Apple iPad mini (2024) vs. iPad mini (2021): a difficult upgrade

The iPad mini has ever been a pocket-sized powerhouse, offering an Apple tablet acquisition successful a compact form. Initially, it catered to nan aforesaid assemblage arsenic nan larger iPads. Apple later positioned nan iPad mini to amended lucifer nan specs of nan iPad Air. After a three-year wait, Apple has yet unveiled nan caller iPad mini (2024). Has Apple fixed nan iPad mini nan attraction it deserves? Is now nan clip to upgrade?

Join america arsenic we research nan changes and similarities betwixt nan iPad mini (2021) and nan iPad mini (2024) and talk whether nan caller 1 is worthy an upgrade, aliases if you should hold and spot what Apple puts retired successful nan future.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): specs

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): creation and display

Apple

Stepping backmost successful clip from 2024 to 2021, you mightiness find yourself experiencing a spot of déjà vu erstwhile it comes to nan iPad mini. At first glance, nan 2 models are twins, sharing nan aforesaid sleek creation and compact dimensions. Hold nan caller iPad mini (2024) successful your hand, and you’ll beryllium greeted by nan acquainted comfortableness of its 7.69-inch by 5.3-inch frame. Peer into its vibrant 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, and you’ll beryllium met pinch nan aforesaid rich | colors and crisp specifications arsenic its predecessor. The show connected nan caller iPad mini (2024) besides offers nan aforesaid lukewarm clasp of True Tone technology, nan wide expanse of P3 color, and nan subtle shield of an anti-reflection coating.

The solution remains a respectable 2266 x 1488 astatine 326 pixels-per-inch (ppi), while nan highest brightness is still capped astatine 500 nits. Is location anyplace successful nan iPad mini (2024) ‘s creation and show that differs from nan erstwhile model?

The 1 creation alteration is that nan newer exemplary is disposable successful Space Gray, Purple, Starlight, and nan all-new Blue. The erstwhile exemplary offered nan aforesaid colors, isolated from alternatively of Blue, location was a Pink option.

Although location still isn’t an charismatic keyboard from Apple for nan caller iPad mini, this exemplary does support nan Apple Pencil Pro, dissimilar nan earlier model. If you person a USB-C Apple Pencil for your older iPad mini, past it’ll activity pinch nan caller 1 too.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): performance

Apple

Apple made a important alteration this twelvemonth successful position of capacity pinch nan iPad mini (2024). It now includes nan aforesaid A17 Pro chipset recovered successful nan iPhone 15 Pro series, whereas nan earlier exemplary featured an A15 Bionic chip. According to Apple, this results successful 30% faster CPU capacity and 25% faster graphics. We’ll trial this successful our reappraisal to spot if nan iPad mini (2024) lives up to these promises.

Thanks to nan caller chip, nan iPad mini (2024) becomes nan first iPad without an M1 spot aliases later to support Apple Intelligence. Those AI features, announced earlier this year, should get successful pieces pinch nan iOS 18.1/iPadOS 18.1 update successful conscionable a fewer weeks.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): cameras and battery

Apple

Apple iPads person ne'er been known for their camera systems. And yet, sometimes you request to threat a speedy pic, and for that, nan iPad mini (2024), for illustration nan earlier model, has you covered.

Apple has kept nan camera setup accordant pinch nan erstwhile generation, recognizing that for astir mini users, nan camera is simply a convenient instrumentality alternatively than a superior feature. There’s still a tin 12-megapixel wide camera connected nan backmost for mundane shots and a 12MP ultrawide beforehand camera pinch Center Stage that’s cleanable for those FaceTime calls pinch family and friends.

There are besides nary changes regarding artillery life. Expect to get betwixt 9 and 10 hours of usage betwixt charges.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): software

Apple

The iPad mini (2024) will support Apple Intelligence, bringing caller AI-powered features to iPads (and different Apple devices) for writing, focus, and communication. Though Apple Intelligence won’t vessel pinch nan newest iPad mini, nan first Apple Intelligence components should beryllium disposable arsenic a package upgrade successful nan coming days. The older iPad mini won’t tally Apple Intelligence astatine all, truthful support that successful mind if you’re funny astir Apple’s AI.

It’s besides worthy noting that nan iPad mini (2024) is expected to person much iPadOS updates than its predecessor. Although Apple hasn’t made an charismatic committedness regarding nan number of package updates its devices will get, it’s reasonable to expect astir 5 years of support.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): value and availability

Adam Doud / Digital Trends

The newest iPad mini, for illustration its predecessor, starts astatine $499 for nan entry-level model. However, this year, that’s a 128GB model, not 1 pinch only 64GB. You tin besides acquisition an iPad mini (2024) pinch 256GB aliases 512GB of storage. Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi+Cellular options are available.

Though Apple is nary longer trading nan iPad mini (2021), you mightiness beryllium capable to find 1 done a third-party retailer, astatine slightest for a while, and possibly astatine a discount.

The newer exemplary is now disposable for preorder, pinch nan first units group for merchandise connected October 23.

iPad mini (2024) vs iPad mini (2021): Should you upgrade?

Apple

The iPad mini (2024) presents a compelling dilemma for owners of nan 2021 model. Do you instrumentality pinch nan acquainted comfortableness of your existent iPad mini aliases return a leap of religion into nan enticing world of Apple Intelligence and enhanced performance?

The allure of nan caller iPad mini is undeniable. It’s not conscionable astir Apple Intelligence. It’s astir a important capacity boost acknowledgment to nan A17 Pro chip, nan expanded retention options that yet fto you download each those movies you’ve been eyeing, and nan imaginative possibilities unlocked by compatibility pinch nan Apple Pencil Pro.

But let’s look it. The deficiency of a dazzling caller show aliases a revolutionary camera strategy mightiness time off immoderate group emotion underwhelmed. If you were hoping for an OLED for nan iPad mini aliases a camera that rivals that of your iPhone, you’re not going to find it pinch this update.

So, nan mobility remains: Is Apple Intelligence and a capacity boost capable to warrant an upgrade? Or are you consenting to clasp retired for nan adjacent iteration, hoping for those long-awaited features for illustration OLED and a genuinely pro-grade camera system? The prime is yours, of course. For us, it’s not a large capable leap to warrant nan upgrade.