Apple’s premium small tablet offers the full modern iPad experience in a compact form, now even faster for 2024 with support for new accessories and upcoming AI features.
The design of the refreshed iPad mini in 2021 was outstanding, so it’s no surprise that Apple mostly maintained it while making changes under the hood and tweaks on the sides to accommodate new accessories. Although smaller, the new iPad mini still comes at a high price, starting at £499 (€599 / $499 / AU$799), compared to the base model iPad starting at £329 and the 11-inch iPad Air starting at £599.
The new tablet resembles a smaller version of the iPad Air, retaining the same 8.9-inch LCD display as its predecessor, with a low-glare coating that is sharp, bright, and easy to use outdoors. The “jelly scroll” screen effect that was present in previous versions has been improved, but can still be noticed with close observation.
Enjoy top-notch audio and visuals with the tablet’s excellent stereo speakers. Its ultra-thin body, weighing less than 300g, and width similar to an A5 paper pad make the iPad mini incredibly convenient to hold, use, and carry.
Its pocketable size makes it ideal for quick notes, video playback, or reading Kindle books while on the go or in school. It has found applications in various professions such as hospitality and healthcare, with pilots being particularly fond of it.
One area that remains unchanged is the placement of the front-facing camera for video calls. It remains on the left side when held horizontally, rather than at the top edge like the rest of Apple’s iPad lineup. This can lead to a lower video call angle, which may not be ideal.
specification
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screen: 8.9-inch 2266×1488 LCD display (326ppi)
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Processor: apple a17 pro
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Ram: 8GB
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Storage: 128, 256, or 512GB
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operating system: iPadOS 18
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camera: 12MP rear camera and selfie camera
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Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E (5G optional eSim only), Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, Touch ID
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size: 195.4×134.8×6.3mm
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Weight: 293g (4G version: 297g)
New A17 Pro chip and iPadOS 18
The biggest change in the new iPad mini is an upgrade to the A17 Pro chip, first used in the iPhone 15 Pro. It is 30% faster than the previous model and features a 2x faster AI processor.
While it excels compared to similarly sized tablets from competitors, it does not match the power of the M2 or M4 chips found in Apple’s larger Air and Pro iPad models, limiting features like advanced multitasking. You can connect a monitor via USB-C, but only for mirroring the screen or video output, not as an external display. Stage Manager multitasking system.
Battery life is slightly longer than its predecessor, offering approximately 12 hours of streaming video over Wi-Fi and 10 hours of typical app use such as browsing, note-taking, and emailing. More demanding tasks like gaming may reduce total usage time, but remain impressive for a tablet of this size.
The iPad mini runs on the latest iPadOS 18, featuring new customization options and enhanced note-taking capabilities when using a stylus. However, it lacks some features highlighted by Apple in its recent iPhones, such as a smarter Siri, enhanced notification system, advanced AI writing tools, and more. These features will be introduced in beta with the iPadOS 18.1 update in the US at the end of October and in other English-speaking countries later. None of these features are available in the EU.
sustainability
Apple has not disclosed the expected battery lifespan, but it should endure over 1,000 full charge cycles at a minimum of 80% of its original capacity, with replacements starting at £115. Repairs for damaged out-of-warranty tablets start at £339.
The tablets incorporate at least 25% recycled materials, including aluminum, copper, glass, gold, tin, plastic, and rare earth elements. Apple outlines the environmental impact of its tablets and offers trade-in and recycling programs, including for non-Apple products.
price
The iPad mini A17 Pro is priced from £499 (€599/$499/AU$799) or £649 (€769/$649/AU$1,049) with 5G capabilities.
Compared to other models, the 10th generation iPad starts at £329, the M2 iPad Air starts at £599, the iPad Pro M4 starts at £999, the Amazon Fire HD 8 starts at £99.99, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 starts at £169, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is priced at £1,799, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold costs £1,749.
verdict
With significant chip and feature enhancements, the iPad mini remains a top choice among compact tablets. While facing competition from inexpensive Android tablets and high-end foldable phones, it remains unmatched. Its small size, combined with the versatility of iPadOS, makes it a versatile device beyond entertainment. With the Apple Pencil Pro, it’s a great alternative to traditional notebooks, albeit at a higher cost.
Although lacking M-series chips, the iPad Air and Pro models are superior for multitasking, while the larger screen of the 10th generation iPad makes it a better option for those seeking a basic entertainment device from Apple. Overall, the upgrade from the 2021 model is not substantial.
Despite the trend towards larger smartphones, the iPad mini continues to appeal to journalists, pilots, and users seeking a capable, compact tablet with a long battery life. For these users, the new A17 Pro iPad mini is a near-perfect choice.
Strong Points: Compact design, great performance, 10 hours of battery life, great screen, USB-C, iPadOS, plenty of apps, great speakers, great microphone, long-term software support, recycled aluminum, and support for Apple Pencil Pro.
Cons: It’s expensive, its small size may be limiting for certain applications, the lack of a landscape-oriented video calling camera, no M-series chip for advanced multitasking or desktop-level use, and lack of major upgrades.
Source: www.theguardian.com
