It is the first major redesign of the iPad Mini, and resembles the fourth-generation iPad Air in design and with its top button Touch ID (removing the home button), with a larger 8.3-inch display, USB-C port (replacing the Lightning port), and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil. It lacks a Smart Connector for a keyboard, likely due to its smaller size. It has an 8.3-inch 2266×1488 Liquid Retina display, taller and slightly narrower than previous models while maintaining the pixel density of 326 PPI, which is the same on all iPhones with Retina LCDs since the iPhone 4, excluding the Plus models.
The display is laminated and has an anti-reflective coating, as well as wide color and True Tone. The volume control buttons have been moved to the top edge of the device to accommodate the second-generation Apple Pencil. All models have Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless capabilities while the cellular models supports 5G connectivity but it lacks mmWave support unlike the iPad Pro (5th generation). This model received a very positive reception, noting a new design was long overdue and felt 5G was a nice surprise, with Jason Perlow from Zdnet calling it “Apple’s most exciting new product in years”.
Apple iPad mini 6 release date, price, features and news
The iPad mini 6 comes with a rather standard 8.9-inch IPS LCD display with 500 nits of peak brightness. We don’t get a smooth ProMotion display refresh rate on the iPad mini, as it’s 60Hz screen. The new 2021 iPad mini 6 comes in four colors, which Apple has named Space Gray, Pink, Purple and Starlight.
Unlike past iPad mini models, this one has a camera bump, so it’s not going to lie completely flat on a surface.
CenterStage is a feature that you can have enabled on most messaging apps (Skype, Zoom, Facebook Messenger), which can focus on you and follow you as you move around during video calls. Unfortunately, it’s the bottom ones (when holding the iPad in landscape), so they’re fairly easy to cover with the user’s hands.
On the upside, the iPad mini 6’s speakers produce loud and rich sound, with clear high and mids, and even a hint of upper bass. If playing a game like Pub G, for example, you can clearly hear which side gunshots and explosions come from, which, again, wasn’t the case on previous iPad minis.
Now that the iPad mini has been fully redesigned to resemble Apple’s other modern, premium tablets, it no longer has a headphone jack. Aside from a USB Type-C port (with external storage support), the iPad mini 6 has a magnetic dock for the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) on top (when held in landscape, on the right side when in portrait). The iPad mini 6 comes with iPadOS 15 out the box, which has improved multitasking, home screen widgets and an updated Safari web browser. Scribble lets users write with the Apple Pencil in any text field, for example in the Safari app, as opposed to using a physical or on-screen keyboard.
iPad Mini 7 (2022): Release date, price, specs
Sporting a complete redesign incorporating a edge-to-edge display with no Home button, Touch ID on the power button, the addition of USB C instead of Lightning, and increasing the display size for the first time since the model was first introduced all the way back in 2012. There hasn’t been much in the way of rumors regarding the next version of the iPad mini, so at the moment it remains mere speculation when it might arrive.
As you can see, September is the traditional month in which the new iPad mini appears, although the release pattern in terms of years is a bit scattershot. This could be wrong, of course, in fact, Gizchina suggests that we could see a new iPad mini in the first half of 2023, so a spring launch is possible.
It’s been surprisingly quiet on the rumor front, with hardly any reports online from the usual leakers and insider sources that have proven rich pickings in past years. A post on the South Korean site in November 2021 indicated Apple had ordered 8.3-inch displays from Samsung that support 120Hz maximum refresh rates. This would address the minor issue of “jelly scrolling” that some users have complained about with the current iPad mini. One of the most obvious changes to the iPad mini 6th generation was the new palette of colors that Apple made available.
While you can currently select between space gray, pink, purple, and starlight, there are several interesting hues available on the iPad Air 4th generation which also received a new look in fall 2021. It would therefore seem reasonable to assume that some of these make it to the mini format, giving an instant boost to the options for customers. In which case we could see the iPad mini feature a LiDAR Scanner, Face ID, M1 processors, additional cameras, Audio zoom and brighter displays. Although Apple has something of a history for giving base-models low storage capacities, we think it would be a wise move to upgrade the entry-level iPad mini 7th generation to at least 128GB.
File sizes are growing all the time, due to higher quality cameras and software, so doubling the existing 64GB would be a very consumer-friendly solution. However, Apple has stuck with 10 hours of battery life for every iPad ever released, so don’t expect much in the way of a breakthrough.
New iPad Mini 6 2021 Release Date, Price, Specs: It’s Official
Described as a “complete redesign”, the iPad mini 6 brings with it numerous key changes including a new and powerful A15 Bionic chip, an 8.3in Liquid Retina display, Apple Pencil 2 Support, improved cameras – and 5G connectivity. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest iPad mini including price, availability, release dates, and new features.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, for instance, indicated in July 2021 the new iPad mini “should be a go” for an announcement and release in the autumn of 2021. The new iPad mini tablets will be available in Pink, Starlight, Purple, and Space Gray finishes. One reason why Apple might have changed the price of the iPad mini is in relation to global component shortages. Despite a larger display, the device keeps the same footprint (in fact it’s slightly smaller and lighter, although a tad thicker).
Apple promises the new and upgraded processor should allow the mini 6 to handle the most demanding tasks such as “graphically rich games to pro apps used by designers, pilots, doctors, and more”. With the A15 Bionic chip in tote, the iPad mini 6 offers leaps in machine learning too, thanks to its 16-core Neural Engine. The new USB-C port allows the iPad mini 6 to connect to a whole host of other other devices and accessories such as cameras, external storage and 4K displays. Similarly, the rear camera offers a 12Mp sensor – up from 8Mp – with “Focus Pixels”, a larger f/1.8 aperture, Smart HDR, and 4K video support. The new iPad mini also supports the second-gen Apple Pencil, which attaches to the device magnetically for wireless charging and pairing. The new iPadOS improves the experience of widgets on the home screen, with both more to choose from and a larger display format on iPad.
At the top of the screen, you can tap to access a new multitasking menu, offering options for Split-Screen and Slideover, and new keyboard controls also support these features.
Apple iPad mini 6 (2021) review: Awesome and ultraportable
I don’t know how Tim Cook resisted the urge to say “Honey, I shrunk the iPad Air” when Apple introduced the tablet, though that’s exactly what the company did. But that audience isn’t looking for a perfectly portable tablet that is a joy for reading books and comics, browsing the web and more, all with just one hand.
The only real downsides for the iPad mini 6 come for multitaskers and typists with a penchant for Apple-made keyboards.
The only real downsides for the iPad mini 6 come for multitaskers and typists with a penchant for Apple-made keyboards.
The iPad mini 6 is available for purchase at local retailers and via Apple’s website (opens in new tab). That lightness makes it incredibly easy to use with just one hand, an aspect that’s just not out there for most high-end tablets, unless you’ve got the high-powered biceps of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, though, has login via facial recognition, something that no iPad outside of the pricey Pros offer. Touch ID was a breeze to set up, on the iPad mini and both unlocked the tablet and confirmed my identity for Apple Pay in a speedy manner. The iPad mini 6 has one of the best screens for a tablet of its size, which I noticed as I re-watched the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer. Not only did the reds of Peter Parker’s suit pop in an accurate hue, but the amber glow of Doctor Strange’s powerful spell (which he told Wong he wouldn’t do) looked great as did the green glowing out of the goblin grenade on the freeway. The iPad mini 6 boasts the powers of the A15 Bionic system-on-chip, with a six-core CPU, five-core graphics and 16-core Neural Engine. Playing a quarter or two of basketball in NBA 2K21 Arcade Edition, I saw the Knicks take on the Heat, and everything ran smoothly.
The exasperation on coach Tom Thibodeau’s face looked natural and like what I remember from when Trey Young took down New York during round 1 of the playoffs. The iPad mini 6’s stereo speakers can pump out a surprising amount of sound for a tablet so small. I learned this when listening to it accurately produce Hayley Williams’ vocals on Paramore’s “Hard Times,” where guitars and percussion emitted clearly. When I turned on Grandtheft and Keys N Krates’ EDM track “Keep It 100” to check out the bass, I noticed some (but not too much) of the low ent of the sound spectrum.
We love the iPad mini’s support for the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen, though, because it’s simply easier to use. The first generation Apple Pencil has to be charged by plugging its Lightning port into the bottom of an iPad, which always feels awkward.
The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen instead charges by snapping magnetically onto the flat edge sides of the iPad mini 6. Testing it out with the Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3, I found everything to work well, as I thought about how the iPad mini 2021 is the perfect size for a second screen on my desk (especially since the Clock app’s World Clock mode will save my lazy brain from doing the simple math to figure out what time it is for my colleagues around the world).
The smaller a tablet gets, the more I understand people wanting to use it as a camera, and the iPad mini 2021 makes a good case for this purpose. Its 12-megapixel front and rear cameras provide pretty good image quality, with the latter capturing the greens and myriad of spikes of the cacti around my living room and the dark purples of the protea flower that’s nearing the end of its life.
I noticed that the selfie cam also provides accurate photography, reproducing my skin tones correctly, as well as the blue of my t-shirt. Apple claims “all-day battery life” with up to 10 hours on a single charge, and our test shows they’re being modest (again).
The iPad mini 6 lasted 10 hours and 56 minutes on our Wi-Fi-based battery test (constant web browsing at 150 nits until the tablet dies), which is impressive when you think of how many pixels there are to illuminate. And with the mini’s speedy A15 Bionic performance, you should be confident that you can run even-more demanding apps on it. At the end of the day, those who want an excellent one-handed tablet experience for reading books and watching shows and movies — with no compromises — should check out the iPad mini 2021.
iPad mini (2021) review
Apple calls this an “all-screen design”, but we’d argue that the thicker bezels mean that’s a rather bold claim. Apple has ensured that the iPad mini shines in the specs department, thanks primarily to the new A15 Bionic chipset, which has impressed us with its performance during our testing time. You can see all the prices for the new iPad mini models below, for both the 64GB and 256GB storage sizes, and the Wi-Fi-only or Wi-Fi + cellular options.
This feels like the perfect compromise, in terms of form factor, between the iPhone 13 Pro Max and a larger tablet like the iPad Air 4.
Its dimensions of 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm (that’s notably smaller than the last-gen mini) make it one of the smallest tablets we’ve ever used, and it’s an enjoyable experience for anyone who doesn’t need a larger screen for watching video and more. The iPad mini weighs 293 grams (a touch less than the 2019 model), which means it’s easy to slide into a bag – and even a large jacket pocket – and not feel the extra weight. Instead, there’s a power button on the top edge in the left hand corner, and this is also home to the Touch ID sensor that enables you to use your fingerprint to unlock the tablet. We’d recommend setting up fingers on both hands so that the unlock button is always within easy reach of one of your digits, whether you’re using the tablet in portrait or landscape orientation.
The iPad mini also gets upgraded stereo speakers, which we found gave full and clear audio when listening to music or watching video on the tablet.
The iPad mini features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, which offers good picture quality.
Apple says it’s an “all-screen design”, but we’d argue that that isn’t strictly the case, as there are thick bezels around the outside of the screen. It’s unlikely that you’ll find this is an issue though, and the screen is suitably bright and the picture quality is clear.
If you need top-tier power, you may want to opt for the iPad Pro line instead, but most people will be happy with what’s on offer here. We don’t yet know how much RAM is inside the iPad mini, but in our testing it proved more than adequate for everyday takes. The new iPad Pro goes up to 1TB of storage, so it may be worth looking at that model if you’re intending to fill your tablet with apps and media. Don’t expect super-long battery life from the iPad mini 2021, but it’s good enough to last you for a full day of typical use.
We don’t yet know the size of the cell inside the iPad mini as Apple doesn’t reveal these details, although we wouldn’t be surprised if an enterprising teardowner finds out before too long. Apple estimates that you’ll get up to 10 hours of use when browsing the web or watching video over Wi-Fi, and we found that to be about right.
Your iPad mini likely won’t last that long if you’re using the tablet on full brightness and swapping between multiple apps – we were getting around eight hours of battery life with more intensive use. We found that things like sketching with the Apple Pencil also drained the battery life more quickly, and it’s likely to drop even faster if you’re using mobile connections as well. There’s no wireless charging here, and the iPad mini isn’t compatible with the company’s MagSafe accessories that work with a variety of iPhone models.
If you want a tablet that you can slip into a bag, or just prefer a smaller device in the hand, this is an excellent choice.
iPad mini 6
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. However, the aspect ratio is wider on the iPad mini, offering a larger canvas than what the iPhone can at the same size.
The combination of the A15 processor, laminated display, P3 color gamut, and USB-C make this tablet more pro than standard.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is now longer and skinnier than the old models, offering a better gaming and media consumption experience. The laminated screen makes content appear closer to the surface, so using the Apple Pencil will feel more natural. Since the Apple Pencil is nearly the length of the iPad mini’s long side, the volume buttons had to be relocated to the top.
The side opposite the Apple Pencil docking point wouldn’t work either because the buttons would interfere with magnetic cases like the Smart Folio. That means there’s no official keyboard case, but that hasn’t stopped third-party manufacturers from experimenting with the tiny device. The Wide camera on the iPad mini is a 12MP sensor with True Tone flash, Smart HDR 3, and 4K recording capabilities. Center Stage was introduced as a feature for the 2021 iPad Pro, and it intelligently uses the wide-angle of the camera to pan and fit your face or others as they enter the field of view. Early benchmarks show that the chip is slightly downclocked in the iPad mini, 2.9GHz versus 3.2GHz, but the effect on performance is negligible. Apple says the A15 makes the new iPad mini 40% faster than its previous generation, and the Neural Engine is twice as fast.
Apple doesn’t update the iPad mini every year, so it opted for the top-of-the-line A-series processor to prevent premature aging out. The A15 Bionic is more than powerful enough to run any modern iPad app or game without any issue and will continue to do so for some time.
Apple says the iPad mini has a 19.3 watt-hour battery that offers up to 10 hours of web surfing or watching videos. The Starlight color is interesting to behold in any lighting situation, and the lightweight means users are less likely to drop it. The light weight is a boon for long video viewing sessions, making for a great media consumption device. The iPad mini draws obvious comparisons to the Amazon Kindle lineup due to its size.
The iPad mini is perfect for anyone in the market for a small tablet device, but it isn’t that simple a recommendation.
Apple iPad mini (2021)
4 GB RAM Apple A15 Bionic We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Apple iPad Mini 6 Expected Price, Full Specs & Release Date (26th Sep 2022) at Gadgets Now
Apple iPad Mini 6 tablet features a 7.9 inches (20.07 cm) touchscreen for your daily needs and runs iPadOS v14 operating system to quickly open apps and games.
iPad mini: Buyer’s Guide, Should You Buy?
The prior version of the iPad mini had thick bezels and a Touch ID Home button, but the new model does away with those in favor of an all-display design. The volume buttons are at the top to leave space for a magnetic connector at the side that’s used to charge the second-generation Apple Pencil.
The iPad mini 6 comes in Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Starlight, a new color that’s a hybrid between silver and gold. The USB-C port supports 5Gbps data transfer and is able to charge an iPhone or Apple Watch with the proper cable.
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