It’s hard to believe that the iPad mini has been with us for almost 13 years. Now in its seventh iteration, the iPad mini has evolved into a powerful tablet that will meet the needs of most content consumers.
When Apple released its latest iPad mini, it came with something of a surprise. It supported Apple Intelligence while retaining a A-series system chip. The iPad mini comes with 8GB of RAM, up from 4GB in the previous model. Combined with the increased processing power the A17 Pro brings, that enabled Apple to bring its take on AI to the smallest iPad.
Specifications
| Display Size | 8.3-inch |
| Weight | 293g |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm |
| Display Resolution | 2266 x 1488 at 326 ppi |
| Display Brightness | 500 nits |
| Panel type | LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology |
| Storage | 128GB 256GB 512GB |
| Colours | Blue, Purple, Starlight, Space Grey |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Comms | Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi + Cellular Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Processor | A17 Pro (2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, 5-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine) |
| Apple Intelligence | Yes |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil Pro ($219) Apple Pencil (USB‑C) ($139) |
| Cameras | Rear: 12MP Wide camera Front: 12MP Center Stage camera |
| Speakers | Landscape stereo speakers |
| Microphones | Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording |
| Security | Touch ID via power button |
| Price (AUD) | 128GB – $799 256GB – $999 512GB – $1349 Add $250 for cellular data |
If you’ve been using a regular-sized iPad with a 10 or 11-inch display, you’ll immediately need to adjust. At 8.3-inches, the iPad mini packs a lot onto the display. Adjusting the icon size on the home screen to large from the default size makes app icons easier to hit without reducing the number of apps or widgets you can display.
The iPad mini, the way I use it, has three main purposes.
- Content consumption: Despite having a small screen, the iPad mini is great for watching streaming video, reading ebooks, catching up on email and web browsing. The display is crisp and clear and easy to read. While I have tapped out a few emails and messages using different social apps, the on-screen keyboard is a little too small for me to comfortably type.
- Note taking: I’m a big fan of Apple Notes. While Notability was a favourite app for a long time, its shift to a subscription model had me look at alternatives. Apple Notes has become a powerful tool. Coupled with an Apple Pencil Pro, which clips magnetically to the side of the iPad mini for pairing and charging, I use it daily for taking notes.
- Speaking notes: I often speak at public events where I need a run sheet and other notes. The iPad mini makes it easy to bring and annotate those notes, even when I’m on a cramped lectern or at a table.
For many years, I carried an iPad Pro (I’ve had both the 11-inch and 13-inch versions at different times) and it was a great device. But I also have a MacBook Air so the overlap between the larger iPads and laptop meant I often only took one with me.
The smaller iPad means I can take my laptop and iPad mini with me without adding lots of bulk to my carry on.
Battery life
Battery life remains the iPad mini’s biggest concern. Apple rates battery life from the 19.3-watt-hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery at up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‑Fi or watching video. That’s consistent with what I’ve achieved. Apple has done a lot to improve battery life in its laptops, achieving 18 hour life with the MacBook Air. It would be great if the iPad mini could get closer to that mark.
Typically, I’ll start the day with a full charge and still have about 25% battery remaining at the end of the day after note taking, reading, browsing and watching about 50 minutes of streaming video (one episode of whatever I’m into at the time) over Wi-Fi while making dinner.
If you’re moving to the iPad mini from another iPad and have an Apple Pencil Pro, be aware that you’ll need either the latest Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil.
Touch ID
Apple has decided that FaceID, which is incredibly useful, is not a feature that is needed on the iPad mini. Like the iPad Air, the iPad mini has integrated Touch ID into the Top button. This does take some getting used to as the button is quite thin. It does work well but after years of using Face ID on my iPhone and on various iPad Pros, it’s a change.
My tip is to set it up with at least one finger on each hand. Not only does that ensure it will work if you hurt a finger but it makes it easier to unlock the device whether it’s in portrait or landscape mode.
External display support
Using the iPad mini’s USB-C connector, it is possible to connect an external display, like the espresso Touch I recently reviewed. But, unlike the iPad Pro, external display support is limited to mirroring and not extended display. Support is limited to one external display with up to 4K resolution at 60Hz.
If a cable is annoying, you can also mirror the screen to a TV or other system that supports AirPlay. If you’re using AirPlay to send a movie to a TV, there’s 4K support.
The bottom line
The iPad mini is not for everyone. It makes a fine companion device if you have a laptop or just want something small as a second screen when you’re watching TV. It is definitely not a primary workhorse – some the 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro could manage for many people.
With an entry price of $799, it is not the cheapest iPad you can buy. But it will fit the needs of a specific niche of users. You should also factor in an Apple Pencil (USB-C) of Apple Pencil Pro if you plan on doing lots of note taking and a case to protect your investment. I’m a fan of the JETech Magnet Case which costs about a fifth the price of Apple’s Smart Folio.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.