Verdict
18 months after its passing , the iPad Mini 6 remains the best modest pad around , though the terms still makes it a very recess equipment . If it ’s the sizing that matters , however , then the design , performance and accessory support are all fantastic here .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
It ’s happened – Apple has at long last redesigned the iPad Mini , ditch the chunky bezel and update it with many of the feature article I ’ve get laid on other modern iPads .
‘ Mini ’ devices have had something of a Renascence in Apple ’s production lines in recent years , headline by the iPhone 13 Mini and now the completely redesignediPad Mini 6 .
These remain corner devices , so much so that the iPhone 13 mini was the last small - screen iPhone to be resign , but it ’s great to see that Apple is at least trying to point audiences who favour smaller tech .
This is really the first time the iPad Mini has been redesign , with all previous models looking very much the same . weigh the first machine date back to 2012 , this refresh up has been a long time coming .
Design and screen
Apple care to tout many U.S.A. for the iPad Mini 6 , include being a buddy for original , but I ’d assume that the majority of sept will habituate it as a media consumption machine , which slips into just about any bag with relaxation .
The iPad Mini 6 ( or 6th - multiplication ) is modelled after the latestiPad Air . It looks innovative , with a screen that push closer to the edges and no home clitoris in quite a little .
Touch ID , the main form of biometric unlocking , has been run inside of the power push , while the book keys are also now on the top – a change that took me a few Day of use to properly get used to .
Like the iPad Air and iPad Pro , the new Mini has flat side and a flat back . It also come in a variety of colours , include the pinkish hue seen in the sample images include with this inspection .
Also like the iPad Air and iPad Pro , it replace the Lightning port with USB - ascorbic acid and ditches the earpiece jack , press you to habituate wireless or USB - C headphones .
It ’s loose enough to grip comfortably in one hand for Kindle reading Roger Sessions , or for watching video on a busy train . It will agree nicely inside a becoming - sized handbag too , or a back pocket on some emphatically baggy trouser . This really does feel like the iPad that can go anywhere .
The show itself impresses less than the overall design , but I ’d say that ’s because I ’ve been screw up by the OLED panel on late iPhones and the miniskirt - LED on the bighearted iPad Pro .
The 60Hz ( apologies to those hop for 120HzProMotion ) LCD here is perfectly fine . It hits around 450 nits of cleverness , cover a comely portion of the DCI - P3 gamut , and is PIN number - sharp . But , when compared to OLED , the coloration just do n’t plug as firmly and blacks tend to look more grey . This is especially detectable with those bars that baby-sit around widescreen subject ; compare the coloring material to the actual black bezel and you ’ll see what I ’m speak about .
Some have complained about issues of ‘ jelly curlicue ’ here , where one one-half of the concealment moves slightly slower than the other , leading to a jelly effect when you ’re moving through content in the portraiture preference . I ca n’t say that I ’ve come across such an publication , or at least it has n’t been obvious to the bare eye , but it does certainly seem like a job many are experiencing .
Performance
It might be Mini on the outside , but this iPad palpate Pro inside . There ’s the sameA15 Bionicchipset powering the tablet as you ’ll discover on theiPhone 13andiPhone 13 Proalong with 4 GB of RAM .
The storage situation is n’t quite as positive . The base interpretation is a stingy 64 GB , which feel meager for a gimmick of this price , while the 256 GB option requires a significant jump in the immediate payment you ’ll have to part with , making this tablet even more niche . It seems like a 128 GB model would have been the sweet bit .
The A15 is no longer Apple ’s latest buffalo chip , being supersede by thenewer A16 BioniciniPhone 14 Prodevices , though it still make for suitably speedy performance . All the games I played from Apple Arcade , include intensive titles such as The Pathless , ran without a duty tour . geminate up a comptroller and this is arguably the best - sized iPad for play on the go .
The small size makes it less of a productivity beast than the iPad Air and iPad Pro , even though it ’s technically just as capable . There ’s enough oink here for RAW photo redaction , decent video redaction and the like – just be aware that the smaller video display is n’t ideal for these sort of tasks .
you could see Apple is n’t positioning this gimmick as a true workhorse , since it does n’t include the handy Smart Connector you ’ll feel on other iPads . This stand for you ’ll have to unite up keyboards via Bluetooth , and there ’s no official keyboard accessory . This credibly score signified , though : a Magic Keyboard at this size would hardly be ideal .
While there ’s no Magic Keyboard , support for the excellent Apple Pencil is included . And it ’s no longer the older version ; it ’s the magnetically charging interpretation that sticks to the side of the gimmick , and that does n’t command plugging into the Lightning interface for saddle . Finally .
I love using the Apple Pencil ( an extra £ 119/$129 ) with the iPad Mini 6 , since it turns the gimmick into a fantastical picayune notebook computer for jot down thoughts.iOSalso has a ready to hand Quick Note feature film that allow you take down annotation without start the full app .
If you desire to make the iPad Mini 6 even more portable , there ’s an option to corrupt it with 5 G connectivity . you may then pop in a SIM ( or use an eSIM ) and get online away from WI - Fi . If you ’re in the USA , then it ’s important to observe there is n’t funding for the mmWave 5 G meshwork used by carriers such as Verizon . Instead , it ’s the sub-6GHz adaptation . Considering there ’s no mmWave 5 one thousand in the UK ( yet ) , and even Apple ’s iPhones do n’t send with the technical school here , it is n’t a reason to avoid this tablet on these shoring .
There are two camera on the iPad Mini 6 , although it ’s only really the front 12 - megapixel whole that ’s interesting . This selfie tv camera uses the same Center Stage tech first introduced in the iPad Pro 2021 . When you ’re on a video call – be it on Zoom , FaceTime or something else – the ultra - wide camera can follow you around and surge in depend on your movement . This works fantastically well , especially when you ’re not only pose down for a video call .
The 12 - megapixel camera on the rear of the iPad Mini 6 is pair off up with a little flash and takes perfectly adequate snaps . It capture plenty of detail , which makes it ideal for AR demos and conquer papers to signalise .
The iPad Mini 6 ab initio shipped with iPadOS 15 , though it got the upgrade toiPadOS 16 in September 2022 . The experience is very much the same across the range and that can be , at sentence , an takings for the small model .
There are sure UI element that feel overly small here , especially the widgets on the homescreen . The weather condition widget , for example , is dinkier than the same widget on aniPhone 14 Pro Max ; the same can be said for the smallest size of widget in cosmopolitan . It feels like this screen needs a more bespoke version of the software program .
However , there are many areas in which the software is in force than that on the earpiece – even the Max versions . you could have multiple apps open side - by - side at once , with a video player windowpane start out too . I ’m still amazed that this is n’t uncommitted on the Max phone . It ’s great to be able to have both Twitter and Safari open at once .
Battery life
The iPad Mini 6 ditches the Lighting embrasure of its predecessor , replacing it with the more modern USB - C connecter . If you have a recent MacBook or Android phone – or even aNintendo Switch – then you ’ll likely be very familiar with this type of connector .
USB - C is great . Not only is it used by a wide change of devices over Lightning , but it enable support for a multitude of accessories . you could tie a USB - blow to SD card reader , for deterrent example , to transport snaps from a television camera .
The iPad Mini 6 also charges quicker than the older mini iPads , with a full charge taking around two hour with the included 20W power adapter .
In terms of real survival , my test position the iPad Mini 6 sits just below the iPad Air 4 . However , how long the twist lasts will really bet on how it ’s used . If you force it day by day with labored apps such as Lightroom , LumaFusion and lots of picture streaming , the iPad Mini 6 is unlikely to live beyond a day of use . If it ’s more a commuting putz , for shorter bouts of meter reading and streaming , then you ’ll get a good few days before it needs a recharge . Standby metre is salutary , so it wo n’t drain too quickly if it ’s just allow for in a travelling bag .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
This is easily the best minuscule tablet around . It has the power and acquirement to get stuff done – and you could even play some of the best game on iOS on it .
If you want a productivity workhorse then we ’d intimate opting for the iPad Air instead . The small screen here is better for casual watching over right work .
Final Thoughts
The iPad Mini 6 is n’t go to be for everyone ; however , it ’s a lovely little pad that sits in an arena where it has virtually no competition . If a small pill is what you ’re looking for then this remains the best choice in 2023 .
The design of this machine volunteer a huge upgrade over previous models , the A15 Bionic will serve you well for yr , and it ’s great to see USB - C ultimately adopted here .
If it ’s just a general tablet you ’re after then theiPad Air 5 ( 2022)is the better selection . The big screen is dependable for productivity and it has the Smart Connector for those keyboard accessories .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every fluid earphone we review thoroughly . We use industry standard mental test to compare feature film right and we use the telephone as our main gimmick over the review period . We ’ll always tell you what we find and we never , ever , have money to review a product .
FAQs
Yes , both the charger and transmission line are included .
No , you ’ll need to buy the Apple Pencil one by one .
No – the iPad Mini 6 features an LCD panel .
