The iPad mini is now, officially, the oldest iPad that Apple still makes — and that means one thing as the launch of a new one seems closer and closer. Incredible price drops over the likes of Prime Day, just like the one we've got today!

The Prime Day sales have begun today, and with the launch of Apple's sale has come the best price we've ever seen on the smallest iPad model. That's an incredible $120 saving on full price for the iPad mini on all the different color options, so you can choose exactly the iPad you want. At this price, it looks like the iPad could sell out quickly, so we'd recommend speed if you want to make sure you don't miss out on one of the best iPad Prime Day deals we've ever seen.

iPad mini lowest price ever in Prime Day sale

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

The iPad mini is one of the best iPads for reading, with its clear screen and supremely manageable display size. It's also perfect for students who want to take notes at lectures and classes, and combined with an Apple Pencil, it's the perfect drawing companion. We're big fans of the iPad mini and its diminutive size, and we'd recommend anyone pick one up in a heartbeat — especially at this price.

If you’ve been waiting to buy a new iPad, Amazon is currently offering the fantastic iPad mini 6 for less than $400.

With a week to go before Amazon Prime Day begins on July 16-17, we’re already seeing a bunch of great Prime Day Apple deals that are well worth looking into. This latest bargain is no exception. We should also mention that, while you can buy the 64GB iPad mini 6 model for $399 thanks to this deal, you can also save $100 on the 256GB tablet.

Released back in September 2021, the iPad mini 6 was redesigned to resemble its bigger counterparts, such as the iPad Air and iPad Pro. Packed with an A15 Bionic chip, a USB-C port, Touch ID on the power button, and much more, all within an 8.3-inch display, it’s the best iPad mini currently available.

Size doesn’t matter when it comes to deals like this

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

Apple’s smallest tablet is perfect for reading comics, consuming videos, and playing games, especially emulators that allow apps to mimic certain systems or handhelds. If you fall into any of these use-case categories, an iPad mini could be the perfect purchase!

If you’ve decided to take advantage of this deal, why stop there? There are a bunch of accessories you can grab to help protect your new iPad. If you like to be creative with Apple's tablets, consider the Apple Pencil 2, which works perfectly with this iPad mini. Walmart is offering the drawing pen for $79.99, a saving of $50.

More from iMore

• Prime Day iPhone Deals 2024
• Prime Day Apple Watch Deals 2024
• Prime Day MacBook and Mac Deals 2024
• Prime Day iPad Deals 2024
• Prime Day AirPods Deals 2024
• Prime Day HomeKit Deals 2024

Popular YouTuber, artist, and designer Scott Yu-Jan has combined two unlikely Apple products to create one of the most impressive DIY Apple docks we've ever seen. 

Dubbed the 'Macintosh Studio', Yu-Jan's project is a Mac Studio iPad dock inspired by the design of Apple's original Macintosh. In a recent video, he explains how his need for an iPad dock and time spent at his desk had led him to create a 3D printed stand that houses both his tablet and Mac Studio desktop machine. Sealing the deal, he realized that Apple's best iPad for reading, the iPad mini 6, and one of the best Macs, the Mac Studio, are identical in width, a match made in heaven. 

The stunning final product reveals the 3D-printed shell of a Macintosh sat atop the Mac Studio, with cable management built in to keep the iPad fully charged. 

Meet the Macintosh Studio

Thanks to the power of macOS Sonoma and iPadOS 17, screen mirroring allows the iPad mini 6 to serve as a wireless external monitor for the Mac Studio, perfect as a viewing window for YouTube videos or a music player. Of course, it can also be used with an Apple Pencil for sketching or writing ideas down, too. 

Yu-Jan reveals the ingenious design of the shell, which includes a button to safely eject the iPad, a retractable hanger for his AirPods Max, and a rear storage tray for storing his Mac's external hard drives. He even created a colorful version to pay homage to the old iMac G3. 

Naturally, because the Mac Studio and the Mac mini are also the same size, the design can also be tweaked to fit Apple's more diminutive desktop model. Yu-Jan's design is right up there with a 3D-printed Macintosh Plus we reported on last week. That home project involved a $13 computer running a Mini vMAC emulator on Linux. 

More from iMore

• This 3D-printed Apple Vision Pro stand keeps your $3,499+ headset safe
• Don't want to buy an AirTag holder? 3D print your own instead!
• Use this 3D-printed tool to remove the power cord from your Studio Display

The iPhone SE, Apple Watch SE and iPad (2021) all have one thing in common – they act as the cheapest, entry-level models in Apple’s many beloved product ranges, from smartphones and smartwatches to tablets and laptops (and many other Apple devices we won’t get into here).

But if you’re buying one of these Apple models for the first time, you may not be sure whether the cheapest option is necessarily the best one for you. It’s easy to worry about missing out on key features, or feel pressured to push for a model that’s actually a little out of your budget.

We’re here to tell you that the cheaper Apple models do exist for a reason – to offer a distilled product experience at a more reasonable cost, even if the luxury Apple brand adds something of a price premium across the board.

So if you’re eyeing up the iPhone SE, the iPad (2021), or the Apple Watch SE, here’s what you need to consider before making a final purchase.

iPhone SE: the pocket-sized smartphone

Smartphones are bigger than ever, thanks to increasingly bezel-free screens, improved display technology, and the pressure to both capture and witness high-quality video in the social media age. But for those who are content with a smaller phone, one that actually fits in a pocket comfortably and can be easily navigated with a single hand, the iPhone SE (‘Special Edition’) is a great alternative.

2022's 3rd-generation model comes with a 4.7-inch display, which is about a 20% size reduction compared to the new 6.1-inch iPhone 15. The SE has the same aluminum construction and glass back as that model, just without the screen-strengthening Ceramic Shield that most iPhones have had since the iPhone 12. The A15 Bionic chipset is still pretty capable (the iPhone 15 is only using the A16, after all), though you won’t get Face ID or even the USB-C connections of more recent handsets (Lightning cable it is.)

That size reduction does have a big impact on camera quality, mind. Due to the smaller build of the smartphone, it’s harder to fit in multiple lenses – and the iPhone SE makes do with a single 12MP camera and 1x optical zoom instead of the 48MP Ultra Wide versions and 0.5-5x zoom found in newer Apple smartphones. Limited space for a battery means the SE also has a projected 15-hour battery life for constant video playback, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers double that amount.

A few trade-offs, then, but for media-light Apple consumers after a more convenient size and shape, the iPhone SE has plenty to recommend it.

• iPhone SE review

iPad (2021): the entry-level tablet

The ninth-generation iPad released in 2021 – and while it's not technically the smallest iPad available, it is the cheapest model available right now.

This is the default iPad choice for most. With a 10.2-inch screen, companion stylus, and $329 price tag, it offers the basic Apple tablet experience for those after it. This 2021 model comes with 64GB and 256GB storage options, an 8MP rear camera with 1080p video, and an A13 Bionic chipset that's getting a little long in the tooth these days.

The issue is that there's a newer 10th-generation iPad (2022), one that packs in an A14 processor, an improved neural engine, a 10.9-inch screen, and a jump to 4K video on its 12MP rear camera. It also comes with a USB-C port instead of the Lightning input of the ninth-generation model. Notably, you'll need the newer iPad to get 5G cellular instead of 4G, too.

You're paying a little more at $449 for the base model, mind, but the ninth-generation iPad has fallen behind on a few metrics, from its cable standards and cellular connectivity to video quality and more. It's still a good buy for those after a simpler experience, but likely won't be on the market in another year or two.

As a side note, the compact 8.3-inch iPad mini is actually pricier than both of these models, starting at $499 – despite its smaller size, it largely matches the specification of the 10th-generation iPad, but with a speedier A15 Bionic processor, improved P3 color range, and support for the Apple Pencil 2, it should feel a little more luxurious.

The iPad Pro (2022) or iPad Air 5 models ship with Apple’s newer M-class processors and offer more complex CPU and GPU setups, so you should know you’re not getting top-class performance in the 2021 iPad, which won’t be quite as equipped at complex computing tasks, or anything related to gaming (say, on Apple Arcade).

However, all of these models are notably cheaper than the $599 iPad Air or the $1,099 iPad Pro 12.9-inch, and that may be enough to sway someone after a starter iPad.

• iPad (2021) review

Apple Watch SE: the simplest Apple smartwatch

We’re now on the second iteration of the Apple Watch SE (or ‘Special Edition’). As with the iPhone SE, those two letters point to a distilled product experience in a slightly cheaper package, with the Apple Watch SE 2 starting at $249 instead of the $399 price tag of the Apple Watch Series 9 or the $799 RRP of the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

The Apple Watch SE offers broadly the same experience as its pricier siblings, with the same WatchOS interface experience, 99% of the same apps, and similar sizing options to the Series 9 (albeit 40mm/44mm rather than 41mm/45mm). Like the others, it should be a joy for those who like sleek Apple hardware, and want a smartwatch that syncs with an iPhone, allows for hands-free calls, offers contactless Apple Pay, and much much more.

However, $250 is notably cheaper than the standard model, and that means it comes with some predictable downgrades. The display has a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, which is half the luminance of the Series 9, and lacks the latter’s ‘always on’ feature. Additionally, you have to make do without double tap gestures, the precise iPhone finding feature, or the speedy on-device Siri processing found on higher-end models.

You may feel a little intimidated by the health tech packed into most Apple smartwatches, and worry about missing out on important sensors. But even the SE model comes with a heart rate tracker, and notifications that point to irregular rhythms or ‘low cardio fitness’ (we get it, we’ve been sitting at a desk all day). 

You have to make do without a Blood Oxygen sensor – or the ECG (electrocardiogram) app that can spot signs of Atrial Fibrillation, also known as ‘arrhythmia’, which can lead to “blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications” (American Heart Association). But these are quite specialist functions and not a necessity for casual consumers. 

For all but the most committed (or most health conscious) Apple die-hards, the Apple Watch SE should suffice – until we get a truly minimalist Apple smartwatch, at least.

• Apple Watch SE review

I’ve owned a 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro for a couple of years, and although it’s one of the best iPads I’ve owned, I’ve reached a point where I don’t see the need for it. The tablet’s 120Hz ProMotion screen and four-way speakers have been great while watching videos, but I’ve recently been using it far less, ever since iPadOS 17 arrived in September.

Apple has consistently angled the iPad Pro to be the best in its tablet lineup, but I see the iPad mini as being more worthy of that title. You see, I’ve always seen an iPad as more of a consumption device rather than one for productivity. Indeed, you can write a novel with a writing app like Ulysses, or edit a video with Final Cut Pro but iPadOS still feels like the crux to the iPad’s success.

The iPad hardware is fantastic, but there comes a time when the software can’t meet my needs, so I go back to the Mac to finish off the work. I’ve come across this wall several times when writing something or using Stage Manager, iPad’s latest answer to multitasking — it crashes, it lags, and some apps have a lack of features compared to the same ones you can use on macOS.

I was hoping to see an iPad mini 7 by this point in the year, but rumors scuppered that hope. To now see a 64GB purple iPad mini 6 for £527, down from £569 as Cyber Monday wraps up for another year, has me tempted to make the switch from an iPad Pro to the smaller model. Apart from its size and price, the smaller design offers other benefits that make me think it will fit better into my life than the larger iPad Pro.

• iPad U.S deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

I have an early New Year's resolution to read far more than I have this year. I have a Kindle, but I find it cumbersome due to its design and how laggy everything feels when browsing my library. I’ve also been wanting to resubscribe to Marvel's Unlimited service, where I can download a bunch of graphic novels featuring Spider-Man, X-Men, and more. With an 8.3-inch display, the iPad mini is a perfect size for reading all kinds of stories from different genres. The 120Hz ProMotion display is also absent in the smaller tablet, but I don’t see the need for it when I’m reading static pages.

Watching videos on the iPad Pro has always been a great experience, but since owning an iPhone 15 Pro Max, I’ve found myself watching more videos on that 6.7-inch display instead. Combine it with an Anker MagSafe Battery Bank that props the iPhone up at an angle, you've got my preferred way to consume content.

Lastly, there’s also the size factor. I usually have a bag with me that houses my MacBook Pro, a bunch of USB-C wires, Sony XM5 headphones, and my Steam Deck for gaming. When you add an iPad Pro it’s overkill. Software-wise, the Mac does everything I want that you can do in an iPad Pro anyway, and at times, better — much in part to what you can do in macOS compared to iPadOS. From installing applications that aren’t available in the Mac App Store, to a desktop experience that’s been refined ever since the arrival of Mac OS X in 2000. It’s simply nicer and more enjoyable to use for me.

The size of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, especially when it’s combined with the Magic Keyboard, adds a heft of weight to the bag as well. It all feels unnecessary when I have other devices that are smaller in size, but more useful in the software they offer.

When factoring in all of these points, I can imagine an iPad mini fitting in well with all of these devices in the bag. It’ll be a dedicated reading device, first and foremost — but if my iPhone runs out of battery, I can switch to the tablet to carry on watching something on YouTube as a backup plan.

A £42 discount may seem small, but much like the iPad mini, it can make a big difference in how it can benefit me and how I use my daily devices. Regardless of what Apple may be cooking up for iPadOS 18 next year, I’m happy to go in blind, and simply enjoy what the iPad mini, the best option in the lineup for me, can offer.

The iPad mini has seen a few deals over the last couple of months, and now it’s reduced by a whopping $100 over at Amazon. Though it’s a slightly older tablet, it’s still Apple’s newest mini, and with no concrete sign of a follow-up device, this is a bargain price that’s well worth taking advantage of.

iPad mini $100 off

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy | Walmart

The iPad mini is still an excellent tablet, even as rumors surface that it could receive an update sooner rather than later. With its 8.3-inch display, it’s a stunningly compact device, and the A15 Bionic chip under the hood keeps it running smoothly over the course of its life. There’s 4GB of RAM for all that multitasking, and there are even smart cover accessories like keyboards for those who want a small touchscreen laptop replacement.

It’s the perfect iPad for students as we enter Back to School as well, as you can easily slip it into a bag or rucksack and take it to college or high school. Apple Pencil support is great for some sketching and even note-taking too, and the aforementioned keyboard covers make for a great portable laptop replacement.

This deal doesn’t quite bring the tablet down to its lowest price, but it is only around $25 off that mark. The last time that price was seen was Prime Day last month, although it’s still worth grabbing at this price rather than waiting for another event to come along. The iPad mini could be getting a replacement soon in the iPad mini 7, and the only deals on the tablet then may well be on older, remaining stock — or there simply might not be any available at all, as the new model replaces this one on store shelves.

Don’t be too worried about buying an older device like the iPad mini 6 either — it’s still going to have years of software support, and its powerful chip is plenty enough to run modern apps and games.

Apple has started to sell the M1 iPad Pro and the iPad mini 6 for a heavily discounted price via its US refurbished store. So you can bag yourself a bargain of up to 20% off by shopping refurbished and picking up a like-new product directly from Apple.

By buying refurbished, you can save up to $290 on an M1 iPad Pro versus the newer M2 model depending on the configuration you choose. For example, the 128GB 11-inch M1 iPad Pro is available refurbished for $639, 20% lower than the M2 version. As for the 12.9-inch, you can pick up an M1 for $889 instead of $1099 for an M2. 

The iPad mini 6 has also received a huge discount with most configurations reduced by that magical 20% as well. If you pick up a 256GB Wi-Fi model at the refurbished store you’ll be saving a whopping $100 versus buying it brand new from Apple.

Why buy new when you can buy refurbished?

Apple’s Certified Refurbished Products are pre-owned before receiving Apple’s extensive refurbishment process to make sure they are fully functioning and look brand new. As the items are refurbished they come in a more subtle white box, but you still get a one-year limited warranty and original accessories. 

For most, if you can find the model you’re looking for in Apple’s refurbished store then it’s well worth the consideration, especially considering the discounts at play. One huge benefit of purchasing refurbished is the testing that takes place during the refurbishment process. This means that every product has been thoroughly assessed to make sure it meets the standards that you’d expect from buying brand new. 

If you’re looking to save some money to put towards some of the best iPad accessories on the market or maybe even pick up a pair of AirPods Pro 2, then buying refurbished could be the way to go. 

I, despite working for an Apple site, don't own an iPad. I've used loads, and I love their big screens and powerful processors. But I've just never been too pressed with the idea of actually buying one. I've seriously considered it many times over the years, but I'm still yet to slip one in my bag. This $100 saving on the iPad Mini has, I'll admit, had me very tempted to hit that buy button, and perhaps you should take a good look too.

Do I buy an iPad Mini for $100 off?

• iPad deals: Amazon | B&H Photo | Walmart

So, did the deal sway me? It is, after all, a great saving on a stunning piece of hardware.

No.

I am still going to remain iPad-less until the time comes when I feel like the price and the need coincide more, and then I'll slip one into my pocket. For now, I'll keep reading my comic books in physical form, and watching Netflix on my laptop. 

Does that mean you shouldn't pick an iPad Mini up for this price? Absolutely not, this is still a fantastic deal on one of the best iPads around. It's small enough to get into any bag you might choose, and the detail that small screen is capable of replicating has to be seen to be believed. It's well worth it at this price.

You'll also want to pick up one of the best iPad Mini cases to make sure it doesn't get scratched up the moment it hits your bag.

You're the proud owner of the compact powerhouse, iPad mini 6 and loving how speedy it is for the size. While technically you can use any keyboard with your mini 6, you don't want some big and bulky keyboard that takes away the diminutive iPad mini 6's portability advantage. We've rounded up some mini keyboards sized just for the littlest tablet as well as some full-sized (but streamlined) keyboards. 

Here are the best keyboards for the iPad mini 6 that are sure to make you more productive on the move. You can even use them with other devices like your iPhone 15 Pro too. If you haven't bought an iPad mini 6 yet, consider checking out the latest iPad mini 7 rumors to see what to do.

Quick List

• Back to the top^

Q & A

The iPad mini 6 is great on its own, but if you do a lot of typing, you can boost your productivity with a keyboard. Any of the best wireless keyboards will work, but since you chose a smaller iPad, you'd probably prefer a smaller or more streamlined keyboard to keep the iPad mini ultra-portable.

I actually prefer keyboards that work with a variety of devices, as opposed to being tied to a single device. The Logitech Keys-to-Go is a classic keyboard that you can use with your iPad mini 6 and plenty of other devices, including iPads that you may buy in the future such as the iPad Pro (2022).

If you prefer a keyboard (and possibly a case) specifically for the iPad mini 6, the BORIYUAN iPad mini 6 Keyboard Case gives you the best of both worlds. It is a keyboard case, but the keyboard can be removed if you want to use the case without a keyboard or vice versa.

You can't go wrong with any of the keyboards on this list. Just don't forget an iPad mini 6 case and screen protector so your device remains free from damage.

With Apple's May iPad refresh for 2024, the question of what is the best iPad is more pertinent than ever. With new models, price cuts, and more, the lineup is more stacked (and confusing) than ever. So what's the best iPad in 2024?

Well, now we have a brand new iPad Pro M4 and a new iPad Air 6 to choose from. There's a much cheaper 10th-generation model for budget users and the mini remains in the lineup. However, the super-cheap iPad 9 is no more, and Apple's iPad Pro is much more expensive than it used to be. 

As is often the case, the best iPad depends on your needs. So whether you're a power user, need something portable, or you've got a tight budget, we've got the best iPad for you. Take a look!

Quick list

The best iPad for most people

• iPad Air 6 hands-on review

Unveiled in May of 2024, the brand-new iPad Air builds on the extremely successful formula of the previous model with a few distinct tweaks. First up, and most obvious, is a brand 13-inch size for people who want a larger, more expansive display without all of the bells, whistles, and cost of the iPad Pro. 

The new iPad Air for 2024 comes with the M2 chip for powerful processing, making light work of even the most power-hungry apps, and beefing up AI performance thanks to the power of the Neural Engine. The new model also has faster Wi-Fi 6E for better connectivity compared to the old model. 

The front-facing camera was upgraded to landscape orientation, too. Despite all of these upgrades, the iPad Air 6 holds the same starting price of $599 as its predecessor while offering twice as much storage (128GB) as standard. There are now more options too with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options to choose from. 

Apple's new Apple Pencil Pro is also compatible with the new iPad Air, giving you access to the new haptic sensor and the gyroscope-powered gestures that make drawing and creating on iPad more intuitive than ever before. 

The iPad Air 6 for 2024 is the perfect combination of power, a great design, and a price tag that isn't too expensive compared to the iPad Pro. With the cheaper iPad 10 now even cheaper, and iPad Pro $200 more expensive, it sits in a much clearer position in the lineup, even at $799 for the larger model. If you want an iPad that is perfect for content consumption, a bit of creation, and is future-proof, then this is the iPad for you, and probably everyone else too. However, the iPad Air 6 misses out on the M4 chip of the Pro, and more importantly that stunning OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. With the Air limited to 60Hz, the cheaper price tag comes with a distinct display trade-off. 

The best value iPad

• iPad 10 (2022) review

The iPad 10 has been our best-value iPad pick for some time, and now it's even cheaper. Alongside the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models for 2024, Apple unveiled a significant price drop for the base model in the lineup. It came at the expense of the iPad 9, but the iPad 10 is now just $349, arguably the price it should have always been. At that price, it's not only the best value pick, but also the best budget pick, as the cheapest iPad in Apple's lineup. 

Apple redesigned the base iPad so you can say goodbye to bezels and hello to rounded corners. It also said goodbye to the Home button with a USB-C port instead of the Lightning port. It's all great to see but it's what's under the hood that's perhaps most important.

Powering the entire iPad (10th generation) is the A14 Bionic, an upgrade of the A13 Bionic found in the 9th-gen iPad. This marks a 20% increase in CPU and a 10% improvement in graphics compared to the iPad (9th generation). There's no doubt the M-series chips that you find in higher-end iPads are more powerful, but for 90% of users, the A14 will pack enough punch to get through everything you can throw at it.

There's also a better rear camera compared to its predecessor, now sporting a 12MP lens compared to the 7MP camera on the back of the iPad (2021). Apple Pencil (1st-generation) support is useful for drawing, sketching, painting, or taking notes.

However, there are issues for the iPad (10th generation). For instance, you need to decide between a USB-C Apple Pencil or the 1st generation with a dongle; there is no 2nd generation support here. Also, the non-laminated display isn't ideal. The familiar hollow sound when you tap on the display may be a fairly minor inconvenience, but it still exists. Also, Apple has removed the headphone jack, so wireless headphones are essential.

Overall, the iPad (2022) was a welcome change from the stagnant design of the iPad for the past decade, but that change comes with growing pains for both old and new users alike. A new price point makes this a much more enticing choice for 2024, and with no budget iPad 9 in the lineup, it's going to be the only option for a lot of people. 

The best small iPad

• iPad mini 6 review

The iPad mini 6 was the most significant update to the iPad mini line since the introduction of the first-generation model. In 2024, it is still a no-brainer pick for the best small iPad, mostly because it's the only small iPad. 

Pretty much everything about it has been improved and the entire team at iMore is impressed with its portability and power blend. It has a larger display than before, a huge processor boost, and much more.

The tablet also has Apple Pencil 2 support so the iPad mini 6 is a fantastic drawing tablet. It's simple to take notes or sketch something out, while you can always merely control the tablet with the stylus. Alongside that, its 8.3-inch screen is a beautiful and larger display than an iPhone, making it excellent for watching videos or playing Apple Arcade titles on the goal.

With upgrades to the camera, storage options, and the updated design, it's impossible to pass up on the iPad mini 6 if you're a fan of small tablets. A word to those with an eye on the future, however. The iPad mini 7 is a rumored upgrade expected in the second half of 2024. If having the latest and greatest means anything to you, you might want to wait a few more months for that new tiny tablet. 

The best iPad for power users

• iPad Pro M4 hands-on review

With an absolutely mind-boggling update for 2024, the new M4 iPad Pro 13-inch is absolutely the best iPad for power users. It comes with a brand new OLED display that leverages two displays in a tandem stack, creating what Apple calls the Ultra Retina XDR Display. The best tablet display on the market, the new display gives out 1000 nits of brightness, 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness, brighter specular highlights, more detail in shadows, and better low-light performance than ever before. True professionals can get a nano-texture glass option for $100 extra.

Under the hood, the iPad has Apple's most advanced mobile chip ever, the M4. Built on the second generation of the 3nm process, it features four CPU performance cores and up to six efficiency cores, as well as next-generation machine learning powered by the Neural Engine. Apple says the M4 is 1.5 faster for CPU performance over the M2. The GPU is the same 10-core beast from the M3, so the iPad Pro for 2024 now supports hardware-accelerated accelerated ray-tracing and mesh shading. Compared to M2, M4 uses half the power to deliver the same performance, delivering staggering efficiency. 

The new Neural Engine is capable of 38 trillion operations per second, 60x more than the first ever Neural Engine from the A11. All of this is to say the new iPad Pro for 2024 will power wild levels of pro app usage, such as the new Final Cut 2 for iPad and Logic Pro 2 for iPad. 

While you won't be taking photos on your iPad, the rear camera upgrade is nice. More importantly, the front-facing camera is now landscape-oriented for FaceTime and video conferencing. The iPad Pro M4 is also complemented by the new Apple Pencil Pro and a new Magic Keyboard. The former has new gestures, a haptic engine, and a gyroscope, while the latter is more premium and aluminum than ever before. This is hands down the best power-use iPad on the market, but you'll pay for the privilege. The new iPad Pro models are $200 more expensive than their predecessors across the board, starting at $1,299 for this larger model. 

The best iPad for those who want Pro but smaller

• iPad Pro M4 hands-on review

An obvious pick, the best Pro iPad but smaller is the smaller version of the Pro iPad. The new 11-inch model for 2024 boasts one huge advantage over its predecessor. It's identical to the larger model in every way. Where the M2 iPad Pro 11-inch lacked the mini-LED display of its big brother, the M4 iPad Pro shares the same feature set across the board. That means you get the same M4 chip and the same OLED display no matter what size you choose. 

The iPad Pro 13-inch is 0.2 mm thinner than the smaller model, but otherwise, the two are identical. They offer the same storage, display, chip, Apple Pencil Pro support, and even the same battery life and performance. For the first time ever the 11-inch iPad Pro is not a compromise compared to the 13-inch model. As such, the only consideration for prospective customers is its smaller size and its cheaper price point. That latter one is incredibly important given this model is $200 more than the old one cost, just like the 13-inch model. 

How to choose the best iPad for you

For nearly everyone, the iPad Air 6 (2024) is the perfect blend of power, performance, price, and size. It's got the potent M2 chip, but it doesn't have the ProMotion OLED display of the Pro. It's much more capable than the base-model 10th generation, but it's not nearly as cheap. 

If you want a budget iPad, or the best value for money, the 2022 iPad 10 is an easy winner thanks to its new price tag for 2024. The iPad mini 6 remains the only choice for those who want a small tablet, despite a potential looming iPad mini 7 on the horizon. 

The Pro lineup is more powerful than ever thanks to the M4 iPad Pro, and the choice between the two sizes is much more straightforward now that there's no display divide between them. The only consideration you have to make is price and size. 

Remember, the best iPad is almost always the one that suits you best, so think about your needs and what you'll be using your iPad for on a day-to-day basis. Better yet, get into your nearest Apple store and go hands-on with one so you can see for yourself the differences in size, weight, display, and responsiveness. 

Q&A

• iPad Pro M4 hands-on review

If you’ve come out of last week being utterly confused about which iPad is made for you, you’re not alone.

Last week, Apple revealed a brand new base model iPad and some updates for the iPad Pro lineup. With the introduction of the new 10th-generation iPad, the iPad lineup has turned into a confusing mess, especially since the company decided to keep the 9th-generation iPad in the lineup. 

Figuring out which iPad is right for you has never been as confusing as it is today. So, let's break down every iPad in the newly formed lineup so you can try and make an educated purchasing decision. 

9th generation iPad (2021)

Keeping the 9th generation iPad in the lineup is basically an admission from Apple that the new iPad is creating some problems. With a $449 base price point, the 10th generation iPad necessitates the continued existence of the 9th generation iPad.

The 9th generation is the “I just need an iPad…iPad.” It still costs $329, it works with the 1st generation Apple Pencil, and the Smart Keyboard Folio. It features an older processor, an older screen, and an older design, but it does the job. The only prominent feature that the 9th generation iPad doesn't currently doesn’t support like the newer iPads is Stage Manager but, if you're using the 9th generation iPad, there's a good chance you don't care about that.

In fact, there's a good chance you don't care about most of the things that the other iPads do. As I said, the 9th generation iPad is the iPad for people who just need an iPad.

10th generation iPad (2022)

Apple introduced the 10th generation iPad this month and it has singlehandedly created the entire mess that we are experiencing right now. The 10th-generation iPad has been completely redesigned to match the design language of the iPad Air and the iPad Pro. This is one of Apple's great moves with the new generation.

However, there are other decisions made here that make this product a confusing choice for customers. The new iPad, like the 9th generation iPad, only works with the 1st generation Apple Pencil. But, since it features a USB-C port instead of Lightning, you need an adapter to charge it with the new iPad. With the new base model iPad, Apple took an already horrible experience and made it even worse. 

The new iPad also doesn't work with the Magic Keyboard. Instead, Apple has released the Magic Keyboard Folio, a completely new keyboard accessory exclusive to the 10th-generation iPad. Even the iPad Air and iPad Pro can't use this new keyboard.

Admittedly, there are some good things about the 10th-generation iPad. One is obviously the redesign and upgrades to USB-C, despite the quirks it created with the pencil and keyboard situation. Apple has also upgraded the processor to the A14 Bionic and the quality of the cameras. It has also moved the front-facing camera to be located at the top of your screen when you are using the iPad horizontally, as all iPads should be.

The 10th-generation iPad seems to be positioned as the iPad you want if you appreciate a better design, support for a better keyboard and trackpad, and need to use it for some basic productivity.

iPad mini

The iPad Mini, at least for me, has always sat between the base model iPad and the iPad Air. The first reason that you buy an iPad mini is pretty obvious: you want a mini iPad! You don't need or want a bigger screen; you just want an iPad to use for reading, some basic gaming, and entertainment.

Since it does support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, it's also an excellent notepad for people who want to make quick sketches or take quick notes. It is not, however, an iPad that you use for more serious productivity. This is mostly due to the fact that, because of its size, it is too small to support any of Apple's keyboards for the iPad. While some third-party options exist, the screen size alone makes it an unlikely candidate for serious productivity.

The iPad Mini, like the iPhone mini, has always been the iPad for people who want the core iPad experience but in a smaller form factor.

iPad Air

The introduction of the 10th generation iPad also makes the iPad Air an even more confusing upgrade for people looking for an iPad. However, some critical differences between the two models make the Air a clear choice.

The iPad Air supports the 2nd generation Apple Pencil so, for artists, it immediately becomes a better option — especially since it also features a laminated display. It also supports the Magic Keyboard which, depending on your needs and form factor preference, might be a better keyboard accessory than the new Magic Keyboard Folio that’s exclusive for the 10th generation iPad. 

The iPad Air also features Apple's M1 processor so, if you want access to all iPad features like Stage Manager, you're going to need to upgrade to the Air. The M1 chip also enables faster processing for things like photo editing and video editing so, if you’re working on photos and videos as a side project or personal hobby, the Air is a better fit to support those activities.

iPad Pro

Thankfully, the buying decision between the iPad Air and the iPad Pro continues to remain relatively easy. iPad Pro users are and continue to be the customers who want and need all of the features and all of the performance that you can possibly get out of an iPad. 

The new iPad Pro (2022) features apples M2 processor, more and better cameras, a Lidar sensor for augmented reality, a Thunderbolt support for faster transfer speeds through the USB C port. It also features Face ID instead of Touch ID, storage options up to a whopping two terabytes, ProMotion for a 120Hz refresh rate, and the new Apple Pencil hover feature.

You get the idea. It's a truly “pro” iPad that packs in all of the advanced technologies that a serious artist, photographer, videographer, or developer may need in order to complete their work. The feature set that comes with the iPad Pro is critical for the types of users who need those in order to create their best and most efficient work. If any of that sounds like you and your workflow, you can just skip over the rest of the lineup and grab an iPad Pro.

Which one is for you?

Apple's new iPad lineup is the most confusing that the company has ever released. However, if you look closely enough, it starts to become clear which of Apple's best iPads you should go for. So, which iPad are you going to get?

In the wake of Apple's brand new iPad announcements this week, customers in the UK and wider Europe are waking up to the shocking news that Apple has increased the price of some of its most popular iPads, the iPad mini, and the iPad Air, by an eye-watering amount. 

On Tuesday unveiled the new 2022 iPad Pro with M2 and a 10th-gen new iPad 2022, the former getting limited upgrades while the latter got a brand-new design, new chip, colors, and a bigger screen with an all-new design. 

However, Apple has also quietly raised the prices of the iPad Air and iPad mini in the UK and Europe by as much as £130. 

A huge increase

As noted by multiple users on Twitter, since the Apple store has come back online the scale of ailing currencies falling against the Dollar was laid bare. Apple's iPad mini in the UK now starts at a staggering £569 instead of its previous price of £479.

Likewise, the iPad Air is now a whopping £669 instead of £569. A 256GB storage model for both will set you back £749 and £849 respectively. 

These price increases have also been reflected in Europe, as noted by MacRumors. Customers in Italy and beyond can now expect to pay 659 euros for an iPad mini that yesterday cost 559 euros. 

As that report notes, India and other markets in Asia have seen hikes, including in Australia where the price of some current iPads has risen by 10%. 

The same unfortunate price increases also plagued Apple's new best iPhone launch in September, with the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro both seeing big increases in Europe compared to the U.S.. State-side customers also appear to have dodged price increases on the iPad. 

Apple's new best iPads including the new 10th-generation iPad has turned some heads thanks to its cool new design and big upgrades. However its $449 asking price is a steep increase on the previous $329 model, which is still available for purchase. 

For probably a very limited time, Amazon is offering the iPad mini 5 for $100 off the regular price. The deal isn't technically part of Prime Day, which means it's for anyone who visits the Amazon.com website. The promotion covers all iPad mini 5 versions, including the 64GB and 256GB models, with and without cellular. 

Launched in March 2021, the latest iPad mini has a lot of things going for it, starting with its incredible 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display that offers True Tone and wide color. The well-reviewed tablet is a premium device with Touch ID in its Sleep/Wake button for secure authentication and Apple Pay, a 12MP Wide back camera, a 12MP front camera with Center Stage, and landscape stereo speakers. It also supports ultrafast Wi-Fi 6. The iPad mini 5 comes in purple, Starlight, pink, and Space Gray. 

Currently, Amazon is offering huge discounts through its second Prime Day event of the year. However, unlike the July event, this one has a lot of deals on Apple products. They include $50 off the all-new Apple Watch Series 8 and the new lowest price for the 2022 AirPods Pro 2. In addition, the M1 MacBook Air is also available at its lowest price to date at the online retailer. 

And yet there's more. You can also find iPhone deals, Apple TV deals, and more.

The Prime Day event runs through tomorrow, October 12. So be sure to visit iMore often; we'll let you know when new deals get discovered — and whether these deals are worth it or if you should wait until an even better one posts later in the holiday shopping season. 

The iPad Mini has seen some great prices over the last year since its release, with a lowest price of $399. The Mini is now back at that price with a $100 saving over at Amazon. Almost every color of the iPad Mini 6 is available at this price, too - although if you're after the Pink option, then you're going to have to soak up the extra $50 or make do with one of the other colors. This reduction comes only a few days before the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale, but we can't see that the iPad Mini will be reduced any more than it has with this already hefty discount.

iPad Mini savings that are anything but

This was the biggest redesign that the iPad Mini ever received. The screen grew, the bezels shrank, and the Touch ID button migrated from the front to the top edge of the device. It packs the same chip as the iPhone 13 Pro and works with Apple Pencil and a variety of keyboard cases. It may not be the powerhouse of the iPad Pro, but it still manages some light editing workloads. This deal brings it only $100 away from the iPad 10.2, and we reckon it's worth the extra, if nothing else, for the better screen and slicker design.

If you're after the best iPad deals, then we know where to find them, and make sure you keep an eye out for the Amazon Prime Early Access sales. We'll be tracking the deals as they happen and let you know when we spot something special.

Apple is changing a return policy that previously saw iPad mini 6 devices with faulty batteries get an entire device swap, with the new program meaning the battery will be replaced instead.

However, the new policy change doesn't currently apply to all methods of getting iPad mini 6 service, suggesting there might still be a way to get a new iPad mini from the whole process.

Swap out

The change, MacRumors notes, means that "starting today for repair centers, ‌iPad mini‌ 6 customers, if eligible, will be able to get only their battery replaced without needing to be given a whole unit replacement (WUR)." However, the same report also notes that "the new policy, as of now, is only being implemented at repair centers worldwide and not at Apple Stores or authorized service providers."

That could mean that the existing policy of swapping out an entire iPad mini 6 remains in place at local Apple Stores and authorized service providers. In turn, that could be the best route to take if your iPad mini needs a new battery and has some dings or scratches that you'd rather not put up with anymore.

The iPad mini 6 is one of the best iPads around in terms of portability and capabilities. It features an 8.3-inch display, the speedy A15 Bionic chip, and support for Apple Pencil 2 as well. It was only released in September of last year, although an updated model could debut this year.

Apple is expected to announce a raft of new products over the next few weeks, with new iPad Pro tablets likely to benefit from a new M2 chip for the first time. New M2-powered Mac mini and upgraded 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros are also thought to be in the cards for an October announcement.

This iPad Mini deal keeps cropping up this year, and each time it becomes increasingly tempting to drop the hammer and grab one. Over at Amazon, you'll currently save $100, bringing the base model with 64GB down to $399. This matches the iPad Mini's previous lowest price, and while it doesn't better it, it certainly makes the iPad that bit more affordable. Be careful with stock in different colors with this one - we've seen some colors go up and down in stock over the last couple of hours.

iPad Mini lowest price ever

The 8.3-inch iPad Mini may not seem like one of the most important tablets in Apple's line-up, but it very arguably is. The A15 chip inside is mighty, there's support for Apple Pencil gen 2, and the Liquid Retina display looks phenomenal at its smaller size. It offers all the performance of larger models but at a better price and more manageable size point.

Of course, if you're looking for something a bit bigger, then the iPad Air will be a good option. It has an M1 chip and a larger display to go with its $599 price tag. Honestly, though, if you want to spend less, you'll find that the iPad mini offers much the same performance at a lower price - and you can slip it into a handbag.

Check out the best iPad deals and sales if you've got your eye on a bigger model and want to save some money, and keep up with the latest on the iPhone 14 launch event with our iPhone 14 launch event live blog.

Earlier today, a major leak of Apple's rumored tenth-generation iPad popped up. The leak, which came from MySmartPrice, showed off a series of CAD render images, which showed that the new base model iPad could feature a major design change.

Looking at the images, you can see that, if true, the tenth-generation iPad would basically take a ninth-generation iPad and iPad Air and smash them together.

While the overall hardware design would adopt the rounded-off edges of the newer iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini, the front of the iPad will retain the general design of the base model iPad with its Touch ID and bezels. It also appears that the new base model iPad may ditch the headphone jack, pack a four-speaker sound system, and adopt USB-C, making it the last iPad to do so.

If this is what Apple's tenth-generation iPad will be, I'm ready to trade in my iPad mini for the base model and get what could potentially be the new best iPad.

If this is it, I'm ditching my iPad mini

I've used almost every iPad model: the base model iPad, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. After using the full range of the iPad lineup, I most recently landed on the iPad mini. One, because I got the iPhone 13 mini and figured I should just mini all of the things, and two, because my iPad needs have become incredibly basic. I use it for watching movies and TV shows, reading, and some basic internet scrolling.

As much as I've loved the iPad mini, I miss one thing: typing. There really isn't a good keyboard for the mini and, after using the Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard for the iPad, I have missed the ability to set an iPad down on my kitchen table, desk, or an airplane seat tray and type away for awhile.

An iPad/keyboard combo has some other benefits as well. For one, both the Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard are much more secure than the iPad mini cover. Second, a keyboard like the Magic Keyboard will let you see more in the dark with its backlighting.

While I've wanted that experience back, it never felt like I needed to upgrade to the iPad Air and its $599 price point. However, if the new base model iPad comes in at its usual low price of $329, I see no reason not to trade my iPad mini in and head back into the world of an iPad/keyboard combo.

Switching from the iPad mini would no doubt come with some sacrifices. I'll need to go back to an older front display design and the Touch ID button placement on the front of the iPad instead of the side. It's also likely that the base model will have a worse display and processor. However, I'm fine with those sacrifices if it means a larger screen and keyboard compatibility.

All of this, of course, hinges on the iPad actually getting this redesign and also supporting Apple's iPad keyboards. I am really crossing my fingers for this one.

What you need to know

• The iPad mini 6 is experiencing charging issues.
• Apple says that the issue is occurring for iPads updated to iPadOS 15.5
• The company notified authorized service providers that it is investigating the issue.

If you're having issues getting your sixth-generation iPad mini to charge, you are definitely not alone.

In the memo sent to authorized service providers, Apple said that it's aware that some users may report the latest iPad mini as unable to charge after updating to iPadOS 15.5. Apple is advising that service providers and retail staff inform customers to restart the device as a temporary fix while the investigation is ongoing. Crucially, Apple explicitly notes that a hardware replacement of the iPad or its battery will not solve the problem, confirming it's purely a software issue. Apple is currently beta testing iPadOS 15.6, which may solve the problem when it's released to the public.

In a memo sent out to authorized service providers and obtained by MacRumors, Apple says that some sixth-generation iPad mini units are experiencing issues with charging after being updated to iPadOS 15.5. According to the memo, the company is already investigating the issue.

Apple says that users can restart the device as a temporary fix. It also told service providers that the issue is software-related and not to replace devices as a solution for customers.

Apple's temporary solution is an odd workaround. If the iPad dies completely because of its inability to charge, how could you restart it?

The iPad mini 6 is the company's redesigned portable tablet. If you want to pick one up, and maybe hold back on updating to iPadOS 15.5, check out our list of the Best iPad deals for Prime Day 2022.

The best accessories for iPad mini 6 could be a case to keep it protected, a pencil to draw on it with, or an audio source to listen to videos at any point. The iPad mini 6 is a small powerhouse with the still quite good A15 Bionic chip, Ultra Wide 12MP front camera, and that 8.13-inch Liquid Retina Display, so it's worth getting some extras. 

Given that the appeal of the iPad mini 6 is its small size, you will want to pick out accessories that don't make it too bulky, whilst making it a more efficient, or more secure machine. 

The best keyboards for iPad mini 6 will add to it if you plan on using it on the go but this list will be focused on a broad range of accessories in all their forms. 

Here are the best accessories you can find for iPad mini 6.

Quick List

• ^ Back to the top

Q & A

The iPad mini 6 is a great machine, and different people will find different ways to use it. The essential accessories for you will absolutely depend on how and where you use your iPad mini 6. If you're going to be doing a lot of creating, (hand) writing/note-taking, drawing, sketching, or painting, you'll certainly want an Apple Pencil 2 to go along with your iPad.

My iPad does quite a bit of traveling with me, so choosing one of the best cases for your iPad 6 is important. Choose the one that suits your needs the best, but I'm traveling with the ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case right now and it's perfect for popping into my carry-on. It adds very little bulk to my iPad mini 6 and yet I feel the tablet is well-protected. It comes in a handful of nice colors from which to choose.

Keep in mind that the iPad mini 6 has a different form factor from all of the previous models. That means that any older cases or other form-fitted accessories are unlikely to fit.

Since its debut, deals on the iPad mini 6 have been incredibly hard to find. The diminutive tablet has rarely deviated from its retail price, even throughout Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

However, Amazon is giving you the chance to save $50 on one right now with the 256GB model falling to $600 there. This is a match for the steepest discount we have ever seen for this iPad mini 6 model and the deal applies to space gray and starlight colorways right now.

Score the best price yet on Apple's cellular iPad mini

With the sixth-generation model, the iPad mini got a complete design overhaul. The device now has an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, similar to those found on the iPad Air 4 and latest iPad Pro models, and its screen size has increased to 8.3 inches without the overall footprint getting any bigger.

Gone are the 'forehead and chin' bezels, replaced by an all-screen design and Touch ID built into the top button. The device has also gained support for Apple's more advanced Apple Pencil 2 for note-taking and sketching.

It's just as significant an upgrade on the inside, too, with the jump to Apple's A15 Bionic chip. The new system-on-chip allows for 40% faster raw CPU performance and an 80% boost to GPU performance compared to the previous-gen iPad mini. iPad mini 6 also has USB-C connectivity and 5G support in the cellular models making it the best iPad to use on the go no matter how heavy your workload is.

What you need to know

• Apple is being sued over 'jelly scrolling' on its iPad mini 6.
• A Colorado resident says Apple's mini tablet is defective, and that Apple has misled consumers.
• He is seeking damages on behalf of everyone who bought one in the U.S.

A Colorado resident has sued Apple over claims that its iPad mini 6 is defective because of a 'jelly scrolling' issue with the tablet's display.

In a court filing Wednesday spotted by MacRumors, Christopher Bryan launched his action against the company over the iPad mini 6. While the device is considered one of Apple's best iPads in recent years it has been marred by a defect that causes the screen to wobble, an issue Apple says is "normal behavior."

The action states:

The suit notes a multitude of complaints about the issue on Amazon review pages and online forums. The suit goes on to say that Apple's actions are unlawful because it acted " in an unethical, unscrupulous, outrageous, oppressive, and substantially injurious manner", promoting devices it knew to be defective and selling them against customer expectations that this would not occur. It also claims Apple failed to test the device properly before launch and seeks damages on behalf of everyone in the U.S. who bought the device.

Announced and released in the fall of 2021, the iPad mini 6 is the latest tiny tablet to come out of Cupertino — but don't be fooled by its size! The new mini is more powerful than ever, packing an A15 Bionic chip, edge-to-edge Liquid Retina Display, USB-C, 5G, and more.

Though its display got a little larger this year, up to 8.3 inches from 7.9 inches previously, the overall form factor actually got a little smaller thanks to shrinking bezels. Its new bigger canvas of the iPad mini 6 makes it the perfect digital field notes device to take on the go, and, for that use case, the Apple Pencil is a must-buy accessory, but which Apple Pencil should you buy?

Whether you want to sketch and draw, take handwritten notes, or just use the device as a pointing tool, you're going to want to get the Apple Pencil 2 for your sixth-gen iPad mini. The new iPad mini does not support the older Apple Pencil. If you are upgrading from the iPad mini 5 or another iPad model that utilizes the first-gen Apple Pencil, you're going to have to upgrade your stylus.

Having to upgrade your Apple Pencil is an obvious drawback if you just spent a decent chunk of money to upgrade your tablet. The Apple Pencil 2 costing more than its predecessor is another notch in the con column. However, the Apple Pencil 2 is the superior device, and your experience of using it will be better than the original model.

Firstly, the pairing and charging the Apple Pencil 2 is much more elegant. Rather than clunkily connecting it to your iPad's Lightning port, the newer Apple Pencil instead magnetically attaches to the side of your iPad mini 6 (or iPad Air 4 and latest iPad Pro models). That's it! The first time you do it, the Apple Pencil will pair to your iPad, and it sits there, securely held by magnets, charging up, so it's always ready to be grabbed and used.

Of course, there are other noteworthy features of the Apple Pencil 2. It features low latency precision drawing and writing, a flat edge that you can double-tap to change tools without setting the pencil down, and a battery life of up to 12 hours.

If you already have the first-gen Apple Pencil and want to continue to use it, it is still officially supported by Apple's entry-level iPad line with the latest 2021 iPad having maintained support for it. It's still a good stylus for sketching, writing, or just tapping around the UI, but it has been relegated to just the base iPad with the mini, Air, and Pro lines now all adopting the Apple Pencil 2.

Of course, there are many Apple Pencil alternatives out there to work with whatever iPad you have. While these might not be as fancy and feature-packed as the first-party Apple offerings, they may do the job just fine for what you need and can cost a lot less. If you want the absolute best iPad stylus for your iPad mini 6, you're going to want to get the Apple Pencil 2.

Designer Kate Spade New York is known for girly, cute styles and this appealing iPad case fits right into the product lineup. But it's not just pretty: the PC (polycarbonate) folio case offers four-foot drop protection. Plus, it folds back into a stand that can be used at a higher angle for viewing videos or a lower angle for typing. It also has a slot for stashing your Apple Pencil or other stylus when not in use. The case has some quirks but it's definitely worth checking out.

Kate Spade Protective Folio Case: Price and availability

The floral case can be purchased for the iPad mini 6 at Verizon for $55. Normally, the iPad mini 6 case is also sold on Incipio's website at the same price, but at the time of writing, it is sold out. You can find it in the 10.2-inch iPad size at Target and Best Buy. For the larger iPad size, this case is also available in a chic leopard print.

Kate Spade Protective Folio Case: What's good

I'm always looking for the best iPad mini 6 cases, and I absolutely love the look of this one. The clear, hard plastic back feels quite protective. It's adorned with pretty off-white flowers that have pink and sparkly centers. The floral pattern, called Hollyhock, is inside the plastic, so it's totally smooth to the touch and there is nothing you could potentially scratch off.

The folio portion of the case is a pale pink faux leather with a soft microfiber interior to prevent scratches. You can fold the folio back and tuck it into the tab, which has the Kate Spade New York logo printed in gold foil upon it. Once tucked, it's secured. You can prop the iPad mini at a high angle for watching videos or making FaceTime calls, or at a low angle for typing on the screen. When you close the case, you also tuck the folio into that tab to keep it closed. If you like the Hollyhock pattern, you would be interested to know that there is a matching iPhone case as well.

Inside the flap is a sleeve for carrying your Apple Pencil or another similarly-sized stylus. There is a cutout for the camera module, and the flap covers the camera when it's closed. There are cutouts for all of the speaker holes, the Sleep/Wake button, volume buttons, and the USB-C port. The entire side that has the Apple Pencil magnetic connector is open, so you won't need to remove the case in order to charge your Apple Pencil.

Kate Spade Protective Folio Case: What's not good

The Kate Spade Protective Folio Case has some odd quirks. For one, I think it's the first case I've reviewed in years that doesn't have Sleep/Wake functionality. In other words, you actually have to wake it up and put it to sleep manually upon opening and closing this case. Not that it's hard to do, I've just gotten used to cases that have that functionality built in.

When folded into a stand, it's quite stable on a hard surface. This is despite the fact that the iPad is suspended in the air slightly, not resting on the surface. However, this does create a balance issue on soft surfaces, such as a pillow. I use my iPad as an e-reader in bed, and it definitely tips over more frequently than with other cases I've tried.

Kate Spade Protective Folio Case: Competition

The Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case is also pink, protective, and folds into a stand. It does have Sleep/Wake functionality and I found the stand a bit more stable on soft surfaces. It's also less expensive than the Kate Spade Protective Folio Case, though it's not quite as pretty.

For price and lightweight protection, you can't beat the Fintie Slimshell Case. It's my go-to case because it adds so little bulk to my iPad mini and it does everything I need it to do. It's modeled after Apple's Smart Case and functions much the same way.

Kate Spade Protective Folio Case: Should you buy it?

• You want a stylish designer case for your iPad
• You want great protection
• You want a folio case that folds into a stand

• You want Sleep/Wake functionality
• You need it to stand up on a soft surface
• It's out of your price range

This is a great case for the person who wants solid protection and loves a designer look. It's even better if you want a folio case that folds into a stand, but not if you want to use that stand on a pillow or you expect Sleep/Wake functionality. The price may also put it out of reach for some people.

This might be the prettiest iPad case I've reviewed to date, with its fashionable floral design. It's definitely the case to show off when out in public. The tab on the front keeps the case securely closed, and it also keeps the folio folded back securely into a stand for watching videos or typing. However, when the folio is folded back, the iPad doesn't touch the surface, rendering it a bit top-heavy. This is only an issue when standing your iPad on a soft surface like a pillow, but it's something to be aware of. It does lack Sleep/Wake functionality, which isn't a huge inconvenience but is almost expected these days.

I've never really been much of a reader. Once I am into a book or series, I enjoy it, but picking up a book has always been lower on my priority list with so much other media available to consume. I'm far more likely to binge a TV show, watch a new movie, or play a video game than I am to spend hours with my nose in a paperback. Audiobooks never found a space in my life either, beaten out by the amount of podcasts and music I listen to. Plus, because I have to read and write many words for work, reading in my spare time can feel a bit like more work.

There are always books that sound interesting to me, both fiction and non-fiction, and I buy a few per year, but I rarely get a chance to immerse myself in them. The iPad mini 6 has changed that, though, and I've read more since owning one than I had for a long time prior. It's clearly the best iPad to use as an e-reader, and it might just be the best e-reader period. Here's why.

Why the iPad mini is the perfect e-reader

Since it arrived, the iPad mini has become my favorite way to read books. It makes sense to me for quite a few reasons, and it might make sense to you too.

The most obvious reason the iPad mini 6 is excellent for reading is its compact size and lightweight design. However, weight is perhaps the most crucial aspect. At 0.65 pounds, it's slightly lighter than the iPad mini 5 and much lighter than other iPad models. The weight is distributed evenly across the whole device, too, which means you can comfortably hold it for hours without your arm getting tired.

It's also small enough to keep on your nightstand or take on the go in a bag or even in your jacket pocket. That added portability makes it a better pick than any other iPad for reading, whether you want to take it on your next flight or carry it daily on your commute.

Not only is the iPad mini 6 a joy to hold for extended periods due to its size and weight, but Apple has also managed to fit more screen into an overall smaller form factor. With a slightly taller display, you can get more text on the screen at once, which suits a text-first task like reading.

But that's not the only reason the iPad mini 6 display is great for reading books — it's also the highest resolution iPad display currently available. At 2266x1488 pixels, it maintains the 326 pixels per inch resolution of the iPad mini 5 despite the display growing to 8.3 inches from 7.9 inches. That makes it sharper than even the iPad Pro's display, so the text looks super-sharp.

It's also a backlit display, unlike many (but not all) e-readers or, you know, actual paper books that rely on external light to make them readable. With True Tone, you even get a page that is easy on the eye no matter your lighting conditions.

I don't know about you, but to form a habit, I need some reward. Maybe it's my dumb brain, but something like a goal, streak, or digital medal is more than enough to get me to change my behavior which is why the Apple Watch activity rings have clicked so well for me.

In the Apple Books app, there's a similar, if a little more basic, offering in the form of Reading Goals. Here, you can set daily and yearly targets to encourage you to read more often. You might just put it at 10 minutes per day, but keeping that daily streak going is pretty motivating and adding books to your list of finished titles feels like a real achievement.

Of course, this feature could be fleshed out further, and there are other goal-based systems on Kindle and Kobo, but it's a nice-to-have feature for the iPad mini 6.

Introduced in iPadOS 15, the new Focus modes are like Do Not Disturb on steroids which is excellent for blocking out distractions when you want to focus on your current book. Better yet, Focus allows you to set a particular Focus based on what app is in use. That means, as soon as you open the Books or Kindle app, you can have the system automatically turn off any alerts you don't want to see.

Fans of dedicated e-readers often espouse the unitasking nature of a device like the Kindle as a real plus point since it removes any opportunity to be distracted. If used correctly, I think a Focus mode serves just as well for this purpose and even goes one better by syncing your notification settings across your Apple devices. Just because you have your Kindle or Kobo in hand doesn't mean your phone or Apple Watch can't ping you. With Focus, you can achieve notification-free zen status everywhere with one tap.

Even though Focus can lock down your iPad (and other devices) to offer a dedicated reading experience, you still have a fully-featured tablet at the end of the day.

As well as reading words on a page, you can use your iPad mini 6's Liquid Retina display to read other visual media like magazines, comics, your favorite websites, email newsletters, and more. While E Ink is terrific for battery life, it's not great for scrolling or displaying much other than text. The iPad mini 6's multi-touch LED display can do it all.

Plus, when you're done reading, you can kick back with a movie, enjoy a podcast, play some Apple Arcade games, or use it to get some work done with the powerful A15 Bionic chip inside. Though it's smaller, it can do anything its larger iPad siblings can. Since many folks don't want or can't afford a dedicated device for reading, it makes total sense for the iPad mini 6 to be your do-it-all tablet device.

Why the iPad mini 6 is not so great as an e-reader

With all of that said, the iPad mini 6 isn't perfect, and there are reasons to consider a standalone e-reader. So let's take a look at why the iPad mini 6 might not work for you before you rush out and buy one.

For me in the northern hemisphere, I'm all for hunkering down for the winter with a good book right now. The iPad mini's display is perfectly bright at 500 nits peak brightness in indoor settings. If you want to use it outside, though, it's not as great. It's certainly usable in most places, but it might let you down at the beach or by the pool in the height of summer, and an E Ink display would serve you better.

Another use case that does not suit the iPad mini 6 is in or around any body of water. Whether you like to dip your feet in the pool mentioned above or relax with a good book in the bathtub, the iPad mini is not a device you should consider. It has no formal water resistance rating, so any steam or splashes could be potentially harmful.

Instead, you ought to check out one of the latest Kindle devices or something like the Kobo Forma for a more rugged e-reader with up to IPX8 protection. Or take a paper book with you in these scenarios if you don't mind your pages getting all wavy.

There's no denying that $499 is expensive for a tablet, let alone an e-reader. Amazon's (not so great) Fire tablets start at 10% of that price, and its (actually very good) Kindle e-readers are not much more. So if you want a device that will only ever fulfill the duties of an e-reader, you can be well served for less money.

Suppose you want a top-tier Apple experience, including the premium physical design, software smarts, and all that an iPad can offer in addition to digital books. In that case, you might prefer to punt for an Apple tablet.

Time to pick up a good book

If you already own an iPad mini or you're considering one for digital reading, or you're a die-hard Kindle user, now's a great time of year to get reading. For me, being able to take the iPad mini 6 with me anywhere in the home and the comfort of reading on it versus my iPad Pro or iPhone has meant I've read more books in the last few months than I have the rest of the year. So that makes it a real winner in my book.

I've been a mobile gaming fan since I got the original Game Boy in the mid-90s. The ability to play games anywhere — or as long as those four AA batteries had juice — was a game-changer for me as a young kid and the industry as a whole. Of course, fast forward to 2021, and mobile gaming has primarily been taken over by phones and tablets.

I've always had at least a few games on my iPhone, but only in the last few years has the hardware and software has caught up to my wants and needs as a gamer, which has caused me to download far more games on my devices. So much so that I got an iPad mini 6 a few weeks ago, and it has quickly become my favorite device to game on. Not only is it the best iPad for gaming, but it's everything I want in a mobile gaming device.

Compact and powerful

Let's start with the obvious: When it comes to mobile gaming, being mobile is an essential part of the experience, and there is no more mobile tablet than the iPad mini 6. It's incredibly light, and the beautiful display (although not OLED) still looks excellent in most conditions. It's so easy to pop the iPad mini 6 in your knapsack, purse, or even a larger pants pocket and have access to all of Apple Arcade and any other games you've downloaded via the App Store.

To top of its compact design, the A15 Bionic chip that powers it all does a ton of heavy lifting, making gaming experiences smooth. In fact, plently of Apple Arcade titles can reach the iPad Mini 6's max 60hz refresh rate and stay there with no issues. It can even run full-fledged games like Divinity Original Sin II with no hiccups at all.

Lots of ways to play

Ever since the Nintendo Switch launched years ago, the idea of the hybrid console that can be played multiple ways has come to the forefront. You might say that Nintendo is leading the pack when it comes to offering some unique gaming experiences, but I would argue that the iPad mini 6 gives it a run for its money.

Of course, you can simply play games on your iPad as a handheld, but because of AirPlay, your Mac, TV, or other AirPlay display can also serve as a way to game on your iPad. This flexibility is super appreciated because it makes gaming on your iPad feel much grander when you want it to. For example, if you're playing an epic adventure game, you can easily play on a much larger screen to make the adventure come to life even more.

On top of that, the iPad mini 6 excels at offering different ways to game when it comes to inputs. Of course, any iPad game — Apple Arcade or not — can be played without additional accessories, just using touch controls. However, with the wide variety of game controllers compatible with the iPad mini, it's easy to have a more traditional console-style controller at your disposal.

The Apple Pencil 2 also offers a unique way to enjoy games on the iPad mini. I find it's an excellent tool for puzzle games or games that require any drawing or line making. It's fantastic to play an Apple Arcade title like tint. — where you have to draw lines with paint — with an actual device that is meant for drawing. Plus, for other games like point-and-click adventures, having the ability to tap the screen precisely is a huge benefit.

The game library has never been bigger

Not only is mobile gaming pretty accessible, but the number of games and the types of games offered also seem to be increasing with each passing year. My library of games on the iPad mini is triple the games I have bought and downloaded onto my consoles. Apple Arcade is a huge help with that, offering a library of well over a hundred premium games, but services like xCloud have helped the iPad break into the worlds of AAA games like never before.

If you set up xCloud on your iPad — or any other cloud gaming service — your iPad mini can become a portable console, playing some of the best games from big studios that have come out recently. Cloud gaming has blown the roof off of what's possible on iPads, making them even more versatile and having access to even more games.

Mobile gaming isn't going anywhere, and it's getting better

The fact of the matter is that mobile gaming is a huge and very profitable industry, and while there are many annoying things in mobile games — like pay-to-win mechanics — there are a ton of great mobile games that avoid all that nonsense. Mobile gaming keeps getting better.

With iPads and other mobile devices getting more powerful each year, developers are taking notice. Big games from big studios are developing gorgeous games that have advanced textures and much more fluid graphics on devices like the iPad. Games like NBA 2K21 on Apple Arcade look and feel amazing on the iPad mini 6, and it's so close to a console experience it's downright magical.

While console gaming isn't going anywhere, it's clear that mobile gaming is a massive part of the industry, so much so that I wouldn't put it past Apple to be working on an iPad that is focused on gaming. Perhaps with even more power and better ways of dealing with heat, to really push those great Apple chips to the max. But, until then, the iPad mini 6 is a great gaming device on top of being a fantastic tablet, and that's a combination that's a real winner in my book.

The newly redesigned iPad mini 6 is finally here. If you plan on picking one up or you've already ordered one, you're going to want a case. Whether you want lots of protection, a case with a stand, or something clear to show off your beautiful new iPad mini, a great case will go a long way in making your iPad mini 6 the best iPad it can be. Here are the best cases for the iPad mini 6. While you're adding to your arsenal, now may be the time to consider one of the best keyboards for iPad Mini 6 too.

Our recommendations

The iPad mini 6 is the first big redesign to the iPad mini since the product first launched, and by all accounts, it looks absolutely gorgeous. Getting a great case goes a long way to help it keep it looking gorgeous. Plus, the right case can make using the iPad — especially in landscape mode — much more enjoyable.

I really like the ESR Magnetic case because it does everything you need without being too expensive. It has a tri-fold making it double as a stand. It takes advantage of the auto sleep/wake feature. It even offers some decent protection without adding bulk. It's everything you need, and it keeps the Appel Pencil close by as a bonus.

Also, if you plan on typing on your iPad mini 6, it's hard not to suggest you pick up a keyboard case like the ProCase keyboard case. Not only does it come with a full QWERTY keyboard, but it also can easily be detached via magnets, meaning if you don't need the keyboard on any given day, you can leave it at home.

Cyber Monday iPad deals often mark the last chance of the year to save any money on Apple's excellent range of tablets. So, if you're hoping to get an iPad but don't want to pay full price, you've come to the right place. With the Cupertino firm's full range of products being as popular as they are, we've covered even more offers in our Apple Cyber Monday deals guide.

The iPad has almost become synonymous with the word tablet, and a big part of that is just how great every iPad model performs. Whether you need the base iPad, the thin iPad Air, the small iPad mini, or the powerhouse iPad Pro, all iPads offer a bunch of great features that make them the best tablets you can buy.

Where to find the best Cyber Monday iPad deals

Whether you're looking for the lowest prices on the base iPad or the best deals on the most expensive iPad Pro, you don't have to look much further than right here. We've been keeping tabs on iPad deals for months, so we know the good deals on all models of iPads when we see them.

• Amazon: Expect great deals across all iPad models
• Best Buy: You'll likely find iPad deals bundled with extras like Apple Music or Apple TV+
• Walmart: Has offered iPads at all-time low prices in the past
• B&H: Competes on iPad prices with other retailers
• Target: 5% RedCard savings can make for cheaper prices overall

When do the Cyber Monday iPad deals begin?

Officially, Cyber Monday will kick off on Nov. 26 this year, and there are already some deals available. This is when many stores offer the lowest prices of the year on some models.

Best Cyber Monday Apple iPad deals

The brand-new iPad (2021) is the iPad that many people will, and should, buy. It's better than last year's, has a few cool new features, and will last you years barring any major accidents. As long as you aren't expecting any "pro" features and are okay with the old design, the iPad (2021) is a near-perfect tablet for everyone. It launched recently, so we haven't seen any notable deals just yet, but be sure to check back as we'll be updating this page.

Best Cyber Monday Apple iPad Air Deals

The iPad Air 4 is now the oldest iPad in the current lineup, but it's no slouch! Its beautiful squared-off chassis, fantastic color options, and a nice 10.9-inch large screen make it excellent for work and play. Inside, it's got Apple's A14 Bionic chip, which still runs everything you can imagine blazing fast. Plus, it's compatible with the Apple Pencil 2, meaning you can draw, paint, and sketch all you want.

If you need a slightly larger display than the base iPad and don't want to spend big bucks on the iPad Pro line, The iPad Air is an excellent sweet spot for you — especially if you can score a deal on one.

Best Cyber Monday Apple iPad Pro deals

Available in 11-inch and 12.9-inch sizes, the iPad Pro 2021 is a workhorse device capable of replacing your computer full time if you want. Running on the insanely powerful and fast M1 chip, it has flagship features like pro-grade cameras, LiDAR, Wi-Fi 6, and 5G. Plus, you can get up to 2TB of storage space. These devices are the current top-of-the-line iPad and are full-on laptop replacements for many people these days, especially when you combine it with something like a keyboard case.

Best Cyber Monday Apple iPad mini deals

Apple's brand-new iPad mini 6 got a significant update this year. It now sports the same design as the iPad Air and iPad Pro, meaning you have a more beautiful screen and much thinner bezels. Plus, you get Apple Pencil 2 compatibility. It's all powered by the extremely fast A15 Bionic, Apple's latest chip, making the iPad mini 6 small but mighty.

Unfortunately, since it just launched, we aren't seeing many deals on the iPad mini 6 at the moment but Cyber Monday could change that.

So you've got Apple's most fun tablet yet, the iPad mini 6. If you're like me, you'll want to get a good iPad mini 6 case to protect it right from the start. The ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case is a simple, lightweight case with some thoughtful features. The trifold cover has Sleep/Wake functionality. The magnetic closure flap can be used to secure the Apple Pencil while it charges or simply to secure your iPad mini if you don't use an Apple Pencil. The folio cover folds into a handy stand for the iPad mini. The stand can be used at a high angle for video-watching or FaceTime calls, or at a low angle for on-screen typing.

ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case: Price and availability

You can purchase this case in four colors at Amazon: Black, Blue, Dark Green, and Pink. The Black one is $11.99 while the other colors are $13.99. You can also find the case (as "iPad mini 6 Ascend Hard Smart Cover") on ESR's website in the same colors plus two others: Mint Green and Gray. On ESR's website, the case is $29.99.

ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case: What's good

When searching for a case for my iPad mini 6, I wanted a shell to protect the back (preferably clear to show off my Purple iPad mini) and a front flap with Sleep/Wake functionality that folds into a stand. I also wanted a lightweight case that didn't add a lot of bulk to the tiny iPad mini. I got all of that and more with the ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case.

The back of the case is rigid polycarbonate (plastic) and transparent. But it's not totally clear — it is tinted to match the rest of the case. There are cutouts in the plastic for the camera area, Sleep/Wake button, USB-C charging port, individual speaker holes, and Apple Pencil charging area. There are nice clicky button covers over the volume buttons. It's pretty easy to put the case on and take it off; I've done it a bunch of times without incident.

The front of the case appears to be silicone lined with microfiber. It does have Sleep/Wake functionality, which means that the iPad mini instantly goes to sleep when you close the cover and wakes up when you open it. The magnetic flap does secure the cover, but its main purpose is to hold the Apple Pencil securely in place while it charges.

The folio cover folds neatly into a stable stand for the iPad mini. You can stand up the iPad mini at a high angle for reading, watching videos, typing with a Bluetooth keyboard, or video-chatting with FaceTime, Zoom, and more. I do find myself video-chatting on my iPad mini more often now that it has the Center Stage feature. You can also use the stand at a lower angle for on-screen typing or drawing with your Apple Pencil. You also can fold the cover out of the way if you're reading a book one-handed or thumb-typing, for example.

ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case: What's not good

My complaints are pretty minor and come down to personal taste. As I mentioned above, the clear back of the case is tinted blue to match the rest of the case. However, I'd have preferred a totally clear, colorless back so I can clearly see the color of my iPad.

The flap is both good and bad. It does make closure more secure, and it's a definite boon for Apple Pencil users, since it keeps the Apple Pencil in place as it charges. However, the flap also gets in the way a little bit. It doesn't interfere with functionality, I just have to figure out which way it needs to go in any given position. It's not a big issue, just something to be aware of.

ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case: Competition

Another inexpensive option you can find on Amazon is the Supveco iPad Mini 6 Case. It's similar to the ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case, but the back is opaque. And while there's an opening for the Apple Pencil to charge, there is no flap to secure it. There aren't as many color options, just Midnight Green and Black.

The obvious comparison would be to Apple's own Smart Folio for iPad mini, which comes in a handful of nice colors (hello, Dark Cherry!) The Apple case isn't really a case at all — it's just one big flexible rectangle of microfiber-lined silicone. The back attaches magnetically so there is no protection around the edges. The front flap is the Sleep/Wake cover Apple invented (and many have imitated.)

ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case: Should you buy it?

• You want all-over lightweight protection
• You want a folio cover/stand with Sleep/Wake functionality
• You want a flap to secure your Apple Pencil

• You want the back of the case to be both clear and totally colorless
• You don't have an Apple Pencil and don't want a flap
• You want a different style case entirely

This is a great case for anyone that wants a lightweight case with all-over protection, a folio cover that offers Sleep/Wake functionality, and multiple stand options. It's also great for anyone that uses an Apple Pencil and wants it secured while it charges. This isn't the case for you if the flap is going to bug you, or if you wanted a totally colorless back (or an opaque one.)

The ESR Ultra Slim Trifold iPad mini 6 Case is a well-priced case to consider. The folio-style case gives your iPad mini 6 all-over protection while adding very little bulk or weight to the tiny tablet. A hard polycarbonate case protects the back of the iPad and has the appropriate cutouts for full functionality. The folio cover folds into a stand that can be used at a higher or lower angle, depending on how you're using it. The cover can also be folded out of the way. It does have Sleep/Wake functionality. A strong magnetic flap secures the case closed, but its main purpose is to secure your Apple Pencil in place as it charges.

Apple resisted making a small tablet for a long time, with Steve Jobs arguing that 7-inch tablets were not big enough for great tablet apps. In addition, every tablet user is also a smartphone user, making small tablets redundant. Fast forward to the fall of 2012, and Apple was ready to unveil its first tablet in that size class.

The first iPad mini was effectively a shrunken-down iPad 2 in terms of the specs. Still, its 7.9-inch display allowed new types of buyers to get in on the iPad action, eschewing cheaper Nexus and Amazon slates for the premium Apple hardware and software experience. Since 2012, the iPad mini hadn't received that much attention from Apple. The design effectively remained the same through the now previous-gen iPad mini 5, with specs bumped incrementally every few years.

That pattern ends with the iPad mini 6. The 2021 model is the most significant update to the iPad mini line since the introduction of the first-generation model with a complete redesign, larger display, huge processor boost, and much more. There's so much for iPad mini fans to get excited about and virtually no reason not to upgrade to it from a previous-generation model.

iPad mini 6: Price and availability

Though we've grown accustomed to Apple keeping prices the same when it releases a new product iteration, that's not the case with the iPad mini 6. Unlike its $399 predecessor, the sixth-generation iPad mini starts at $499. Of course, for that extra $100, you're getting the all-new design and incredible power, as we'll go into below. Still, it's a considerable jump in price as Apple leans into this being a niche product for those that value portability.

Your $499 gets you the 64GB capacity with an additional $150 bumping the storage up to 256GB. If you want a cellular variant, that's also a $150 premium with $649 and $799 price tags for the 64GB and 256GB Wi-Fi + Cellular models, respectively. Of course, we'll keep our eyes peeled for iPad mini deals, but it's not a cheap tablet purchase.

iPad mini 6: Hardware and design

The all-new look of the iPad mini 6 is the first thing you'll notice about the 2021 model. For the first time, we see a radical redesign in the iPad mini lineup, with the iPad mini 6 taking clear design cues from the iPad Air and iPad Pro models that came before it. The result is one adorable device.

Apple has given the iPad mini a Liquid Retina display that allows the device to squeeze in an 8.3-inch screen, up from 7.9 inches previously, without expanding the overall footprint (in fact, it's a tad smaller). While Apple will call the iPad mini 6's display edge-to-edge, there's still a decent amount of bezel here, but removing the "forehead and chin" makes the display feel much more expansive.

The bezels are the same thickness as those on the iPad Pro and iPad Air, though, of course, the display is smaller, which makes them appear chunkier in comparison. The bezels are needed to have somewhere to hold the device, and they effectively disappear as you focus on the content when using the device.

The display itself has a resolution of 2266 x1488 pixels making it 326 pixels per inch. As a result, it is much more pixel-dense than the other current-gen iPad models in the lineup, all 264 PPI. Though it doesn't have the mini-LED tech or brightness level of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, text looks sharp, images clear, and with P3 wide color and True Tone, whatever you have on the iPad mini 6's screen will pop.

However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows for the new display, as there is a definite issue with "jelly scrolling." Some noted it, but not all, that had pre-release iPad mini hardware, and it's a clear issue with my device. It's easily observable when scrolling text-based apps in portrait orientation and was one of the first things I noticed when reading in the News and Books app. Though Apple says it is not an issue, I hope the company addresses it in a future software update.

In addition to a new display, the whole chassis of the iPad mini got some design love and has been refreshed with the flat back and sides found in Apple's other premium iPad lines, plus some new colors — space gray, pink, purple, and starlight. Unfortunately, the colors are mostly muted, and the purple on my device looks gray in most lights. However, this isn't a problem since the tablet resides in a Smart Folio cover most of the time.

At 0.65 pounds, the iPad mini 6 remains super light. Its weight combined with its form factor makes it a delight to carry around, even with the Smart Folio attached. For reading, browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games, it has the perfect screen size to weight ratio, meaning you can be immersed in your content for long periods without your arms getting tired.

One iPad Air feature carried over to the iPad mini 6 is a Touch ID top button, rather than incorporating Face ID like the iPad Pro. Face ID's absence is likely due to cost and physical space constraints, but I would have preferred Apple to go the Face ID route on the mini. The Touch ID button works fine, great even, but I still find myself swiping up on the display as I am so used to doing with my iPhone and iPad Pro that it becomes jarring when switching between devices (first world problem, I know).

Also on the top of the device are the volume buttons. These controls have shifted from the previous iPad mini model spot on the side of the device to make room for Apple Pencil wireless charging. One neat thing about the volume buttons is that when you have the device in landscape orientation, the button layout switches in software so that the button on top is always volume up, and the one beneath it is volume down.

Apple Pencil wireless charging, of course, means that iPad mini 6 supports the second-generation Apple Pencil. While some were expecting a smaller Apple Pencil made explicitly for the new mini, I'm glad Apple just allowed the same Apple Pencil 2 to work across all its supported devices. You can even switch it between devices pretty seamlessly by simply placing it on the wireless charging spot on the iPad you want to use it with for a moment. If you like to take hand-written notes, the iPad mini 6 is the perfect digital field notes device with Apple Pencil 2 and the Quick Notes feature in iPadOS 15.

For the first time, iPad mini has moved to USB-C, making the 9th-gen iPad the only current model still rocking Lightning in 2021. As well as unifying Apple's charging standard across the high-end iPad lines, USB-C also enables iPad mini to connect to a whole host of USB-C accessories and enjoy data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps. Of course, it's only a matter of time until all our tech adopts USB-C, so it's nice to see iPad mini get in on it with this update.

Another first for the iPad mini is the inclusion of 5G in the Wi-Fi + Cellular models. It's not the fancy mmWave version that the best iPhone models have, but it's still an upgrade on LTE in areas that have it. Unfortunately, my iPad mini 6 review unit is Wi-Fi-only, so I can't comment directly on the 5G performance, though it's a nice feature to have.

One thing lacking on the iPad mini 6 that its lookalike big siblings have is a Smart Connector. Since it enables keyboard and trackpad devices like the Magic Keyboard, I understand its absence in the mini since a similar product would be cramped. Still, other exciting use cases like the pass-through charging that the iPad mini 6 will never benefit from should accessories adopt it.

iPad mini 6: Software and performance

The physical form of an iPad is only half the story, though, with iPadOS making up the rest. Apple's tablet operating system got even more advanced with iPadOS 15 and, with the A15 Bionic chip powering the iPad mini 6, it can benefit from all that iPadOS has to offer.

The A15 Bionic is the same chipset found in the latest iPhone 13 lineup meaning Apple hasn't scrimped on the specs for the iPad mini here, though it does have a slightly lower clock speed than the iPhone 13 Pro. Nevertheless, it packs a six-core CPU, five-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine onto a single die. According to Apple, it delivers a 40% jump in performance and 60% graphics boost over the previous-gen iPad mini.

While the numbers are impressive, what matters is how it performs in real life, and, fortunately, the iPad mini absolutely sings. In my testing, it felt superbly responsive, edited photos like a dream, handled demanding games with aplomb, and never felt like it was being pushed to its limits. For most people, the A15 Bionic is overkill in terms of performance, but the chip means the device will keep up with iPadOS and the demands of new apps and features for years to come.

Thanks to its size, I use the iPad mini differently than my larger iPad Pro, mainly leaning towards it being a downtime device for video, gaming, web browsing, and reading. It excels and justifies its place in my tech setup for those last two, with much more content viewable on the screen than my phone. In Books, it's an extra two to three paragraphs meaning fewer page turns, and in Safari, it means I get a desktop-class browsing experience. Though these are minor differences, they make for a much more pleasant experience.

There are some unusual quirks of iPadOS on this new screen size, though. Many third-party apps, mainly games, are yet to update for the new size and feature black letter-boxing on the edges in landscape mode. This is understandable since no one outside of Apple knew this device was coming before it was announced, and it has a new aspect ratio. Still, the problem extends to all Apple Arcade titles, which you might think would be among the first to get updated.

More serious than that in terms of usability is the small icons on the Home Screen and the Dock. While you can choose to use large app icons via Settings, this is not on by default which means the tap targets for icons are tiny. Toggling that setting also doesn't change the size of icons in the Dock. So if you have more than eight or so icons down there, you might have a hard time tapping them when using the iPad mini in portrait orientation.

There's also a lot of padding around the app icons and widgets on the Home Screen. It seems to me there's an unusual amount of wasted space between the items on the Home Screen and the bezels, so much so that everything could be made just a fraction larger without looking cramped. On top of that, the on-screen keyboard takes up half of the screen when used in landscape mode, making for a less than stellar user experience. Hopefully, Apple will address these quirks in a future iPadOS update.

Multitasking also feels cramped very quickly. It's not so bad in landscape with two apps taking up 50% of the screen each, but add in Slide Over, a picture-in-picture window, or a Quick Note, and you soon feel boxed in. In portrait orientation, Split Screen feels almost pointless to try and use.

Further, apps that support three-column views on larger iPad screens do not offer it in iPadOS 15 on the iPad mini 6. That means you have to work slightly differently with apps like Notes and Mail.

iPad mini 6: Cameras

People using iPads as cameras have been the butt of many a joke since the iPad 2 brought cameras to Apple's tablet lineup in 2011. While I don't advocate for anyone using the iPad mini 6 as their primary camera over their recent iPhone, it is a more than adequate option in a pinch, especially given its super-portable size.

With the sixth-generation model, the iPad mini has been upgraded to a 12MP Wide rear camera with Focus Pixels and a four-LED True Tone flash. In settings with good light, you'll get some lovely, detailed photos out of the camera. In low light or when the subject is backlit, it's a little more hit and miss, but you can still get some passable photos thanks to the wider aperture and the new ISP in the A15 Bionic. Sure, there's no Ultra Wide, Telephoto, or LiDAR here, but it's a good camera with accurate results for the most part.

The real area the camera excels is in the front-facing department. Gone is the old 7MP camera for a new and improved 12MP Ultra Wide sensor that enables Center Stage. That feature still feels like magic on a FaceTime call to me and would make me pick up my mini over my iPad Pro for the next digital family gathering.

iPad mini 6: Battery life

I've never thought too much about an iPad's battery life since they last so long per charge. However, since this iPad mini is much smaller and has a smaller battery, I found myself considering the battery's longevity in a way that is more akin to an iPhone, though I needn't have based on my testing.

Apple states that the iPad mini 6 will get up to 10 hours of battery life. But, like most of Apple's battery life estimates, it is being modest here.

Instead of conducting a lab-standard battery draining test, I decided to put the iPad mini through some regular real-world usage to see how well it fared. From a full charge in the morning, I caught up on some news and emails, used Safari for some research for work, wasted some time on Twitter, played a few Apple Arcade titles, cooked following a recipe on-screen, watched some YouTube videos, and read a couple of chapters of a book before bed and still had comfortably over 40% left.

Apple's stated 10 hours of battery life is for constant streaming video or web browsing. You don't have the screen on for that long at once in the real world, so the iPad mini will easily last a couple of days per charge with regular usage. It's so power-efficient when not in use that it may last you much longer.

iPad mini 6: Competition

With premium hardware, the power of iPadOS, and the backing of the App Store, Apple's iPad mini 6 is in a league of its own when it comes to small tablets. Virtually no other tablet offers this level of experience in this size class. That means Apple's main competition for the iPad mini 6 will be the new 9th-gen iPad, with its larger screen for a lower price selling point, or the iPad Air 4, which offers the same edge-to-edge design with a larger canvas.

If someone is dead set on having a tablet in the 8-inch region, the most popular choice would be Amazon's Fire HD 8, which is undoubtedly more affordable than Apple's, and a good pick for media streaming, but doesn't offer the same polish and power as an iPad. Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is another portable pick with a bit more space at 8.7 inches. However, it has a lower resolution display plus apps and software that don't compete with iPadOS.

iPad mini 6: Should you buy it?

You want a premium portable tablet

Apple dominates the tablet market on the whole, but the iPad mini 6 stands out even more in what is a wasteland of cheap ~8-inch tablets offering poor experiences ad pitiful power. iPad mini 6 is unmatched in this size class, with the latest A15 Bionic chip and premium design features making their way down from the iPad Air and iPad Pro lines.

You have been waiting for a substantial iPad mini upgrade

Whether you have jumped on every iPad mini that has been released or not, none have brought as radical a design change as the iPad mini 6. Even if you are using the iPad mini 5 from 2019, the 2021 model is a significant improvement in all areas making it an easy upgrade for anyone in the market for a new mini.

You have a niche use case that demands a small device

We've all seen Apple's ads showing a cramped plane cockpit with pilots checking their route on an iPad mini, but these use cases do exist. If you need pocketable power, the iPad mini 6 is for you, whether you plan to use it as a digital notebook, e-book reader, gaming device, photo editing studio, or something else entirely.

You don't have $500 or more to spend on a tablet

There's no getting around the fact that the iPad mini 6 carries a premium price tag. So if you are primarily looking for an affordable, small tablet, this is not it. Instead, you could look at Apple's new 10.2-inch iPad, which costs $170 less and still gets you a great Apple experience or look to Android and Fire tablets for other devices in this size class.

You want a tablet for multitasking workflows

Though the iPad mini 6 can do Multitasking in iPadOS 15, it's not a great experience. If you need to look over two things side-by-side in a pinch, it will do the job for you, but most of the time, I would recommend using apps individually to avoid a cramped experience. Apple's iPad Air and iPad Pro devices are much more suited to Multitasking.

You want top-of-the-range camera hardware

Though the iPad mini 6 cameras are good, especially the new Center Stage-equipped FaceTime camera, they are not the best available in an iPad. For that, you're going to want to get the iPad Pro with its dual camera and LiDAR set up or pick up the iPhone 13 Pro for your on-the-go shooting needs.

If you're looking for the best iPad available in the smallest form factor, you found it. The iPad mini 6 is unmatched in terms of premium build and user experience. If you need a portable tablet and don't want to settle for a plasticky Android slate, then the iPad mini is the way to go.

A premium experience at this size caters to a niche crowd, and Apple is banking on the fact that people who want it enough will pay the premium price tag that comes with the iPad mini 6. However, starting at $100 more than the already pricey iPad mini 5, you have to weigh up if going small is the right choice.

Regardless, it's a superb device in basically all areas. It's exceptionally performant thanks to the A15 Bionic chip, the display got bigger while the device got smaller, it supports Apple Pencil 2, has decent cameras, USB-C, and 5G, and battery life that will quickly get you through a day or more of regular usage. And it all fits into your pocket.

What you need to know

• iFixit has posted its teardown video of the new iPad mini.
• The video takes a deep dive into the "jelly scroll" issue with the display of the new mini.
• The iPad mini got a 3 out of 10 repairability score.

iFixit dives into the iPad mini and its "jelly scroll" madness in its latest teardown video.

In a video posted to the iFixit YouTube channel, the outlet has taken a dive into the new iPad mini. You can check out the full teardown below:

In the video, iFixit takes a look at the "jelly scroll" issue that many users have noticed with the new iPad mini. While they do say that the issue is common in LCD screens, they point out that the issue is more noticeable on the iPad mini than on the iPad Air.

Yesterday, Apple responded to reports about the issue saying that it was "normal behavior."

While the issue has been pointed out by those with a keen eye, most users won't notice the issue. Even The Verge's Dieter Bohn, who originally pointed out the problem, said that he stopped noticing the issue after using the iPad mini for a while.

What you need to know

• Apple has responded to reports of the "jelly scroll" issue with the iPad mini.
• The company says that it is "normal behavior for LCD screens.

When Apple launched its new 6th generation iPad mini last week to much fanfare, some users began to notice an oddity with the way the display behaves when it is in portrait orientation.

As noticed by The Verge's Dieter Bohn and multiple users on Reddit, the new iPad mini exhibited the classic "jelly scrolling" issue when scrolling in portrait orientation. One side of the display would move at a slightly faster pace than the other side of the display.

Today, as reported by Ars Technica, Apple has responded to the reports, saying that they consider the issue "normal behavior" for LCD screens which the company uses in most of its iPad lineup.

While this is certainly true as far as LCD displays go, some users say they do not experience the same kind of issue with their iPad Air. Others then said they DO experience the same issue with their iPad Air. Others have said that they noticed the issue at first but eventually it disappeared for them, much like some notice the notch on the iPhone at first but then you stop noticing it after a while.

I've personally been using the iPad mini for a few days and haven't noticed the "jelly scroll," so it's safe to say it's an issue only caught by those with a more keen eye.

This all goes to say that, if the "jelly scroll" issue was giving you pause on buying the new iPad mini, you can rest easy.

What you need to know

• Apple has asked developers to ensure their apps are optimized for the new iPad mini.
• The new iPad features a new screen resolution and aspect ratio.
• Apps that are not optimized will experience black bars on the sides of the app.

Apple really wants to get iPad apps ready for the new 6th generation iPad mini.

In a post on the Apple Developer website, Apple has reminded developers to make sure their iPad apps are updated to work perfectly with the new iPad mini. The 6th generation of the iPad mini features a new screen resolution and aspect ratio so, if developers are not using the Auto Layout and size classes, their app may not conform to the new screen correctly.

Apple has provided the information needed for updating those apps to fit correctly with the new screen:

Not all apps have been updated to perfectly fit the screen of the new iPad mini. If you own one or have seen the new device highlighted in a YouTube review, you would notice that some apps have black bars on the sides of the app if it is not optimized for the new display.

Developer apps aren't the only ones not optimized for the new iPad mini. Apple's own operating system and apps are also experiencing issues with the new screen. From some display elements overlaying on top of each other to missing menu buttons in some apps, Apple also has some work to do to optimize its own software for the new iPad.

The new iPad mini, despite these issues, has received a lot of praise for its new design. The new iPad went on sale last Friday with some ship times already delayed into November depending on the configuration you are looking for.

Hello and happy new Apple product launch weekend! It feels like Christmas in September, and I hope that all of you received and are enjoying your new Apple products this weekend, whether it was a new iPhone 13 or iPad mini 6, or even a base model iPad.

So it's been a huge week. Before new products launched, we saw the release of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. Unfortunately, those eager for macOS Monterey will have to keep waiting just a little longer because it doesn't seem to be ready yet.

After months of being in the beta stages, I'm glad to finally put iOS 15 on my best iPhone, which at the time of this writing, is the iPhone 12 Pro because I'm eagerly awaiting the UPS delivery guy to get my iPhone 13 Pro to my doorstep (ugh). I previously tinkered around with the beta software on secondary devices, but now that it's on my main, I've spent a lot more time with it. I've said it a few times already, but Focus is one of those features that I didn't know I wanted, but I absolutely love. It really has helped cut out distractions while I'm working (mostly), and I love how I still have control over what notifications I get and from whom. Notifications are much better now, and I personally enjoy being able to share my Health data with my husband directly, so he's always in the know. If you want to know more about my thoughts about the new iOS, make sure to check out my complete iOS 15 review.

As I write this, I'm still waiting for my iPhone 13 Pro to be delivered (I am always on the later part of the UPS route for whatever reason, even though I got other UPS deliveries earlier). I'll have it by the time you're reading this, though, but so far, the reviews seem positive. I think the thing about the new iPhones that I'm most excited about, especially on the Pro models, is the new photo and video capabilities. As Rene Ritchie points out, it's basically a cinema rig in your pocket. I'm also especially eager for that ProMotion display, which I'm hearing is fantastic. Of course, my eyesight definitely isn't the best, so I'm not sure if I would really notice the difference, but I'll still have my iPhone 12 Pro on hand, so I will be comparing the two. And while the notch is smaller enough to display slightly more in the status bar, I'm still annoyed that we can't just have the battery percentage there all the time. Seriously, why Apple? I'd also rather know the percentage remaining instead of a vague battery icon, c'mon now.

One of the things to be aware of with the Pro models is the Macro mode. While having the ability to take macro photos is great, it seems that the automatic switching to Macro mode isn't what everyone wants all of the time. This also occurs in both photo and video mode, and users aren't too happy about it. Thankfully, it seems that Apple has acknowledged the issue and will be adding a new setting in a future release to disable the auto-switching functionality. Hopefully, it comes sooner rather than later.

Even though we just got new Apple devices, it's never too early to start talking about what's coming in the future. In last week's Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says that we should expect some significant updates for the Apple Watch, Mac Pro, MacBook Air, AirPods Pro, and iPad Pro next year.

Even though the Apple Watch Series 7 was a big disappointment this year, it seems that we may get three new Apple Watch models next year. Perhaps a new Apple Watch SE, Apple Watch Series 8 (of course), and a more "rugged" Apple Watch. I'm not sure if a rugged model would be something I would get, as I am not often in situations that require it, but I could see it being a good choice for others if it has aluminum and the sapphire crystal glass. But who knows — after this year's Series 7 disappointment, I'm a little warier of the rumors. I am eager to see how the next MacBook Air, AirPods Pro, and iPad Pros turn out, though.

And while we're talking about future products, despite the iPhone 13 just arriving, we're already getting more iPhone 14 rumors. Ming-Chi Kuo predicts a hole-punch display and a 48MP wide camera. While I personally am not so sure about that 48MP camera (that's a massive jump from the 12MP from the last several years), I welcome the hole punch instead of a notch. I know some people aren't fans, but I'd rather have a much larger screen that makes up the front without having a weird cutout at the top. I think a hole punch is less intrusive and noticeable, but again, it's not for everyone. I just want a status bar that can fit much more than what is currently allowed. Is that too much to ask for?

The other iPhone 14 rumor that I hope comes to light is an under-display Touch ID sensor, which Kuo says could happen in 2023, along with a foldable iPhone in 2024. Plenty of Android phones have such a feature, and ever since I've been wearing a mask due to the pandemic, this is something that I've been wanting. Hopefully, Kuo is on to something, and it does eventually come. Heck, I'd even take a Touch ID sensor in the side button even — I just want more ways to authenticate if Face ID doesn't work because of masks. But on the topic of a foldable iPhone, I think it would be interesting. I honestly wasn't sold on foldable phones when they first started rolling out, but I have been quite tempted by the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. Who knows — maybe Apple can create a great folding iPhone.

Anyways, that's it for this week. I hope you're all enjoying your shiny new toys, and stay tuned for some of my thoughts on the iPhone 13 Pro next week after I spend some quality time with it.

Until next time,

- Christine Romero-Chan

What you need to know

• The first customers in the world have begun to receive their new iPad mini.
• The redesigned tablet is releasing alongside the iPhone 13 and 9th generation iPad.
• Shipment dates for the mini are already out into November for some configurations.

The first customers in the world are starting to get their hands on the 6th generation iPad mini.

The new iPad mini officially releases in stores and online on Friday, September 24. While many of us still have to wait for Friday to come around, it is already that day in some countries. Customers in those countries are already getting their hands on Apple's tiny tablet and sharing it on social media.

From the tweets below, you can see a ton of things like the packaging of the new iPad mini as well as what it looks like next to Apple's larger iPads and the new iPhone 13 lineup.

The new 6th generation iPad mini features an all-new design, the company's new A15 Bionic processor, and support for the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

Along with the iPad mini, Apple is also launching the the 9th generation iPad and the iPhone 13.

The newly redesigned iPad mini isn't an iPad Pro mini. It's an iPad Air mini, which is cool because the original iPad Air was literally an iPad mini biggie. The point being, the mini and the Air, the Air and the mini, they've mostly been in lockstep over the last many years. Mostly. This year, the mini is playing catch up… but also one up. It's like a foldable phone that doesn't fold… or do traditional phone calls but can still fit in the back pocket of your non-hipster, non-skinny jeans, or the palm of many larger-sized hands.

It's getting almost all the features of Apple's sleekest iPad — bigger, edge to edge display, but candy-colored shells, if not as many colors, Touch ID in the Power button, USB-C, stereo landscape speakers, Apple Pencil 2, if no Magic Keyboard mini, Sub-6 5G, if no mmWave, but also rocking a new A15 chipset and Center-Stage capable front camera. But, in addition to losing the Home button, it's also lost its headphone jack, and while it's the most feature-packed iPad mini ever, it's also the most expensive, starting at the same 64GB, but now priced at $499. So, is Apple's biggest mini worth it?

iPad mini 6 — design

First, the iPhone X got a modern redesign. Then the Apple Watch. Then, no, not you iPad mini. Then the iPad Pro. Then, no, still not you mini. Awkward… then the iPad Air. Then, I don't know, the HomePod? But now, finally, it's the iPad mini's turn. Yes, there, but for the grace of the iPad mini and iPod touch — and yes, it's still around — it's better late than last.

And I only say finally because the iPad mini kicked off the previous round of redesigns, followed fast by the Touch, the Air, the iPhone 6, and the very first Pro. So, maybe it earned a bit of a break this round, even if break-time is now over.

And the way Apple's implemented the new iPad mini design language is both incredibly similar to what they did with the iPad Air last year, but also unique to the mini because mini.

The Home button is gone, and about a quarter of the bezel with it. What's left is rounded now at the corners and stretched from the original 7.9 to a new 8.3-inches.

It doesn't have as many pixels as the Air anymore, but it's still got the highest density of any iPad, so text and graphics are still super sharp; it just feels… remarkably roomy for a mini.

The vastness is especially good for watching TV shows, movies, YouTube videos, and AR experiences. The lightweight also makes it way easier to use for more extended periods. For work and fun. And for a price, but I'll get to that in a minute.

Now, because there's no Home button, you navigate with gestures now, like swiping up to go Home. Same as the recent iPad Pro, iPad Air, and the last several years of iPhones. It takes an hour to a day to get used to, and then you're flying, especially with the new multi-windowing button and App Library that come as part of iPadOS 15.

Because there's no headphone jack, you have to use USB-C headphones or go wireless with AirPods or something similar. It can be a pain if you love a specific set of wired headphones, but for me, at least, wireless really seems to fit the on-go nature of the iPad mini.

Where the iPad Pro feels like a big, professional rig, the iPad mini really feels like… run and gun; for people who need something bigger than a phone, but not as big as a traditional tablet.

I think that's why Apple finally decided to make the mini, to begin with, and why the mini has proven to be so popular with people who want or need to take the work onto the field, on rounds, into the lab, on-site, or into the sky.

One of the few things I'm semi-salty about is that the mini's gotten one less color than the Air. Space gray, good old space gray, starlight instead of silver, which has just a dash of gold, pink instead of rose gold, and a new purple, which the Air doesn't have, but no sky blue or mint green, which the Air does.

Now… the mini does have something else the Air doesn't. 5G NR. At least Frequency Range 1 5G. Sub-6. The low and mid bands. No FR2, high band, mmWave. And why does this stuff always have so many initialisms? But also, Wi-Fi 6, if not the new 6Ghz version, Wi-Fi 6E. This just means the new mini has among the fastest wireless networking, if not the absolute fastest. How much that matters to you will depend on your home router and local cellular carriers.

That includes USB-C, which continues to replace Lightning or USB-A on all Apple Products not named iPhone. Or the aforementioned 9th gen iPad. And Mac accessories. But I digress!

It's pure USB-C, like the iPad Air, not Thunderbolt, as the iPad Pro, but it's compatible with all the most popular modern computer peripherals, which is the point.

iPad mini 6 — performance

iPad mini 6 is powered by the A15 Bionic, Apple's latest-generation chipset, and the same one powering the iPhone 13 Pro. And yeah, specifically the Pro, because it's the 5 GPU Core version, like the Pro.

That extra graphics core and the new video encode and decode blocks. The rest of the generational improvements will help with everything from heavy gaming to video multi-stream video editing with effects.

The image signal processor or ISP in the A15 also brings Smart HDR3 to the iPad mini. That's the same computational photography system as the iPhone 12, if not 13. The difference is that Smart HDR4, aside from just general improvements, can separately and specifically process individual faces in a group shot. So, it's not huge, but I still find it curious.

iPad mini 6 — cameras

Because the cameras have gotten a big boost, the back wide-angle is now 12 megapixels and f/1.8. With a TrueTone flash, if you need it. The front wide-angle… well, it's ultra-wide-angle now. Because it's also Center Stage enabled now. That's a technology Apple debuted with the new iPad Pro back in April. It basically crops down and pans and scans around to keep you in the frame as you… walk around. And then zooms in and out if and when more people join you or leave you in the frame. It's super fun if you have a family or, you know, a standing desk for work.

All of this comes at a price. Specifically, $100 more than the previous iPad mini. $499 for 32 GB, $649 for 256 GB. Add $150 if you want 5G, which will be… a lot for some people. Especially because the bigger, simultaneously updated, but still on the older design, 10.2-inch iPad 9th generation still starts at $329 for 64 GB.

This could work for you if you stream and cloud store everything and work primarily in front-ends and web apps. But if not, you have to go all the way to 256GB because there's no 128GB sweet spot. And if even that's not enough, then you have to abandon the mini and go Pro, where you can get up to 2 TB.

Either way here's hoping as Apple pays down the tech in the new mini and Air, we see the prices go back down.

iPad mini 6 — Apple Pencil 2

There's no tiny Magic Keyboard mini, which isn't surprising because mini is a little disappointing so far as I'd love to see Apple come up with a big solution for that small problem. There's no smart connector either, which means no direct third-party alternatives are possible. But any Bluetooth keyboard will work.

There is the Apple Pencil 2, which is absolutely my favorite new feature after the new design. I've been using it since 2018 on the iPad Pro and since last year on the Air, and I love it. All caps love it. It attaches magnetically, charges inductively, and I basically forget it even has a battery in it because it's just always there and available. It's also got a captive button on the side you can use for switching tools, like from drawing or writing to erasing.

The last mini got the Original Apple Pencil back in 2019, making it the ultimate traveling sketch pad. Apple Pencil 2 makes it just that much better.

Now, putting the Pencil on the side meant moving the volume buttons to the top. This is weird at first, but — and this is cool — they're orientation aware, so if you spin your iPad mini 180 degrees, the up and down buttons reverse. I didn't notice it at first because it was just kinda intuitive.

For Touch ID in the Power Button, Apple prompts you to register both a left and right finger as part of the setup process. That way, whether you're holding it in portrait or landscape, you'll always have a finger right there to authenticate. Clever Apple.

iPad mini 6 — bottom line

If I sound just most shades of enthusiastic about all this, it's because I am. I love the mini. It's the ultimate comic book reader. Yes, fine, all kinds of books, portable gaming system, digital field notes, on-location portfolio, flight manual, charting, researching, pretty much on the go everything.

So, you should upgrade from a previous iPad mini? Shrink-grade from an older regular iPad or Air?

It depends on how compelling any or all of the new features are for you, from the design to the Pencil 2, to the A15, not just being way faster now, but being able to handle iPadOS and app updates for the next five or more years.

That's why my advice is always, wait as long as you can to upgrade, upgrade when you need to, get the best you can afford, and then enjoy the hell out of it with zero regrets because they'll always be something new and something next.

What you need to know

• Reviews and unboxings of the new iPad mini 6 are here.
• Here's a roundup of some of the best.

Apple's new iPad mini 6 is here, and creators and influencers, as usual, are the first to get their hands on it. Here's a roundup of some of the best iPad mini unboxings and reviews:

iJustine

Marques Brownlee

Dave2D

Andru Edwards

UrAvgConsumer

DailyTekk

Sara Dietschy

SuperSaf

Christopher Lawley

MacStories

Lance Ulanoff

Mobile Syrup

Macworld

Apple's new iPad mini was unveiled last week alongside the iPhone 13. From Apple:

Though it only got announced last week, Apple's all-new iPad mini 6 is already discounted at Amazon. With $39 off there, this is the first major discount the device has seen making Amazon the best place to buy iPad mini 6 at this pre-order stage.

With the sixth-generation model, iPad mini is seeing a complete design overhaul. The device now has an edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display, similar to those found on the iPad Air 4 and latest iPad Pro models, and its screen size has increased to 8.3 inches without the overall footprint increasing.

Gone are the 'forehead and chin' bezels, replaced by an all-screen design and Touch ID built into the top button. The device has also gained support for Apple's more advanced Apple Pencil 2.

It's just as significant an upgrade on the inside, too, with the jump to Apple's A15 Bionic chip. The new SoC allows for 40% faster performance in terms of raw CPU and an 80% boost to GPU performance compared to the previous-gen iPad mini. iPad mini 6 also has USB-C connectivity and 5G support in the cellular models making it the best iPad to use on the go.

There's no clear indication as to when this Amazon sale will end, though only the space gray model is in stock so we expect it won't be long before this deal expires. iPad mini pre-orders begin shipping on Friday, September 24.

What you need to know

• Shipment times for the new iPad mini are already slipping into October or November.
• Some Apple Stores still have availability for pick up on launch day.
• The iPad mini will launch on Friday, September 24.

Shipment times on Apple's redesigned 6th generation iPad mini are already slipping months into the future.

Certain configurations of Apple's new iPad mini are already experiencing delayed deliveries. According to the Apple Store website, some configurations are already pushed out into the middle or even late October. Others are pushed out as far out as November.

The new iPad mini in Space Gray with the 64GB and WiFi-only configuration, for example, is already pushed out to delivery dates between October 19 and November 2. It really depends on the exact configuration you are looking for as the delivery dates vary widely. The exact same configuration but in the pink color is still available for delivery on launch day (at least at the time of writing this article).

Apple announced the new iPad mini at its "California Streaming" event last week. The redesigned iPad mini takes on the form factor of the iPad Air and iPad Pro and boasts a new screen, processor, cameras, and also now works with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil.

The iPad mini will officially launch on Friday, September 24. If you are experiencing delayed shipping times for delivery to your home, you can also check to see if you'll have better luck at your local Apple Store. There are some that still have launch day availability as well.

What you need to know

• Apple announced a stunning new iPad mini earlier this week.
• It brings 5G support for cellular models for the first time.
• This will be limited to sub-6 GHz, as opposed to the faster mmWave 5G of iPhone 13.

Apple's new iPad mini 6, announced earlier this week, supports 5G but only sub-6 GHz as opposed to mmWave.

As noted by Sascha Segan on Twitter:

Apple touted the improved cellular connectivity of the iPad mini at its event, from the release:

Segan's revelation, however, unveils that the new iPad mini does not support mmWave 5G. That faster version of 5G is reserved for Apple's iPhone 13, which got some new custom hardware for compatibility over more 5G bands. Apple says that support for 5G will be available on 200 carriers in 60 different countries by the end of the year. Despite multiple leaks to the contrary, Apple did not expand mmWave 5G to any other countries as expected, and the feature remains limited to the United States on the iPhone 13, just like it was on iPhone 12.

Event days are like Christmas for Apple nerds. While the general public will probably mostly hear about iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, and even the new entry-level 9th-gen iPad, niche sites like ours are spaces where we can get excited about things with a little less mainstream appeal.

As a fan of Apple's products, the all-new iPad mini 6 is what really stole the show for me at Apple's September event. The iPad mini line was long overdue an update, and boy did it get one.

I have been toying with the idea of getting an iPad mini for my downtime. I use my iPad for work, and it's generally attached to a Smart Keyboard when in use for this purpose, and it's in a stand of some kind when using it for media streaming.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is far too cumbersome, in my opinion, to use handheld for long periods of time, making it less than an ideal device for reading, watching movies, or playing games — all the things I think an iPad mini is great for.

The problem is, the iPad mini 5 was getting pretty long in the tooth with its A12 Bionic chip and old-school design. It was hard to justify spending $400 on a device from 2019, with components from 2018 and a design straight out of 2012. So, I waited it out.

Enter iPad mini 6

With the iPad mini 6, gone is the old-school 'forehead and chin' design that housed the Home button and FaceTime camera in favor of an iPad Air 4-inspired redesign.

The screen now takes up more of the device's face with a Liquid Retina display that goes edge-to-edge, adding almost half an inch of additional screen real estate without making the overall footprint any larger. Keeping the portability, for me, is key as I want a device I can comfortably hold for long periods of time.

As well as a better display, the audio experience has been improved with stereo support when used in landscape orientation. This is going to make the iPad mini a great movie-watching device.

On top of that, the iPad mini 6 has had an internal overhaul with a powerful new A15 Bionic chip — the same found in the iPhone 13 — for 40% faster CPU performance and a huge 80% faster GPU performance. It's also got better cameras, including a front-facing camera with Center Stage, making it an excellent FaceTime device.

Though I intend to use the iPad mini 6 as a chill-out device primarily, it's also got USB-C and supports the same Apple Pencil as my iPad Pro so I could feasibly incorporate it into my workflow if I wanted to. For those using the iPad mini alone, these are worthwhile additions that help to future-proof the device.

Price hike

When looking at the iPad mini 6 versus the iPad mini 5, the only downside is that the starting price has been raised by $100. That's a significant chunk of change and something that might put off a lot of buyers.

At $399, the previous-gen iPad mini was pushing the limits of what people would be willing to pay for a small tablet. However, at $499, Apple is really leaning into this being a niche device for those that really want the most performance in the smallest possible package.

iPad mini 6 is not really competing with Amazon's Fire tablets or Samsung's slates, though. However, with the upgrades Apple has given it and the power of iPadOS 15, it's in a class of its own and has firmly solidified its place among the best iPad models available.

It's definitely an expensive tablet, and if the price had stayed at $399, you might have been able to make a better case for its value, but if it's performance per square inch you're after, it's still a top choice and, for me, the best thing to come out of Apple's September event.

Is the iPad mini 6 for you?

Are you ogling the iPad mini 6 or wondering why anyone would spend that amount of money on an 8-inch tablet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Apple's iPad mini 6 sits comfortably in Apple's lineup alongside the other best iPad models it offers, thanks to its design overhaul and internal spec bumps. It's better than the iPad mini 5 in pretty much every regard, though it is considerably more expensive. So, it won't be for everyone.

iPad mini 6 vs. iPad mini 5: Key Differences

Since the iPad mini 6 has had such a significant upgrade inside and out, there are many differences between it and the previous-gen model. Just a couple of spec list items remaining the same. Here are some tech specs for comparison:

From looking at the specs and the new design, it's clear that the iPad mini 6 is technically more advanced than any iPad mini that came before it. Often, the generation-to-generation changes aren't super pronounced with Apple products, so you can skip every other upgrade in the product cycle. That's not the case going from the iPad mini 5 to the iPad mini 6, as the differences are night and day.

iPad mini 6 vs. iPad mini 5: All the new things

By virtually every measure, you are getting a better product in the iPad mini 6. It has gained a slightly larger, edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display without making the overall footprint bigger or the battery life worse. iPad mini 6 also runs a chip that is 40% faster in terms of CPU and 80% more performant in terms of GPU. Also, it has some significant camera updates on both sides of the device. It even gains Apple Pencil 2 support, USB-C, and 5G connectivity on the cellular-enabled models.

All of those updates are packed into a form factor that looks like a miniature iPad Air meaning the iPad mini now looks like a modern device in Apple's product lineup.

The only metric by which it compares unfavorably is price. The iPad mini 6 starts at $499 — up $100 compared to the starting price of the iPad mini 5 when it launched. The redesign also means existing iPad mini accessories are no good.

iPad mini 6 vs. iPad mini 5: Should you upgrade?

This is the biggest upgrade we've seen in the iPad mini lineup in years — ever, even. The A15 Bionic chip provides a huge performance boost, and taking the display edge to edge has allowed for more screen real estate without increasing the device's overall footprint. That's in addition to camera upgrades, features like USB-C and 5G, and a redesign that brings the small tablet into the modern era.

Unlike a lot of Apple releases, the iPad mini 6 represents a huge improvement over its direct predecessor. This is not an incremental change. That means anyone rocking an older iPad mini should feel confident in upgrading to the latest model.

The only reasons anyone should snag the iPad mini 5 right now are if you don't want to spend the extra money to get the 2021 model, desperately want to keep hold of your existing iPad mini accessories, or are just way more familiar with the Home button-style design. If you can afford the new model, get it, and you won't be disappointed.

What you need to know

• Apple announced its new iPad mini yesterday.
• It comes with a 100% recycled aluminum enclosure.
• That means the entire iPad lineup now boasts this change.

Apple confirmed yesterday that with the release of iPad mini 6, its entire iPad lineup now features 100% recycled aluminum for their enclosures.

The company stated:

Apple reiterated that it still plans to go net-zero for climate impact by 2030. Beyond the enclosure, the iPad mini also uses 100 percent recycled tin on the logic board and 100% recycled rare earth elements.

iPhone 13 also got some environmental changes, using upcycled plastic water bottles for its antenna lines, and has redesigned the iPhones packaging:

iPad mini also boasts a new A15 chip and a brand new design. You can see a rundown of where to buy the iPad mini 6 here.

The iPad mini has been totally redesigned for 2021. That's great news for fans of Apple's diminutive tablet since it means the company is paying attention to the small tablet market after leaving the iPad mini untouched since 2019 (and in need of a redesign for much longer). However, it's not so great for existing iPad mini accessories.

In the iPad mini 6, we see a totally new chassis with squared-off edges akin to the latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models, as well as a change in screen size — up to 8.3 inches from 7.9 inches. Though the overall footprint isn't that different, the shape change means that any cases and covers you had for your iPad mini 5 won't be good for the new model, so you'll need to buy a specific iPad mini 6 case.

While we know tons of third-party cases will hit the market in the coming weeks and months, Apple is the best place to order an iPad mini 6 case from at launch since Apple is the only company that (officially) knew the product existed before today.

Apple has already unveiled a new Smart Folio for iPad mini 6 that covers the front and back of your new device and doubles up as a stand. It comes in a variety of colors to compliment the new iPad mini hues.

Along with a physical redesign Apple's latest iPad mini has been given a serious power boost, though its price has also risen.

Inside, it's now powered by an A15 Bionic chip that allows for 40% faster performance in terms of raw CPU, while GPU performance will jump 80% over the previous generation, according to Apple.

The display now has 500 nits of brightness, the addition of P3 Wide Color, and True Tone. It also has an anti-reflective screen coating for less glare and a fully laminated display for more vivid color and better visibility in different lighting settings.

Front and back cameras also got some attention, moving to 12MP sensors on both sides. The front-facing camera in particular is extra handy as it now features a wider viewing angle and support for Center Stage on video calls.

That's all on top of a new design, USB-C connectivity, 5G in the cellular models, Apple Pencil 2 support, and more.

All of these stellar updates come at a cost, though. The starting price of iPad mini has gone up by $100 so you now need to spend $499 to get in the door. If the new features aren't worth it for you, or you want to keep your old accessories, you'll want to consider whether an upgrade is the right move.

August is among us, believe it or not. Really, it seems time has just flown by this year. Personally, it's a little terrifying for me since I have a little one on the way, and I'll be taking my first steps into the wonderful world of parenthood in just a few more months. Honestly, it's a little stressful but exciting too. Anyways, we're just about a month away from new iPhones, so let's get right down to it.

Unfortunately, with the way things have been going, it is becoming less and less likely that we are getting an in-person iPhone 13 event in September. With COVID-19 still around with a Delta variant and cases rising, it looks like we'll have to do another virtual event this year, as even Apple is delaying having employees return to the offices. Honestly, while the virtual events work really well, I still miss the excitement of in-person events. I enjoyed seeing my all of my online Twitter friends and colleagues posting photos of meeting Tim Cook and other Apple executives, and even just seeing the hands-on photos and videos of the new products. Plus, the live presentations always had some nice moments, as well as some cringey ones, but it's the ambiance that I miss. Sigh — maybe next year? Who knows at this point. But at least with virtual events, no one is missing out on anything, really, so I guess it's a decent tradeoff.

A recent report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week was about how Face ID could be coming to Macs, as well as all iPhones and iPads within a few years. This is an exciting bit of news because I've wanted this for a while now. Ever since Apple brought Face ID with the iPhone X, I always thought this would make perfect sense on something like a computer. Instead, we're still using Touch ID on Macs and most iPads. While I understand that Touch ID has been useful while we're out and about with face masks on, you are less likely to have your mask on while using an iPad or your favorite MacBook. Again, Face ID on everything is still a few years away, according to the report, but it's something that I'll be looking forward to very much.

And I know that the hot news right now is the iPhone 13, but that isn't stopping rumors that the iPhone 14 could have a titanium chassis upgrade. I mean, currently, the iPhone 12 uses aluminum, with the iPhone 12 Pro having stainless steel, so titanium would definitely be a big upgrade. I actually prefer titanium (it's what the case on my Apple Watch Series 5 is made from) because it seems to be so lightweight and quite durable, at least from my experience. My best Apple Watch, which I've had for over two years now, is pretty much scuff-free, even though I often bump my wrist into things. So yeah, sign me up for a titanium iPhone 14, but I'd be curious what colors that will come in — more colorful options for the Pro lineup, Apple, please!

Moving on to the larger sibling of the iPhone, it seems that the next iPad Air could be getting more Pro-like features, while the iPad mini 6 may not get a major redesign after all. According to this rumor, the 5th generation iPad Air may be seeing an upgrade with a dual-lens camera system, LiDAR, and 4-speaker audio system. Of course, this is kind of expected with the major redesign that the iPad Air 4 had last year, which made it look much more like an iPad Pro on the surface. But if it's true that the iPad mini 6, and possibly the base model iPad, aren't going to get a redesign to make it more like the rest of the lineup, that's disappointing, especially for mini fans. I mean, those models still look like the originals, and it's gotten stale when you compare it with the Air and Pro lineup — isn't it time for a change? I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

In terms of Mac, it seems that those who have been waiting for a larger iMac with M1 will need to wait a bit longer because it may not be ready until next year. This is supposed to be the iMac model that replaces the 27-inch iMac (2020) (which I bought and am using right now) with a possibly larger display. While this news is another letdown, it makes sense, given all of the component shortages in the industry right now. Honestly, I definitely wouldn't have lasted — I was working on an old 2013 15-inch MacBook Pro before my iMac, and it was pretty much on its last legs at that point. There is no way I could have held out another year for a big iMac!

Speaking of Intel-based Macs, it seems that Apple isn't completely leaving us in the dust. The fourth macOS Monterey beta brings Live Text support for Intel Macs, which was originally going to be an M1 Mac-only feature. While this is just one feature, it may be a good sign of things, and at least Apple is kind of giving Intel users some respect, in a way. Hopefully, this isn't the only previously M1-only feature that can be made available for Intel Macs. I don't expect every feature, but maybe one more before the public release would be nice. After all, I want my 27-inch iMac to last a good few years, you know?

And since we're closing in on the fall, this also means iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 are just around the corner. Some code has been found within iOS 15 that hints at a new verification system when adding ID cards to the Wallet app. It'll have a setup that is similar to Face ID, so it's not just taking a photo of your face. This is exciting, because again, I've been waiting for digital ID cards for a very long time, and it's good to see that it's finally coming to fruition, though availability depends on where you live. This new verification method should help convince skeptics who thought this could encourage fraud — though nothing is perfect, it's a step in the right direction. I'm eager to see where this goes, and hopefully, I can try this out sooner rather than later.

Anyways, that's it for this week. Until next time.

- Christine Romero-Chan