Everything you need to know about the new iPad Mini
I used to own an iPad Mini that I bought in 2013 and used fairly consistently until 2019 (when I took it back to an Apple Store to be recycled).
While it might seem odd to be talking about that much older iPad model, I wanted to include this right at the start of this review to be clear about how long I believe a well-cared-for iPad should last. Realistically, anybody buying the new iPad Mini should hope to get four, five or more years of use out of their tablet.
With that said, then, two statements should be true. Firstly, very few owners of the 2021 iPad Mini should be reading this article and looking to upgrade their model yet (unless there’s some key function or capability that it doesn’t have). And, secondly, anybody stepping up from the 5th generation iPad Mini released in 2019 to the brand-new 2024 model is about to experience a massive leap forward in power, screen size, portability and usability.
I’ve now been testing out the latest iPad Mini for just over a week to come to my verdict, so read on to find out what I made of all the latest additions to Apple’s tiniest tablet.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): At a glance
What’s new about the iPad Mini (2024)?
The big update in this model is the A17 Pro chip, which Apple also used in its iPhone 15 Pro. This change gives the Mini a bit of a speed boost. Apple has also doubled the base RAM to 8GB to keep it future-proofed and able to handle the upcoming Apple Intelligence (AI) features.
It now starts at 128GB of storage (up from 64GB), with 256GB and 512GB versions available (there was only a 256GB variant previously). Those extra sizes and increased base amount make for a big improvement if you’re like me and have no trouble using up all your device space with photos, apps, playlists and Netflix downloads. And we get two new colours. There's a blue and a purple now, alongside the classic "Space Grey" and a light champagne "Starlight" finish.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Design and display
While I understand the urge from many tech reviewers to criticise the lack of changes between the 2021 version and this new iPad Mini, I don't think those critiques are as relevant if you're upgrading from the 2019 version.
In comparison to that older iPad, this one has no home button and an edge-to-edge display (albeit with quite large black bezels) making it a larger 8.3-inch screen compared to the 7.9-inch panel on the 5th-generation Mini. It also has much-improved cameras, a USB-C port rather than Lightning for charging and data transfers, and a lighter weight.
Physically, the iPad Mini is nearly identical to its immediate predecessor, though. It’s still ultra-light at under 300 grams – it has a similar size to a Kindle Paperwhite and is only around 60g heavier than the Pro Max iPhone. If you need a small tablet, this is the one. I loved how easy it is to hold one-handed for reading or streaming, and it easily slips into a bag.
The display remains the same size as the previous one with the same brightness. While it would've been unexpected, it would’ve been great if Apple had updated the display technology here or at least increased its brightness. I think it's a shame that the maximum brightness is still 500 nits, as it has been on both the last two generations.
While it compares well to the M1 MacBook Air that I use for work, it lags behind other iPads, tablets and smartphones. Changing this could've made it much better for outdoor use, but at least the anti-glare finish is handy (something the 10th-generation iPad lacks).
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Processor and battery life
The A17 Pro chip makes this Mini more than capable of handling a wide range of tasks. It's about 30% faster than the last generation, and it feels snappy and speedy in use. Apps open quickly, and hopping between tasks or using more than 20 tabs in Safari at once doesn't faze this tablet.
I'm not the biggest mobile gamer, but I tested it with some casual games like Subway Surfers and side-scrollers like Inside, and I found the gameplay didn't stutter or lag. If you want to step it up, you can connect a USB-C gaming controller, but you’ll need to check which expandable ones fit (the Gamesir G8+ would, for example). The iPad Mini is versatile enough to handle both casual and more demanding gaming setups, which is a big plus if you’re picking it up for a gaming fan.
Battery life clocks in at about 10 hours, which is on par with other iPads. It’s plenty if you’re using it every now and then, although if you’re on a long flight or commute, it’s always sensible to bring a power bank.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Accessory support
With this iPad Mini, Apple added support for the Apple Pencil Pro, and that's a big deal if you're buying this to take notes or make digital art, or if you're buying it for a student.
The Pencil Pro brings in haptic feedback, hover gestures, and a clever “barrel roll” feature that makes it feel more responsive and more versatile. The hover preview shows exactly where your stroke will land, like a little shadow guiding your hand, which I found useful for jotting down notes. The new iPadOS adds the ability to complete your jotted-down calculations with "maths notes", which I can see being super helpful for students.
Of course, it is such a small tablet that the Pencil almost matches the tablet’s height, but it still feels balanced when holding it and writing on the screen. While it’s handy for quick sketches or annotations, the Mini’s super compact size makes it a bit cramped for bigger digital art projects and I feel certain that serious creatives would want a larger screen. But for on-the-go drawing, it’s still great.
One last important thing to mention is that the iPad Mini won’t support the same second-generation Apple Pencil as the last one did. That means you either have to go for the £129 Apple Pencil Pro or the slightly less capable £79 USB-C Apple Pencil, which is good for taking notes and marking up documents but lacks advanced features like haptic feedback, hover and barrel roll.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Software
The Mini runs on iPadOS 18, which comes with new customisation options just like iOS 18 on iPhone does. I was impressed with how well it handled multitasking, and “Split View” works smoothly on this size of iPad for using two apps side-by-side at once.
That said, the Mini isn’t really designed for heavy productivity. While I did connect a wireless keyboard and typed out a fair portion of this review on it, I’d still prefer the iPad Air or iPad Pro’s larger screens for multitasking.
Also, the iPad Mini doesn’t support Stage Manager for moving, resizing and organising several windows, which is no surprise since that would be challenging to manage on an 8.3-inch display.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Price
At £499, the new iPad Mini isn’t cheap, especially considering the entry-level iPad is £329, and the 11-inch iPad Air starts at £599. This one sits in between those two options and definitely fills a niche in the market.
I’d view it as a smaller version of the iPad Air, especially given its power, accessory support and screen quality. So, if you value portability and capability, it’s your best option and it’s not a tablet with many similarly-sized rivals.
Good Housekeeping’s verdict on the Apple iPad Mini (2024)
The iPad Mini (2024) is the best choice for anyone who wants a truly portable iPad with more power than most small tablets.
Yes, it’s not a huge leap from the previous model, so if you have the 2021 Mini, this isn’t a must-have upgrade. But if you’re coming from an older model or want your first iPad to be one that won’t weigh you down, this is the top choice.
With 128GB now the starting point, the Mini is now much better equipped for on-the-go entertainment. If you want to download films, TV programmes, playlists or podcasts for listening and watching while you’re not connected to the internet, this is an appreciable increase.
And, for creatives on the go, the Pencil Pro compatibility and boosted RAM make it a great companion. It wouldn’t be my first choice for productivity (although I do think the right iPad can replace a laptop), but those of you after a travel-friendly entertainment device will love the size and screen quality. It’s powerful, sleek, and lightweight. And, hopefully, when Apple Intelligence support arrives it’ll be even more capable too.
Apple iPad Mini (2024): Other models to consider
If you’re looking for a more affordable Apple tablet, the 2022 entry-level iPad offers great value, although it’s not as powerful as the Mini. If you want great accessory support and pro-level features, the iPad Air is the one I recommend to almost everyone. It occupies a sweet spot if you’d like either an 11-inch or 13-inch screen for multitasking but don’t want to go full iPad Pro.
All in all, the iPad Mini (2024) is the best small tablet for anyone who wants a powerful yet compact slate. You could get the older generation if you can find it at a much lower cost, but honestly, this new one is much better future-proofed with its extra storage, more RAM and faster chipset.
For anyone focused on reading, writing and streaming from a handheld device, the iPad Mini does almost everything you could want from a small tablet.
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