The revised iPad mini is practically a completely new device, but along with general improvements, it has a much higher price.
I used to choose the iPad mini because you wanted the smallest size. And you wanted enough that at $ 399, you’d be willing to pay about $ 70 more than the cost of the regular iPad.
After the introduction of the iPad mini 6, size is not the only reason to buy. In contrast, the small iPad mini could have a bigger and better screen than before and also has a faster processor than the iPad Air 4.
Plus, it has USB-C and can have 5G, plus all the cameras are considerably improved, and the new iPad mini 6 is a powerful device. It might be the only device you need, but that power and flexibility comes at a higher price.
The new iPad mini now starts at $ 499 for the Wi-Fi-only model. If you need all the new features, it’s definitely worth raising the $ 100, but that doesn’t allow you to do it all.
To get 5G connectivity too, you have to pay from $ 649. That’s $ 150 more, with the previous iPad mini 5 model, which would add a little less to an additional $ 130.
You can choose whether you want to have 5G or not, although you have to make that decision at the time of purchase. Otherwise, however, you will pay for all other additional features and enhancements, whether you use them or not.
Apple stopped selling the iPad mini 5 when the new version was announced, but there are still stocks at other retailers like Amazon. If you are really drawn to the size of the iPad mini, check out the exact differences between the models to see which one is the best buy for your needs.
iPad mini 6 versus iPad mini 5: specifications
| iPad mini 6 | iPad mini 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial price) | $ 499 | $ 399 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 | 8.0 x 5.3 x 0.24 |
| Weight (free) Wi-Fi only | 0.65 | 0.66 |
| Processor | A15 Bionic | A12 Bionic |
| Storage | 64 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 256 GB |
| Show Tyoe | 8.3-inch liquid retina with real tone, 500-night brightness | 7.9-inch retina with True Tone, 500-night brightness |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 at 326ppi | 2048 x 1536 at 326 ppi |
| Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz), Gigabit LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5 | 4G LTE, Gigabit LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Pila | Up to 10 hours | Up to 10 hours |
| Rear camera | 12 MP magnification, f / 1.8 aperture, 5x digital zoom, Smart HDR for photos, four LED True Tone flash | 8 MP width, f / 2.4 aperture, 5x digital zoom, automatic HDR for photos |
| Rear camera video | 4K at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps or 1080p HD at 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps; 3x zoom; Slow-Mo 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps; extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps | 1080p HD at 30 fps, 3x zoom; slow 720p at 120 fps |
| Front camera | Ultra wide 12 MP, f / 2.4 aperture, Retina Flash, Smart HRD 3 for photos | FaceTime HD, 7MP photos, f / 2.2 aperture, Retina Flash, Auto HDR for photos |
| Front camera video | 1080p HD video at 25, 30 or 60 fps | 1080p HD video |
| Central stage | Yes | No |
| Connector | USB-C | Lightning |
| Apple Pencil support | Second generation | First generation |
| Audio | Horizontal mode of two speakers | Audio of two speakers |
| Touch ID | On the top sleep / wake button | On the Home button |
| Colours | Space gray, pink, purple, starlight | Space gray, silver, gold |
USB-C means the iPad mini can now connect to more devices and transfer data faster
iPad mini 6 versus iPad mini 5: physical specifications
If you want a small iPad, the iPad mini 6 is smaller than its predecessor, mostly. And just for a bit.
The latest version actually is 0.01 inches thick than before, but weighs 0.01 pounds less. And while the 5.2-inch width remains the same, the height is now 7.69 inches instead of 8 inches.
Even with this change in height, you really should look at the two versions side by side to notice. And then what you would see first is the screen difference.
By removing the home button and thinner frames, Apple has been able to increase the screen size diagonally from 7.9 inches to 8.3. It’s not even half an inch longer, but it’s noticeable and a clear improvement.
iPad mini 6 vs. iPad mini 5: screens
It helps that the screen is now liquid retina. Although it improves on the normal Retina display of the previous model, it continues to use LCD instead of OLED.
But it does mean that the iPad mini 6 uses the same technology as the iPad Arr and iPad Pro. And it has a higher resolution than any of these, at 326 dpi.
iPad mini 6 versus iPad mini 5: cameras
It’s still not as useful, or perhaps socially acceptable, to take photos and videos on an iPad mini instead of an iPhone. Still, it’s much easier on an iPad mini 6 than on a 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Which means camera enhancements with the iPad mini 6 are very welcome. Of course, if you make a video or take pictures with it, or is what you use for video meetings.
The main rear camera is now a 12MP Ultra Wide, where it was previously 8MP Wide. It is now capable of recording video in 4K instead of 1080p HD, and doing so at different frame rates.
At the same time, the front camera used to have 720p. It is now also a 12MP Ultra Wide, in addition to being able to record 1080p video.
The new iPad mini 6 has a much improved rear camera
iPad mini 6 versus iPad mini 5: general connectivity
Depending on the work you do, one improvement that can be significant is that the iPad mini 6 uses USB-C. This means that it can be connected directly to more devices, such as cameras.
And it also means that data can be moved to and from the iPad mini much faster, assuming you have a properly provisioned network.
There are also speed improvements with wireless connectivity. The iPad mini 6 has Wi-Fi 6, for example, where the previous model supports slower 802.11ac Wi-Fi, also called Wi-Fi 5.
iPad mini 6 vs. iPad mini 5: Should I upgrade?
The improvements from the original iPad mini to the second-generation model were tiny compared to the differences between the iPad mini 5 and the iPad mini 6. That said, the new features would make the iPad mini 6 worthwhile. upgrade to the previous model, assuming I will use these features.
You will definitely benefit from a better and bigger screen, for example, regardless of what you are using the iPad mini for. But you may not care about faster USB-C data transfers.
Currently, the price increase is also aggravated if you are a new user if you want to get the previous iPad mini 5..
If you’re an existing iPad mini 5 user who primarily likes this model for the convenience of its smaller size, stick to your old device.
But if you upgrade the iPad mini 6, you’ll have an incredibly capable device, in a small package.