The iPad mini (2021) Review: A Delightfully Compact Powerhouse, but is it Worth the Price?
The iPad mini has always held a peculiar charm, offering a smaller and more portable alternative to Apple’s larger tablets. With the sixth generation, Apple aimed to redefine the mini experience, equipping it with the powerful A15 Bionic processor and a design that evokes the sleekness of the iPad Air and iPad Pro. This refresh makes the iPad mini a compelling option, but its significantly smaller screen and higher price tag raise the question: is it a worthwhile investment? I spent a couple of weeks with the new iPad mini, testing it in various scenarios, and this is what I found.
Apple iPad mini 2021 India pricing and variants
The iPad mini (2021) starts at Rs. 46,900 in India for the 64GB Wi-Fi only model. It comes in four vibrant colors: Space Grey, Pink (which leans towards salmon), Purple (with a lilac hue), and Starlight (a creamy champagne). The 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model is priced at Rs. 60,900, the same as the 256GB Wi-Fi only variant. The top-end 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular model clocks in at Rs. 74,900. Add a Smart Folio cover (Rs. 5,500) and the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) (Rs. 10,900) to the mix, and the total cost can reach Rs. 91,300.
These prices are significantly higher than those of the entry-level ninth-gen iPad. While the 64GB Wi-Fi iPad is priced at Rs. 30,900 in India, the Wi-Fi + Cellular model starts at Rs. 42,900, with the 256GB versions costing Rs. 44,900 and Rs. 56,900 for Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular, respectively. This price difference raises a crucial factor – it’s not just about the use case, but also about weighing the value of features and deciding which aspects are most important to you.
Apple iPad mini (2021) design
The 2021 iPad mini has shed the resemblance of a scaled-down iPad and now closely mirrors a compact version of the iPad Air (2020). The home button is gone, allowing the display to seamlessly extend nearly to the edges of the device. An impressive 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera sits on the front, and the iPad mini now supports Centre Stage, a feature that cleverly utilizes machine learning to crop and adjust the camera view, ensuring you and anyone else in the frame remain prominently centered.
While a welcome change, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a significant drawback. On a phone, it’s less of a loss, but on an iPad, the convenience of plugging in wired headphones, especially for nighttime usage, is missed.
The power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor for Touch ID, fulfilling its function effectively. However, the absence of Face ID on this tablet is a missed opportunity, as it would have complemented the design and enhanced security. The volume buttons, moving from the side to the top, make way for the magnetically attached Apple Pencil (2nd generation), a significant improvement over the first-generation Pencil. The Nano-SIM tray, hidden when the Pencil is attached, is located on the same side.
A USB Type-C port graces the bottom, replacing the proprietary Lightning port. The four speaker grilles, two on the top and two on the bottom, deliver stereo sound only in landscape mode, as the tablet only has two speakers. This arrangement suffices for watching videos and playing games, but a true stereo experience would have been preferable. The rear camera boasts another 12-megapixel sensor with a True Tone flash. The rest of the back is clean, adorned only by the prominent Apple logo.
The iPad mini now features an 8.3-inch display, surpassing the 7.9-inch screen of previous generations. Wi-Fi variants weigh in at 293g, while the Wi-Fi + Cellular models tip the scales at 297g. Despite the larger display, the new iPad mini’s body is slightly smaller overall, being 10mm shorter and 7g lighter than its predecessor.
The Liquid Retina display is an LCD panel boasting a 2,266×1,488 resolution at 326 pixels per inch. Interestingly, this is comparable to the resolution of the 11-inch 2021 iPad Pro. The result is a remarkably crisp display, surrounded by a noticeable bezel. While slightly narrower than the bezel on the entry-level iPad, it’s essential for the iPad mini’s size – anything smaller would likely lead to frequent accidental touches.
The package includes the iPad mini itself, a USB Type-C charging cable, a 20W USB Type-C power adaptor, and basic documentation.
Apple iPad mini (2021) specifications and software
The new iPad mini is powered by the A15 Bionic SoC, the same chip found in the iPhone 13 series, though clocked at a slightly lower speed than in the iPhones. This marks a significant upgrade from the A12 Bionic in the fifth-generation iPad mini (2019). The new chip, fabricated on a 5nm process, features an integrated 5-core GPU and six CPU cores. Apple claims a 40 percent performance increase in the 6-core CPU and an 80 percent leap in graphics performance from the 5-core GPU compared to the previous-generation iPad mini.
My experience with the iPad mini over 12 days confirmed this power. Even when playing graphically demanding games or running multiple applications simultaneously, like Pages and Safari, the device never struggled, and there was no noticeable heat build-up. The Quick Note feature in iPadOS 15, activated by swiping in from the bottom-right corner with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), allows you to take handwritten notes and copy-paste them as editable text in Pages, all without any lag.
The rear camera features a 12-megapixel sensor with a quad-LED True Tone flash, supporting 4K video recording at up to 60fps with video stabilisation. The 12-megapixel front camera boasts an ultra-wide 122-degree field of view. Other features include stereo speakers and dual microphones for FaceTime and VoIP calls. Connectivity options include simultaneous dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) Wi-Fi 6, and it can connect to 5G or LTE networks using a Nano-SIM or an eSIM.
The iPad mini runs iPadOS 15, which includes the SharePlay feature allowing for screen sharing during FaceTime calls, a grid view for multiple participants in FaceTime calls, the ability to invite Windows and Android users to calls with a Web link, new Memoji characters, and a new Focus feature for controlling notifications.
While iPadOS offers a familiar and user-friendly experience, there are limitations that some power users may find frustrating. These include the lack of multiple user accounts, restricted access to the file system, and reliance solely on the official App Store for approved apps. However, as a long-time iPad user, I have adapted to these constraints and am content with the overall experience.
Most popular apps, including Instagram, offer iPad-specific versions that function well on the iPad mini. Multitasking features like Split View and Slide Over are intuitive and user-friendly. The ability to quickly swipe in from the side to return to an app in multitasking mode is incredibly convenient. The smaller screen, while cramped compared to a full-sized iPad, is less noticeable thanks to the increase from 7.9 inches in older models. Working in landscape mode with two apps open is surprisingly comfortable.
The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) unlocks a range of cool features. Swiping in from the bottom-right corner (with the Pencil or a finger) opens a new Quick Note for quick scribbling. Swiping in from the bottom left (Pencil only) captures a screenshot, allowing you to add markings. Pencil settings offer customizations for the toolbar, palm input, writing in text boxes, note conversion to text, a double-tap action, and color palettes in supported apps like Notes.
Apple iPad mini (2021) performance
The iPad mini is capable of handling pretty much anything you throw at it. Its popularity among flight crews highlights its value in niche applications, like using interactive flight plan apps in cockpits. This portable size makes it ideal for long flights, and my experience with previous flights suggests it’s a great device for catching up on reading, watching videos, and playing games.
Compared to the entry-level iPad, the iPad mini’s more powerful processor makes it an appealing option for those seeking a device that bridges the gap between the iPad Pro models and the standard iPad. I played games like Bastion, Civilization VI, and ARK: Survival Evolved on the iPad mini without any lag or performance issues. Games like Wingspan, which tax my iPhone XS, ran smoothly on the iPad mini. In my daily usage, I never encountered any scenarios where the iPad mini felt underpowered.
The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support is a game-changer. The first-generation Pencil, usable on the standard iPad, is a hassle with its separate charging process and constant worry about misplacing it. The second-generation Pencil, always magnetically attached to the iPad mini, is always charged and ready to use.
This seemingly minor change exponentially improves the likelihood of using the Pencil. Coupled with the impressive ability of iPadOS to convert handwritten notes into editable text, it’s a seamless and natural experience. I found myself frequently jotting down notes on the iPad mini and effortlessly copying and pasting them into emails. This feature is especially valuable for anyone who enjoys taking handwritten notes.
My other primary iPad usage involves watching videos, reading books, and comics. I anticipated my sixth-generation iPad with its larger screen would be superior for these activities. However, while screen size is a significant factor, the weight difference (the sixth-generation iPad, at almost 500g, is nearly twice as heavy as the iPad mini) led me to find the iPad mini much more comfortable for extended reading sessions. The larger display, compared to previous iPad mini models, is now big enough to provide a comfortable experience for books, comics, and watching videos, negating the need for a phone.
The rear camera delivers respectable results, even in less-than-ideal indoor lighting. The front camera, on the other hand, is best suited for video chats, where it performs admirably.
Apple iPad mini (2021) battery life
Apple states that the battery in the new iPad mini, similar to the 2021 base iPad model, lasts for up to 10 hours. This accurate estimation is a testament to Apple’s mastery in optimizing battery size and performance. I never experienced any battery anxiety, and the fast charging feature further alleviated any concerns about running out of power.
Even with the added power draw from charging the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), I consistently achieved more than 10 hours of use between charges. The iPad mini also excels at preserving charge when not in use, with minimal battery depletion when the screen is off. This effectively translates to maximizing the promised battery life. Using the included 20W charger, the iPad mini charged from 10 percent to 100 percent in around two hours.
Verdict
My initial assumption was that while the new iPad mini’s design was appealing, it would be a less capable alternative to the standard iPad. The first-generation iPad Pro’s large display had rendered the standard iPad somewhat obsolete for me. However, I discovered that the smaller display on the iPad mini, instead of being a drawback, was a surprising asset, offering greater portability while still being suitable for media consumption.
I initially expected to switch back to my sixth-generation iPad at night, but found myself gravitating towards the iPad mini. Typing with my thumbs on the smaller display was not only possible, but surprisingly comfortable. Holding the iPad mini for extended reading sessions was also significantly easier than the larger iPad. The smart and convenient design proved to be much more comfortable for me.
The more powerful internals are a welcome addition, but honestly, for everyday use, the difference is negligible. The new iPad is not underpowered. However, specific workflows might benefit from the additional power, so it depends on your intended use. The importance of the Apple Pencil (2nd generation) also plays a crucial role in deciding whether the iPad mini is the right choice.
If you can live without a Pencil or only use it sparingly, the entry-level iPad is a more economical option, especially with a larger display ideal for streaming videos. However, if handwritten notes or sketches are part of your workflow, the iPad mini is a superior choice.
For those considering upgrading from the 2019 iPad mini, the answer is simple – yes, it is an upgrade, provided you are comfortable with the price. The new model is superior in almost every aspect.
Apple’s new iPad mini stands as a solid addition to their tablet lineup, offering a range of sizes from 8.3 inches to 12.9 inches. While certain niche applications may favor one model over another, from a general perspective, my initial skepticism about the iPad mini gave way to greater appreciation. I found it to be a delightful and compact powerhouse that I will likely be upgrading to, even if it means spending more than I anticipated.
