iPad mini
The iPad mini is the tablet you’re looking for if you want a bigger screen than your iPhone for things like reading news, books, playing games, and enjoying social media. When compared to all other iPads, the iPad mini is cost-effective and offers first-generation Apple Pencil support.
Table of contents
History
The iPad mini was first introduced in October of 2012. Back in the keynote, this iPad contrasted with the standard model: 9.7 inches for the base model, 7.9 inches for the mini one. “Easy to remember,” Apple said at the time.
One year later, in 2013, the company gave this iPad a minor upgrade with the A7 processor and a Retina display. Only in 2014, with the iPad mini 3, Apple introduced the Touch ID on this tablet while adding support for Apple Pay.
Alongside the first iPad Pro, the iPad mini 4 was announced in September of 2015, but with the iPhone 6s and a new Apple TV also presented at this keynote, the iPad mini 4 was overshadowed. It received an A8 processor and its first redesign with a slightly taller and wider body than the previous models.
When everyone thought Apple wouldn’t launch another iPad mini, the company released the fifth-generation in March of 2019. This was the most significant update for the mini line, with a major processor upgrade and the first-generation Apple Pencil support.
iPad mini Specs
The fifth-generation iPad mini has the same 7.9-inch Retina display it already had on the previous model, but now with TrueTone support. With the A12 Bionic chip, the same as the iPhone XS, the tablet is three times faster than its predecessor. You also get 3GB of RAM and 64GB and 256GB storage options.
It has an 8MP main camera that can record up to 1080p and a 7MP FaceTime camera that can record videos in Full HD.
The fifth-generation also brought support for the first-generation Apple Pencil. The mini 5 is the only iPad in line that doesn’t support the Smart Keyboard. Apple offers third-part wireless keyboard options for the customers who want to type with a proper keyboard.
It’s available in three colors: Space Grey, Silver, and Gold. You can choose between the Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular models. This iPad offers an “all-day battery life” with 10-hour support and has a Lightning port for charging.
iPadOS 14.6
The fifth-generation iPad mini runs iPadOS 14.6 In iPadOS 14, Apple introduced some great features for the tablet, for example:
- Redesigned widgets
- New enhanced sidebars
- Faster search
- Compact calls
- Scribble, which convert handwriting in text
- Apple Pencil brings scratch to delete, circle to select, shape recognition, and data detectors
iPadOS 14.5, for example, brought:
- App Tracking Transparency, the user can choose whether to be tracked across apps or not
- Siri improvements, with two new additional voices
- 200+ new emojis
- Podcasts Show Pages are redesigned to make it easier to start listening.
iPadOS 14.6, on the other hand, brings Podcasts subscriptions, Shazam as an App Clip, and prepares for the Apple Music Lossless launch.
Only the fourth and fifth-generation can run iPadOS 14. Currently, Apple is testing iPadOS 14.7 beta.
iPadOS 15 features
Right now, Apple is developing the next big software update to the iPad mini, with iPadOS 15.
The upcoming operating system will bring a redesigned Home Screen with widgets and App Library support.
On iPadOS 15, FaceTime group calls can finally appear in a grid, so it’s easier to see everyone. It’s also possible to share your screen, listen to Apple Music songs together, or watch Apple TV+, HBO Max, Disney+, and others while in a call.
In the productivity section, Apple unfortunately didn’t bring all features pro users wanted to take full advantage of their new M1 iPad Pro, even though Apple made it easier to rely on multitasking features.
With the Quick Note feature, users can use the Apple Pencil to add a quick note. They just need to slide the pencil through the bottom right corner to the center of the screen and start writing.
iPadOS 15 is currently on beta 2. Learn more about it here.
Pricing
The fifth-generation iPad mini pricing starts at $399 for the 64GB storage option with Wi-Fi only. The prices can go up to $679 with the 256GB storage option and Wi-Fi + Cellular. Here are the full prices of the fifth-generation mini Apple sells:
- 64GB with Wi-Fi: $399
- 64GB with Wi-Fi + Cellular: $529
- 256GB with Wi-Fi: $549
- 256GB with Wi-Fi + Cellular: $679
Lower prices may be available from Apple’s official Amazon store.
iPad mini Review
In our review of the fifth-generation iPad mini, we described it as a “portable powerhouse.”
Until Apple decides to make a folding tablet, the best you can do from a portability standpoint is the iPad mini. If portability is the most important factor in your eyes, then there’s nothing more that needs to be said, the mini 5 is the tablet for you. However, if portability isn’t at the top of your list, then you’ll need to decide between the 9.7-inch iPad and the iPad Air 3. In that case, the deciding factor should boil down to performance versus price.
Although the design of this iPad looks a bit outdated in 2019, it’s still by far the best small-form-factor tablet on the market. And now with the added performance of the A12 Bionic chip, it’s not just portable — it’s a portable powerhouse.
Deals
Over at 9to5Toys, you can find the best deals on the iPad mini and other Apple products. Download the 9to5Toys iPhone app to receive push notifications for new deals as well.
Rumors
The sixth-generation iPad mini is rumored to launch in the second half of 2021, according to reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.
Ming-Chi Kuo has previously said that Apple is working on a new form factor iPad mini with a 9-inch display. It is optimistically expected to look like a smaller version of the iPad Air, reducing screen bezels and moving Touch ID to the side button. Japanese publication Macotakara has said that the new iPad mini will feature an 8.4-inch display, up from the current generation’s 7.9-inch size.
