Key Points
- The Apple iPad mini is a highly portable device with an 8.3-inch panel and a sleek design.
- It offers powerful performance with the A15 Bionic chip and a vibrant Liquid Retina display.
- The iPad mini is a great device for consuming media, with access to popular streaming apps and the ability to use AirPlay.
- The Apple Pencil is a valuable accessory for the iPad mini, allowing for creativity and productivity.
- The iPad mini is a great choice for gaming, with access to the Apple Arcade and exclusive iPad games.
Small tablets are ideal when you want a portable device larger than a smartphone. While there are a number of fantastic options, the reasons to buy an Apple iPad mini might make Android users second-guess themselves. The same applies to Apple fans considering the company’s larger tablets, as the new iPad mini is Apple’s best small slate yet.
The Apple iPad Mini: What You Need to Know
Apple introduced the original iPad mini in 2012 as a more portable version of the popular iPad. The first iPad had specifications that closely mirror those of the iPad 2. While we’ve seen that trend continue over the years, there are generally notable differences between the lines.
Until the iPad mini 6, these tablets relied on Apple’s lighting connectors. The new model replaced Apple’s unique connector with a USB-C port for the first time. It was a major addition to the series, and so was the ability to use the company’s new smart stylus.
The Apple Pencil 2 is the perfect companion for the iPad mini and further blurs the line between the company’s larger slates. Unfortunately, that’s also true for pricing, so you can expect to pay a premium for this small, sleek tablet.
While the previous generation is still an excellent tablet, it was discontinued with the iPad mini 6 release. That means support will end for it soon, just like the previous generations — now considered vintage by comparison.
- 8.3-inch Retina Display
- Apple A15 Bionic chip
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera
- Touch ID for security
Reasons to Buy an Apple iPad Mini
Small tablets can be an acquired taste for some and a necessity for others who hold portability in high regard. Mini tablets usually don’t have the power and features of larger models, but that isn’t necessarily the case when you’re dealing with Apple.
Portability
We’ve seen small tablets ranging from 5-9.8 inches, but Apple found the sweet spot with the mini. The 6th generation iPad mini has an 8.3-inch panel which provides plenty of room to read, play games and consume media.
Despite the display, the Apple iPad mini 2021 is only 7.69 inches high and 5.3 inches wide. It’s also 0.25 inches thick, which makes it one of the thinnest slates on the market. At less than 11 ounces, it won’t weigh you down, thanks to the components and the aluminum frame.
By comparison, the popular Amazon Fire HD 8 is slightly wider and almost a half-inch taller with much thicker bezels. The Galaxy A7 is comparable in size and weight to the iPad mini, along with tablets from Lenovo and other brands. They aren’t quite as svelte, however, and none are close when it comes to areas like performance and features.
Performance
Apple’s tablet may carry the “mini” moniker, but benchmark tests prove size doesn’t mean everything. It’s a powerful device built with high-quality components, including Apple’s processor, the A15 Bionic chip.
The mini ranks right behind the 5th generation iPad Pro, which is impressive, and it has more power than the 4th gen iPad Air. It has 4GB of RAM under the hood, alongside the hexa-core A15. It can handle anything you throw its way, and the display is just as vibrant as you’d expect. The Liquid Retina panel has a resolution of 2,266 x 1,488.
Cameras aren’t a major selling point on tablets, but the mini can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second and has a quad-LED dual-tone flash. The front-facing camera is great for FaceTime, and the stereo speakers are solid.
Storage space is light at 64GB or 256GB with no expansion, although that’s par for the course with modern tablets. Power is another reason to buy an Apple iPad mini, especially if you’ve used sluggish devices like a Fire tablet.
Media
Whether the person using the tablet is aged 10 or 42, content is one of the draws of portable slates. Initially, these devices allowed users to watch YouTube or Netflix on the go. Their capabilities have expanded considerably since then, and the iPad mini is the perfect example of that.
The ability to consume media you love on the go is a major reason to buy an Apple iPad mini today. Do you wait in anticipation for the next Apple Original to arrive? With this slate, you can access all your favorites while you’re out and about, including anything from Apple TV or iTunes.
Popular streaming apps like Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and MGM are all present. The ability to pull from your iTunes library when you’re on the move is a bonus, especially when you can use AirPlay to send content to secondary displays wherever you roam.
From Dolby Vision movies to 4K media through iTunes, Apple brings a lot to the table in terms of content. For media lovers, the best way to consume movies and TV shows is with the large iPhone Pro Max or the iPad mini.
The Apple Pencil
- Imperceptible lag
- Tilt and pressure sensitivity
- Magnetically attaches to the iPad
- Charges wirelessly
Apple makes a splash whenever they release a new product or accessory. That was the case with the Apple Pencil when it launched in 2015, even though it’s essentially just a Bluetooth stylus. This is similar to what Android users have experienced with the Note line for years.
The original Apple pencil debuted with the iPad Pro but it was only compatible with a handful of models. Apple resolved that issue with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, which is compatible with the newest iPad mini. It’s also a great way to unleash your creativity and increase productivity on an iPad.
Are you a digital artist or simply want to dabble with NFT creation? Apple’s smart pencil lets you easily create masterpieces with Adobe or design something for the crypto crowd. You can map zones to the pencil’s sensitive areas, and it also has magnetic wireless charging. Given how much the pencil adds to the mini, it’s easy to see why it’s a reason to purchase the company’s new device.
©Haris Setiyono/Shutterstock.com
Gaming
The Apple App Store has long been where mobile gamers could find some of the best titles, and it’s not uncommon to see exclusives debut on their platform. The original iPad mini quickly became a hit with mobile gamers, but the newest generation takes things to an all-new level thanks to the specs, display, and features like Apple Arcade.
Apple Arcade allows gamers to enjoy a variety of top-tier titles for one price — without distractions. That means ads won’t assault users, and offline play is common, not a rarity. The service also has many controller-friendly games with no in-app purchases. You’ll get three months for free when purchasing any new Apple device, although the service is a steal at only $4.99 a month.
While you can play some of the same popular games on an iPad mini or an iPhone, there are iPad exclusives. FTL and Darkest Dungeons are a great example of that, plus any other games that take advantage of Apple’s larger Retina display.
The Wrap-Up
Our reasons to buy an Apple iPad mini are partly why this small tablet is so popular. The operating system is another perk along with the Touch ID sensor – something fans of the iPhone miss. The Apple iPad mini 6 is a significant improvement over the previous generation and a device that should be high on your shopping list if you’re in the market for a powerful portable slate.
Reasons to Buy an Apple iPad Mini
| 1. Portability |
| 2. Performance |
| 3. Media |
| 4. The Apple Pencil |
| 5. Gaming |
- Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
- 8.3-inch Retina Display
- Apple A15 Bionic chip
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera
- Touch ID for security
- Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
- Imperceptible lag
- Tilt and pressure sensitivity
- Magnetically attaches to the iPad
- Charges wirelessly
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Iryna Imago/Shutterstock.com.
