// 9TO5MAC — MOBILE & WEB
New iPad mini has big limitation on all but one model
Today Apple unveiled its biggest update to the iPad mini yet, but if you’re looking to buy one, there’s a key limitation of the A20 Pro chip in every configuration but one.
Apple’s new iPad mini comes with significant upgrades like the larger display, thinner design, OLED display, and a powerful A20 Pro chip.
But if you’re interested in buying the iPad mini, not all models are created equal.
In fact, every configuration except the highest 512GB model includes a less powerful, binned A20 Pro chip.
According to Apple’s tech specs page, here’s the breakdown of the A20 Pro across different storage configurations.
It’s not unusual for Apple to use binned chips at times in its products. But in most cases, the only drawback of those chips is having one less CPU or GPU core.
With iPad mini, you not only lose a CPU core, you also don’t get the Dual 16-core Neural Engine.
That feature is exclusive to high-end 512GB models. So both the 128GB and 256GB models—the majority of configurations—have only a 16-core Neural Engine.
With 60Hz, the iPad Mini has a limitation on ALL models.
It’s a significant limitation, and especially unfortunate since it applies to most models that Apple will sell.