retina iPad mini is running at 1.3Ghz, much like the iPhone 5s. The iPad Air, however, clocks in at 1.4Ghz, giving it a slight performance edge over both the iPhone 5s and the new mini.

ipad_mini_retina_geekbench
The Retina iPad mini scored a 1390 on the single-core test and a 2512 on the multi-core test, which was similar to the iPhone 5s score of 1399/2523, and lower than the iPad Air at 1466/2856. Compared to the 261/493 score of the original mini, the Retina iPad mini marks an incredible boost in performance speeds.

It is unclear why the mini is clocked at 1.3Ghz instead of 1.4Ghz like the iPad Air, but in terms of real world usage, users are unlikely to notice the small speed differences. It is possible that Apple chose the lower clock speed in the iPad mini to improve overall battery life or to reduce heat within the smaller chassis.

Apple's Retina iPad mini went on sale last night at midnight and is currently still available from the Apple Online Store and in Apple retail locations via Personal Pickup.

Related Roundup: iPad mini
Buyer's Guide: iPad Mini (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday April 15, 2026 8:15 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in code...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

Apple to Upgrade These Two Devices With OLED Displays Later This Year

Friday April 17, 2026 7:49 am PDT by
Apple plans to release iPad mini and MacBook Pro models with OLED displays this year, according to industry sources who spoke to South Korea's ETNews. The current iPad mini and MacBook Pro models have LCD displays with either LED or mini-LED backlighting. The move to OLED technology would result in improved image quality, thanks to richer colors and higher contrast ratio with true blacks. ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...

Top Rated Comments

gnasher729 Avatar
163 months ago
Agreed. I don't understand why people keep saying one is better than the other. It simply comes down to an individual's needs/preferences.

Half the people want the Mini because it's smaller.
Half the people want the Air because it's bigger.

And they all think the other half is stupid. :mad:
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
163 months ago
Got an Air already ummm
In the end, for me, I think the Air's screen size suits my need more…

I think the mini is great for the girls though!

Nice try to justify what you just bought while you realize you bought the wrong product. ;)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citi Avatar
163 months ago
Air > mini

in more ways than one

Why is this even a competition? At the end of the day they are both fantastic devices.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
163 months ago
It has 1 GB......

Your example only works when the iPad fails to perform. It is performing well at every app that designed for it.

Are you coming from the android or windows camp where stuff are grossly unoptimized and required so much RAM to run?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
163 months ago
I just went over to the Apple store and compared the Retina to the non-retina....lordy what a difference.

The Mini Retina is going to sell like crazy if they can make enough.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
163 months ago
Hey what's all this Air vs Retina Mini trash talk?? :confused:
What ever happened to bashing Android? :D

There is absolutely no right answer to "Is an Air or Mini better?".

Think about it.. All of the thinking that goes on in making this decision.. Some people own laptops, some own MacBook Airs, while some only own a desktop. Some travel and/or commute a lot, some don't at all. Some like to read a lot, some like to play games instead. Some are used to their iPad 1, or 2. Some are used to their old mini.

There are just so many variables, many more that I haven't even touched on, that it really is such a personal choice.
Not only is there not a right answer, but your opinion doesn't really mean much in something like this because of how personal it is.

To each his own, whichever you choose, it is still an amazing new iPad running iOS 7 :)
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Related Apple News: 2024 Ipad Mini Vs 2026 Ipad Air | Iphone 18 Pro | Govee Chromatic String Lights | Culture | Mac Mini