It's easy to dismiss the iPad Mini and the revamped design with its impending release and announcement. The new iPad Mini has many advantages, including a larger screen and faster processor. It also features a refined design similar to the 2020 iPad Air. There is one downside to this model: the higher price.
Due to its unique position on the market and the lack of competition, the iPad Mini has been known for being notoriously price-impaired over the years. Only recently did the iPad Mini start to receive significant discounts. It was reduced to $300 shortly before the new model was released, but it began at $399 right from the beginning. The new iPad Mini is $499, before you add any additional storage or 5G connectivity.
Let's now see what makes the iPad Mini so special and whether it is worth the $200 extra price over its predecessor.
What's new on the 2021 iPad Mini
The new iPad Mini features a larger screen and a smaller footprint.
Apple's A15 Bionic processor replaces 2018's aging A12 Bionic
The front camera is more detailed and supports Center Stage zooming in to keep you centered during video chats
The rear camera has a higher resolution and can record 4K video
All things USB-C (except iPhones, sadly)
The second-gen Apple Pencil attaches magnetically to the side of the charger so there's no more sticking out of the port for charging.
Compatibility with Wi-Fi 6
5G connectivity on cellular models for faster speeds than LTE but without mmWave radio bands
The new iPad Mini's screen is 8.3 inches. This display is the highlight. Although it may not seem like much, the new iPad Mini is actually slightly smaller than the previous 7.9-inch model and has a larger screen. It's a good thing for everyone to have more screen real estate and smaller bezels within the same footprint.
The new iPad Mini has the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 13 line, and five GPU cores, just like the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro. This is one more than the iPhone 13, 13 Mini, and 13. Apple claims that the new chip will give the Mini an extra 40 percent CPU boost and 80 percent GPU performance over the A12 Bionic model. Although there is talk that it may not be as fast as the iPhone 13's A15 processor, this remains to be confirmed. However, the improvements over the iPad Mini before are evident.
The iPad Mini's camera tech sounds solid on paper.
The 7MP selfie camera was replaced by a 12MP ultrawide front cam in 2019. Although more resolution may not seem like the most important thing, the iPad Mini now supports Center Stage. This allows you to stay centered while video calls are being made. While still 1080p quality has been maintained, the iPad Mini has a higher dynamic range and more options for video frame rates. Smart HDR 3 is also available for photos.
The rear camera has a similar resolution and recording gain with a 12MP sensor, brighter aperture (f/1.8) and replaces the 8MP @f/2.4. A faster aperture will be useful in low light. There is also a quad-LED True Tone flash for those times when it gets too dark. This replaces the previous 8MP @ f/2.4. The new iPad Mini model offers 4K video recording at 60 frames per second.
The new iPad Mini aligns with the iPad Pros, 2020 iPad Air and 2020 iPad Air by replacing Lightning connectors with USB-C. However, the new iPhone does not receive the same treatment. This allows for more flexibility in charging and connecting devices such as full-size cameras and game controllers. The faster USB-C charger is included in the box. A $1,600 iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn't come with any charging brick.
In 2019, the iPad Mini line was compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil. This is a complicated charging method. The new iPad Mini supports wireless charging and magnetic docking. This tablet has more functionality thanks to its sleek and seamless design. Wireless Bluetooth options are available if you want to add a keyboard.
The new iPad Mini's cellular-equipped versions are compatible with 5G, whereas the previous iPad Mini had LTE. You're probably wondering if 5G really gives you faster speeds. However, you will still be able to use the mobile internet on your portable device. The price of a 5G iPad Mini (2021), will increase by $150. This brings the total to $649 (before any carrier fees). Ouch. All 2021 iPad Mini models have Wi-Fi 6, which allows for faster home speeds.
iPad Mini (2021 Wi-Fi) $499 Apple's revamped iPad Mini eliminates the home button in favor of a larger display that is more like last year's iPad Air. The iPad Mini is equipped with a faster processor and USB-C support. There's also a top-mounted power button which doubles as a Touch ID sensor. Apple: $499
Walmart: $459
What is the difference between both models?
The new screen is bigger, but it still has the same number pixels per inch
Each screen is laminated to reduce the space between cover glass & screen
Maximum brightness for both panels is 500 nits
Both have Touch ID fingerprint sensors, but they are located in different places.
Apple claims the same battery life for both
Storage capacity starts at 64GB
The weight is almost identical (within 8g).
Both run iPadOS 15
The screen is what makes the model stand out. However, you need to keep in mind that both models have the same pixel density. The resolution of the 2021 iPad Mini is 2266x1488, while the 2019 iPad Mini is 2048x1536. Both have 326ppi. Both screens should look sharp, but the 2021 model has more screen real estate. The screens are laminated and the pixels should appear to be right up against the cover glass, unlike the base model iPad.
Storage capacity is another similarity. Both the old and new models come with 64GB storage. You can upgrade to 256GB for $150 more. This may be disappointing for some considering the iPhone 13 models increased their base storage to 128GB. It might be worth doing some personal bookkeeping to see how much storage your current use is before you spend more.
But what about software? There isn't much to say about software. The new iPad Mini will come with iPadOS 15 and the 2019 model can be upgraded on September 20th. The main difference between these two tablets is that the new iPad Mini will ship with iPadOS 15, while the 2019 model will be eligible to upgrade on September 20th. The new model has no home button. Instead, the Touch ID fingerprint sensor is integrated into the top sleep/power button. This is also where you will find the volume buttons.
The 2019 iPad Mini is a great choice.
Price: The older iPad Mini is currently available for $200 less than its new counterpart
The tablet is still an excellent choice, and there are many years of improvements to it.
It also has a headphone socket!
For those who prefer it, the classic home button operation
Even though the iPad Mini is now discontinued, it still has many great features. The new iPad Mini has a 3.5mm headset jack. This is a shame. Even mini tablets should have enough space for a headphone socket, but that's another story. The 2019 iPad Mini has the traditional physical home button, with Touch ID. While gesture controls on newer Apple products might not be for everyone and some people still love the clicky home button, they are still popular. You don't have to regret buying a 2019 iPad Mini for the year 2021 if you love these things.
Pricing is also an important consideration. A slightly older tech will always have the benefit of having discounted prices before they are no longer available. A $200 price drop is not something to be taken lightly with the recent price jump for the iPad Mini. The 2021 iPad Mini is priced almost in 2020 iPad Air territory. There are many reasons to consider the Air.
If you're looking for a small tablet, there are two options: the old iPad Minis or the new iPad Minis. There is not much competition in this market, so discounts are not always common. There are many compatible accessories available, with likely lower prices. The iPad Mini should be updated for years. We will be reviewing the iPad Mini extensively in the coming weeks, to see if the new features are worth the extra cost.
