- VERDICT
Apple's latest iPad mini is tiny but mighty with all the features and performance you'd expect from the larger iPads in a compact, versatile form factor that you can carry anywhere. On the list of good things coming in small packages then the iPad mini should be right at the top.
You’ve heard the old saying “good things come in small packages”. That couldn’t be truer when referring to Apple’s new iPad mini – the most compact and portable iPad you can buy.
The latest version has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, is just 6.3mm thin and weighs just 293g. It’s small enough to hold in your hand.
And that small size is what makes it attractive to a wide range of customers.
iPad mini comes in four finishes including a new blue and purple along with starlight and space grey.
Yes, it does everything a larger iPad will do and has impressive processing to back that up, but it’s all housed in this smaller form factor.
Touch ID is also built into the top button so you can unlock iPad mini in an instant.
It’s an ideal choice for students, professionals, road warriors and pilots.
We’ve heard use cases ranging from doctors and nurses using iPad mini on their rounds and pilots being able to replace mountains of paperwork with a device as small as iPad mini while fitting neatly in their lap while they’re behind the controls in the cockpit.
This size that can neatly fit in your hand is also ideal for readers – users have access to the Kindle and Kobo apps as well as, of course, Apple Books which is preloaded on the device.
The device is powered by the A17 Pro chip, and we found it offered an amazing performance boost from the last model.
And the good news is this chip will be able to power the exciting upcoming Apple Intelligence and offer a new world of features designed to make you more productive, more creative and more efficient.
Apple Intelligence can be used to change the tone of a message, check for spelling and grammatical errors or summarise large documents and emails as well as taking control and using your photo library, editing images and generating your own images and drawings.
Of course, we couldn’t review these features at this time as Apple Intelligence won’t be available in Australia until December.
But that’s not to say the new iPad mini doesn’t already offer a host of features and possibilities.
One feature in particular, compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro, will be attractive to many users especially students who can take advantage of the device’s smaller size to use as their notebook.
Apple Pencil Pro attaches magnetically to the side of iPad mini so it can both pair and charge at the same time.
Apple Pencil Pro has a new squeeze feature which can bring up a tool palette and quickly switch tools and colours without having to access a menu and go out of your project.
For us we found this was the most popular use where we were able to jot notes and drawings and create reminders and to do lists.
We also loved the Scribble feature on iPad mini which allowed us to write in any text entry field and watch our handwriting magically converted to text.
And iPadOS 18 unlocks the host of new capabilities when using the Apple Pencil Pro.
These include Maths Notes which lets you solve your equations even when writing them out with the answer magically appearing as soon as you add an equal sign.
iPad mini also provided us with a more comfortable viewing experience when browsing social media, websites and using apps.
And with the power of the A17 Pro chip behind it, it is a more than capable device which can handle sophisticated apps along with the latest cutting-edge games.
Speaking of games, the ipad mini is the gateway to an excellent gaming experience with access to apple arcade as well as numerous other titles.
iPad mini will not disappoint thanks to its boosted CPU and GPU performance along with 4x faster than software-based Ray Tracing plus support for Dynamic Caching and hardware accelerated Mesh Shading.
Your mobile gaming will never look better.
We think the iPad mini will be attractive to gamers who find their iPhone too small and the larger iPads too unwieldy to enjoy the experience.
On the camera side, there’s a 12MP back camera which offers impressive high resolution images and can shoot 4K video with HDR 4 support.
On the front is a12MP ultra-wide camera which enables Centre Stage, so you’re always centred during your FaceTime and video calls.
Interestingly, Apple has kept the front camera along the shorter top edge of the device unlike the larger iPads which have relocated this camera on the landscape edge.
We think the fact that iPad mini is small enough to hold in your hand like a phone is the reason why they kept the camera in its current position.
Connectivity wise, the iPad mini has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and connects wirelessly through Wi-Fi 6E – it’s a shame this brand new model didn’t go all the way to Wi-Fi 7 like the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.
Simultaneous Dual Band means you can connect to multiple wi-fi devices at the same time.
For example, you could be browsing the web and connecting to Apple TV at the same time.
It also has Bluetooth 5.3 on board and, if you opt for the cellular model, you’ll be able to connect via 5G.
There’s also an eSIM on board so it makes it easier to sign up to data plans if you’re travelling.
It’s as easy as scanning a QR code to sign up for a cellular data service.
There is no keyboard accessory available for iPad mini – but you can purchase a Smart Folio cover which matches the new colours to compliment the new iPad mini finishes – light violet, denim, charcoal grey and sage.
Smart Folio attaches magnetically to iPad mini and protects the screen and the rear panel.
The iPad mini wakes up automatically when you open it and puts it to sleep when you close it again.
PRICING
The iPad mini, available in blue, purple, Starlight and space grey, goes is available now and is priced at $799 (128GB Wi-Fi Only), $979 (256GB Wi-Fi Only), $1,049 (128GB Wi-FI + Cellular), $1,229 (256GB, Wi-Fi +Cellular), $1,329 (512GB, Wi-Fi Only) and $1,579 (512GB Wi-Fi + Cellular).
VERDICT
Apple’s latest iPad mini is tiny but mighty with all the features and performance you’d expect from the larger iPads in a compact, versatile form factor that you can carry anywhere. On the list of good things coming in small packages then the iPad mini should be right at the top.
