Apple iPad mini 6th Tablet (2021)
Product Gallery
Product Overview
The 2021 Apple iPad mini is the 6th iteration of the smallest tablet by Apple. It has a small (though larger than before) 8.3-inch IPS display with 100% DCI-P3 coverage and one of the highest pixel densities among Apple's current lineup. Inside, it is powered by an up-to-date A15 Bionic chipset and finally supports 5G cellular connections.
Apple's marketing team wants us to believe that the new iPad mini has an all-display design: while the bezels have shrunk and the display enlarged, the iPad mini is still a step away from the true all-display design found in the iPad Pro.
Inside, one can find an A15 Bionic chip that, according to Apple, delivers up to 80% improvement in performance than the previous iPad mini in GPU performance (40% in CPU performance). The new 16-core Neutral Engine helps the iPad mini to run machine learning applications twice as fast, too.
Like the case with the standard iPad 10.2 unveiled at the same time, the iPad mini 6th has an improved 12MP front-facing camera. Here, however, it supports Apple's "Center Stage" feature which allows the tablet to track the person in the video and digitally zoom in and out to include them in the video.
The most notable addition is the support for 5G cellular data.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Beautiful display
- Fast charging
- 5G connectivity
- Great battery life
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found***
External score 83% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Gorgeous 8.3-inch display with good contrast
- Excellent performance
- Excellent screen
- Decent performance
Cons
- Slow SoC
- Only 64GB of storage
- No aptX support
- Only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil
- Not HDR-capable
- More expensive than the iPad Pro
Price Comparison
Specifications
| WiFi | WiFi + LTE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Connectivity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ports | USB-C 3.1 GEN1 + Magnetic connector | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wireless Connectivity | WiFi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0 + optional 5G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Construction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery | Capacity | 19.3 Wh | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camera | Front | 12MP, f/2.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Camera | Rear | 12MP, f/1.8, 5x digital zoom | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colors | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Microphone | Dual microphones | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Speakers | Quad speakers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Depth | 6.3 mm / 0.25" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Height | 195.4 mm / 7.69" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Size | Width | 134.8 mm / 5.3" | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 293 g / 0.65" | 297 g / 0.66" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Display | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brightness | 500 nits | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display Diagonal | 8.3 inch | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Display Type | IPS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pixel Density | 326 ppi | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Function | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chipset | A15 Bionic chip | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GPS | Cellular model only | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics | 5-core GPU | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating System | iPadOS 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Temperature | 0-35 °C | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Processor | 6-core CPU | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sensor | Touch ID, Three‐axis gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer, Ambient light sensor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SIM | Nano SIM / eSIM 5G | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video Codecs | HEVC and H.264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video Recording | Front | FHD 60p | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video Recording | Rear | 4K 60p, FHD 240p | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Voice Assistance | Siri | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Power Supply | 20 W | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Storage | 64 or 256 GB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accessory | Supports Apple Pencil 2nd-gen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability | 2021-09-24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debut | 2021-09-14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
ndtv[1]
Reviewer score 91%The iPad, at just a hair under 500g, is almost the same weight as two new iPad minis. If you're used to taking a lot of notes with pen and paper, then you'll absolutely love using the iPad mini. The rear camera delivers pretty good results even indoors with less-than-ideal lighting. The front camera, on the other hand, is best left for video chats.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Bigger display
- Better battery life than previous iPad models
- Fast charging
Cons
- More expensive than the iPad Pro
androidauthority[2]
Reviewer score 59%, which is heads and tails above the previous model's A12 Bionic processor. The iPad Mini never missed a beat when streaming video, playing demanding games, or opening multiple apps in split-screen. It won't handle truly professional apps as smoothly as the iPad Pro lineup will, but then again, it isn't really designed to.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Sleek, lightweight design
- Excellent performance
- Great battery life
Cons
- Limited storage
- Only 64GB of storage
gsmarena[3]
Reviewer score 86%The latest iPad mini gets a lot of things right - the updated screen size and aspect change are very much welcome. It finally offers properly positioned speakers, there is a standard USB-C port, and the camera upgrades are significant, too. We immediately think of the Xiaomi Pad 5 when we need to recommend a more compact tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 costs and much as the iPad mini, and it is an all-powerful tablet that comes bundled with the most advanced S-Pen.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Gorgeous 8.3-inch display with good contrast
- S-Pencil 2 support
- Good battery life
Cons
- Not HDR-capable
- Screen isn't as great as we'd hoped
laptopmag[4]
Reviewer score 94%The iPad mini lasted for 10 hours and 56 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test. The 12-megapixel, f/1.8 camera takes decent photos so long as you aren't expecting smartphone quality. The iPad mini charges via a USB-C cable which you'll find in the box with a 20W adapter.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Slim bezels
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
Cons
- No 5G connectivity
notebookcheck[5]
Reviewer score 84%The iPad Mini 6 is still one of the most powerful tablets that are currently available. Even demanding HTML 5 contents won't slow down the tablet. The battery life continues to be convincing, the speakers produce a decent sound. The cameras take pictures that are acceptable for a tablet.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Very good battery life
- Modern design
- Decent performance
Cons
- Display could be brighter
- Slow SoC
- No aptX support
pcmag[6]
Reviewer score 83%The iPad mini and the Pencil are small enough that you can easily use the pair to take notes on the go. The iPad Pro lineup is the closest you'll get from Apple to a full-fledged laptop replacement. The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a solid, budget-friendly choice if you're looking for a very basic portable tablet.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Small and light
- Excellent battery life
- Excellent front-facing camera
Cons
- Only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil
t3[7]
Reviewer score 88%There's a new rear camera here, that's a major upgrade over the previous model. It's a 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle camera, and it takes lovely shots. It lets in a ton of light, meaning colours are vibrant and details are sharp. The front camera has had a very different, but equally huge, upgrade. It now support Centre Stage, which means the camera can follow you across the room during video calls without the iPad moving at all.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Great-looking screen
- Excellent battery life
- Great camera
Cons
- Screen feels overly small
- Only supports Apple Pencil 1
tomsguide[8]
Reviewer score 86%The 8.3-inch iPad mini 6 is too small to allow for a keyboard with decently-sized keys. We love the iPad mini's support for the Apple Pencil 2nd Gen, though, because it's simply easier to use. The iPad mini 2021 is the perfect size for a second screen on my desk.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Excellent screen
- Excellent performance
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- No Apple Pencil 2nd Gen
- No Magic Keyboard
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ iPad Mini (2021) Review: Pocketable, but Is It Pocket-Friendly?. [ndtv]. https://gadgets.ndtv.com/tablets/reviews/ipad-mini-review-apple-2021-sixth-gen-a15-bionic-display-performance-features-2579183. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
- ^ Apple iPad Mini (2021) review: This one's just right. [androidauthority]. https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-ipad-mini-2021-review-3031312/. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ Apple iPad mini 6th gen (2021) review. [gsmarena]. https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_ipad_mini_6_2021-review-2329p7.php. 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
- ^ Apple iPad mini 6 review (2021). [laptopmag]. https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/ipad-mini-6. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
- ^ Apple iPad Mini 6 review – Apple's attractive, small tablet with 5G. [notebookcheck]. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Apple-iPad-Mini-6-review-Apple-s-attractive-small-tablet-with-5G.573625.0.html. 2021-10-18. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
- ^ Apple iPad mini (2021) Review. [pcmag]. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-ipad-mini-2021. 2021-10-05. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
- ^ Apple iPad mini (6th Gen) review: the small tablet reaches its ultimate form. [t3]. https://www.t3.com/reviews/ipad-mini-6-review. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-10-20.
- ^ Apple iPad mini 6 (2021) review: Awesome and ultraportable. [tomsguide]. https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/apple-ipad-mini-6-2021. 2021-09-22. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
The MSRP provided on this page may not apply to all regions equally. For the current price, please refer to the Price Comparison section.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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