The new iPad mini uses Apple’s N1 wireless chip for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread, and the cellular models get the C2 modem. Apple says the C2 delivers up to 50 percent faster cellular data speeds than the previous iPad mini.
Apple announced the iPad mini on Monday, and it ships on Friday, November 6. The N1 chip made its debut in the iPhone, where Apple’s N1 chip brought the same Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread support.
The N1 Chip Brings Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread to Every iPad Mini
N1 is an Apple-designed wireless networking chip that sits in every iPad mini model. It supports Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2×2 MIMO and simultaneous dual band, along with Bluetooth 6 and Thread home networking.
Apple says N1 improves performance on 5GHz Wi-Fi networks and the reliability of features like AirDrop and AirPlay. AirPlay mirrors up to 4K to an Apple TV (2nd generation or later) or an AirPlay-enabled smart TV, and Wi-Fi 7 works only in countries and regions where it is supported.
The C2 Modem Brings Up to 50 Percent Faster Cellular Data Speeds
Wi-Fi + Cellular models use Apple’s C2 cellular modem, which supports 5G on sub-6 GHz bands with 4×4 MIMO and Gigabit LTE with 4×4 MIMO. Apple says it is up to 50 percent faster than the previous iPad mini while using less power.
iPadOS 27 also makes moving between cellular and Wi-Fi smoother, so a FaceTime call can continue while you are in transit. Apple rates the cellular models for up to 9 hours of web browsing on a cellular data network.
5G is available only in select markets and through select carriers, and speeds vary with site conditions and the carrier. A data plan is required for any cellular connection, and the C2 is not in every new Apple device, since the iPhone 18 Pro Max in the US uses a Qualcomm modem instead.
Cellular Models Use eSIM Only and Start at $849
Wi-Fi + Cellular models use eSIM and are not compatible with physical SIM cards. An eSIM lets you add a plan or transfer an existing one digitally, though not all carriers support it.
The cellular models are data only and also support Wi-Fi calling, and calls from a nearby iPhone can be relayed through the Phone app. Apple tells buyers of model A3596 to check with their carrier about eSIM and buyers of model A3597 to contact China Unicom.
Only the Wi-Fi + Cellular models add GPS and GNSS location, which the Wi-Fi models do not have. The Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad mini starts at $849 in the US, which is $150 above the $699 Wi-Fi model, and US buyers can also finance it through a carrier.
