*** (Note: iPad with Wi-Fi models cannot connect to cellular networks.) With eSIM, you can choose cellular data plans from select carriers in the U.S. and in more than 180 countries and regions around the world. More information on iPad support for LTE networks by carrier and country or region All Wi-Fi + Cellular models include a nano-SIM tray that supports a carrier SIM card.
iPad Mini
The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple’s markets. [2][3][4][5] It featured similar internal specifications to the iPad 2, including its display resolution. The iPad Mini 2, with a A7 processor and a Retina Display, was announced on October 22, 2013 and released on November 12, 2013. The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014 alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.
[7][8] The company did not give the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to be the iPad Mini. [9] At the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. [11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple’s iCloud online service. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype. The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[a][22]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.
Apple sells a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos. Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector. Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[37][38][39][40][41][42] with reviewers praising the device’s size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini.
[43][45] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price.
[42] The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.
iPad Mini 2
It has a nearly identical design to its predecessor the first-generation iPad Mini, but features internal revisions such as the addition of the A7 system-on-a-chip and 2,048 x 1,536 resolution Retina Display. Apple released the second-generation iPad Mini in space gray and silver colors on November 12, 2013. The second-generation iPad Mini was announced during a keynote at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 22, 2013. [9] Apple’s chief designer, Jony Ive, described the update of iOS 7’s new elements as “bringing order to complexity”, highlighting features such as refined typography, new icons, translucency, layering, physics, and gyroscope-driven parallaxing as some of the major changes to the design.
The iPad mini can act as a hotspot with some carriers, sharing its Internet connection over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB, and also access the Apple App Store, a digital application distribution platform for iOS. The service allows users to browse and download applications from the iTunes Store that were developed with Xcode and the iOS SDK and were published through Apple.
The second-generation iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. The second-generation iPad Mini has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore.
The audio playback of the second-generation iPad Mini is in stereo with two speakers located on either side of the lightning connector.
Apple sells a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos.
All second-generation iPad Mini models can connect to a wireless LAN and offer dual band Wi-Fi support. Apple’s ability to handle many different bands in one device allowed it to offer, for the first time, a single iPad variant which supports all the cellular bands and technologies deployed by all the major North American wireless providers at the time of the device’s introduction.
Beavis praises the Retina display and A7 chip’s performance, and states that its “design is still the best in the tablet category.” [22] On his website, AnandTech, Anand Lal Shimpi highly compliments the design and increased speed of the second-generation iPad Mini while lamenting the limited color palette, stating “…it’s a shame that this is a tradeoff that exists between the two iPads especially given how good Apple is about sRGB coverage in nearly all of its other displays. “[23] Despite some criticisms, such as the quality of the camera, Jeffrey Van Camp of Digital Trends gave the second-generation iPad Mini a score of 4.5 out of 5.
With a powerful 64-bit A7 processor and a high-resolution ‘Retina’ screen, it finishes the job that Apple started with the first iPad Mini.
iPad Mini 3
It comes with several built-in applications, which are Camera, Photos, Messages, FaceTime, Mail, Music, Safari, Maps, Siri, Calendar, iTunes Store, App Store, Notes, Contacts, iBooks, Game Center, Reminders, Clock, Videos, Newsstand, Photo Booth and Podcasts. Additional apps made by Apple itself are available for free download, which are iMovie, GarageBand, iTunes U, Find My iPhone, Find My Friends, Apple Store, Trailers, Remote, and the iWork apps (Pages, Keynote, and Numbers). [4] Like all iOS devices, the iPad Mini 3 can also sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes. The iPad Mini 3 includes a version of Apple Pay with the built-in NFC functionality removed.
Siri, an intelligent personal assistant and knowledge navigator, is integrated into the device and it can be activated hands-free. The application uses a natural language user interface to answer questions, make recommendations, and perform actions by delegating requests to a set of Web services.
Apple claims that the software adapts to the user’s individual preferences over time and personalizes results. Touch ID on the iPad Mini 3 is also compatible with Apple Pay and can be used to authorize purchases in online apps only with fingerprint verification, as opposed to entering passwords.
Apple has released a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos to an iPad.
iPad Mini
The first-generation iPad Mini was announced on October 23, 2012, and was released on November 2, 2012, in nearly all of Apple’s markets. [2][3][4][5] It featured similar internal specifications to the iPad 2, including its display resolution.
The iPad Mini 2, with a A7 processor and a Retina Display, was announced on October 22, 2013 and released on November 12, 2013. The iPad Mini 3 was announced on October 16, 2014 and was released on October 22, 2014 alongside the iPad Air 2; it features the same external hardware as the Mini 2 and the addition of a Touch ID fingerprint sensor compatible with Apple Pay.
[7][8] The company did not give the subject of the event, but it was widely expected to be the iPad Mini. [9] At the event, Apple CEO Tim Cook introduced a new version of MacBook family and new generations of the MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and the iMac, then unveiled the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad Mini. The iPad Mini comes with several pre-installed applications, including Siri, Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, Music, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Game Center, Photo Booth, and Contacts. [11] Like all iOS devices, the iPad can sync content and other data with a Mac or PC using iTunes and to Apple’s iCloud online service. Although the tablet is not designed to make telephone calls over a cellular network, users can use a headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or cellular using a VoIP application, such as Skype. The device has an optional iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. On June 8, 2015, it was announced at the WWDC that all four generations of the iPad Mini would support iOS 9. The iPad Mini is available with 16, 32, 64 and 128 GB[a][22]) of internal flash memory, with no expansion option.
Apple sells a “camera connection kit” with an SD card reader, but it can be used only to transfer photos and videos. Apple offers other accessories, including a Bluetooth keyboard, several types of earbuds or headphones and many adapters for the Lightning connector. Reviews of the first generation iPad Mini have been positive,[37][38][39][40][41][42] with reviewers praising the device’s size, design, and availability of applications, while criticizing its use of a proprietary power connector and its lack of expandable storage and Retina Display for the first-generation iPad Mini.
[43][45] Joshua Topolsky of The Verge praised the industrial design of the iPad Mini, however panned its lack of Retina Display and price.
[42] The iPad Mini 2 was well received, praising the Retina Display and Apple A7 chip performance, with criticisms on the price increase and the quality of the camera.
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.
iPad mini: History, specs, pricing, review, and deals
One year later, in 2013, the company gave this iPad a minor upgrade with the A7 processor and a Retina display. When everyone thought Apple wouldn’t launch another iPad mini, the company released the fifth generation in March of 2019.
This was the most significant update for the mini line at the time, with a major processor upgrade and the first-generation Apple Pencil support. Now with Touch ID on the upper button, a larger display with thinner bezels, A15 Bionic, better cameras, and new colors
With the powerful A15 Bionic processor, Apple claims it’s 80% faster than the previous model, making it the most capable iPad mini ever. Users also get 64GB and 256GB storage options and a new USB-C port, allowing faster connectivity and cellular models with 5G bringing more flexible mobile workflows.
With a new 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and Neural Engine, users can enjoy even more engaging video calls. Center Stage makes video calls more natural in FaceTime as well as third-party video-calling apps. This iPad also brings for the first time support for the second-generation Apple Pencil, also attaching to this tablet’s side.
Although many people praised the new iPad mini, some customers started noticing a “jelly scrolling” bug. This operating system brings a redesigned Home Screen with widgets and App Library support. New automation triggers based on the current reading of a HomeKit-enabled humidity, air quality, or light level sensor
is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in Apple Music using Siri App Privacy Report in Settings lets you see how often apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts, and more during the last seven days, as well as their network activity in Settings lets you see how often apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts, and more during the last seven days, as well as their network activity Communication safety setting gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity Digital Legacy allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death
allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death Apple TV app: Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place
One of the most notable changes here is a fix for a Safari vulnerability that may have been leaking your browsing history and Google ID data to the websites you visited. Different from other software updates, iPadOS 15.5 only improves the Podcast app experience, as Apple focused on Wallet changes for the iPhone this time: Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones TV app adds the option to restart a live sports game already in progress and pause, rewind, or fast-forward. Fixes an issue that may cause Braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail. In our sixth-generation iPad mini review, we praise its versatility to be used as a powerful device while still compact enough to read a book, use social media, and keep it anywhere near you. For example, it’s a wonderful reading device because of its large screen and lightweight, balanced design, but it suffers due to the lack of ProMotion.
Release Dates, Features, Specs, Prices
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. Customers who favor the small tablet can purchase this model with confidence, knowing that its design and performance won’t become outdated for years to come. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina Display is longer and skinnier than the previous models, so viewing 16:9 video content is better suited with less letterboxing.
The sixth-generation model has a 12MP sensor with True Tone flash, Smart HDR 3, and 4K video recording.
The 5G modem included in the cellular version enables sub-6GHz networks, but not the ultra-fast mmWave 5G found in football stadiums and other public venues. USB-C, the A15 processor, and all the design changes bring the iPad mini even higher in Apple’s product lineup. Due to these changes, the base price increased by $100 to $499, putting it closer to the $599 iPad Air and further away from the budget $329 model. It uses Apple’s A12 Bionic chip, 3GB of RAM, an upgraded 7.9-inch Retina display with True Tone, and an improved front-facing camera. Since it lacked the flat sides for inductive charging, only the first-generation Apple Pencil worked. Users could make HD FaceTime calls for the first time thanks to the higher-resolution selfie camera.
Despite the increase in length and width, the iPad mini 4 was 33.2 grams lighter than the previous model and a full millimeter thinner. This model also saw hardware upgrades, including Apple’s dual-core A8 chip, 2 GB of RAM, and a fully laminated display.
The iPad mini 4 was discontinued in March of 2019 but had received high praise from most major tech outlets during its three-and-a-half-year run. The device received fewer upgrades between generations than its predecessor had, providing almost the same hardware as the previous model. At the first model’s unveiling, Apple’s Phil Schiller said it was the company’s goal to help customers “find even more uses for iPad, to use it in places and ways they never imagined.
The larger model eventually borrowed the small tablet’s slimmer design the following year, when Apple debuted the iPad Air.
That feature is still a primary selling point today, with much of Apple’s PR showing people holding the device in one hand. If anything, it is more emphasized than ever with the all-screen display and Apple Pencil support transforming it into a handheld notepad. Original iPad mini iPad mini 6 Year 2012 2021 Price (starting) $329 $499 Dimensions (inches) 7.87 x 5.3 x 0.28 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 Weight (pounds) Wi-Fi only) 0.68 0.65 Weight (pounds) (Cellular) 0.69 0.66 Processor Dual-core A5 A15 Bionic Storage 16GB, 32GB, 64GB 64GB, 256GB Display Type 7.9-inch 8.3-inch Liquid Retina with True Tone, 500 nits brightness Resolution 1024 x 768 at 163ppi 2266 x 1488 at 326ppi Connectivity 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0. 5G (sub-6 GHz), Gigabit LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 Battery Up to 10 hours Up to 10 hours Rear camera 5MP 12MP Wide, f/1.8 aperture, 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, Quad-LED True Tone flash Rear camera video 1080p HD video 4K at 24fps, 25fps, 30fps, 60fps, or 1080p HD at 25fps, 30fps, 60fps; 3x zoom; Slow-Mo 1080p at 120fps or 240fps; extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps Front camera 1.2MP 12MP Ultra Wide, f/2.4 aperture, Retina Flash, Smart HRD 3 for photos Front camera video 720p HD 1080p HD video at 25, 30, or 60 fps Center Stage No Yes Connector Lightning USB-C Apple Pencil support No Second Generation Audio Stereo speakers; 3.5mm headphone Two speaker audio landscape mode Touch ID No Yes Colors Black & Slate, White & Silver Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight Unlike Apple’s other products, which have gone through multiple display size alterations and form factor updates, the iPad mini has clung to the 5.3-inch width and near 7.7-inch height.
Apple iPad mini 6th gen
Equipment Installment Plan: Tax on full price due at sale. Must remain on qualifying service in good standing for duration of EIP agreement.
iPad mini 7: Complete guide to Apple’s next tiny tablet
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. 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. On the current iPad mini 6th generation, the base model starts off with a rather paltry 64GB of storage. 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.
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