So it’s been a while (eight years to be exact) since Apple launched its first iPad Mini to accommodate those who wanted a device larger than their phone but smaller than their laptop. We have to admit that we did not think it was a good idea at the time, but we have since been convinced that having a tablet is one of the best gadgets to own.
Why stream new episodes of The Witcher Season 2 on Netflix on your tiny smartphone screen? Why sit bored in a train when you can play games on the go? In fact, a decent iPad can replace your handset in almost every way, especially if you consider Apple’s latest Mini, which is light, portable, stylish and impressively powerful to keep up with modern life.
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Our e-commerce technical editor has been testing the new model for a week or two now and has seen so much DopeSick and Succession as possible, flip through social media and clean up the Christmas shopping list, and they reckon this latest iPad may be one of the best devices you pick up in 2022, here’s the reason:
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Price
One of the best things about Apple’s new iPad Mini is that it’s affordable, starting at £ 479 for the basic 64GB version. However, we do not think you want to get it specifically, as 64 GB is not really that much to accommodate all your apps, snaps and videos. The 256GB model jumps up to £ 619, which is a welcome addition if you are a photo-hoarder who refuses to delete anything.
You can also get this new iPad with an LTE data connection to use away from wifi just like your phone. You add it as an extra payment along with your phone contract and then you will be able to use the data to stream or play on the go.
Apple
Offers for this version of the Mini range from around £ 10 to over £ 30 a month and you may have to pay in advance depending on the network you are on. EE customers can get a 10% discount on all Apple iPads, or get dual data and one free three-month subscription to Disney + for £ 20 in advance and £ 25 a month with O2.
Most trains, planes and cafes have wifi these days, but the signal is not good most of the time and the connection may not be secure from cybercriminals, so it’s great to have your own data quota if you want to stay connected without trust on public internet.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Processor
Apple has upgraded its chip processing system almost every year, with the latest A15 Bionic placed in the latest iPhone 13 series and these new iPads. In its own words, Apple estimates that this Mini will be about 40% faster than the 2019 edition, but we did not notice any abnormally high speeds when flipping through apps.
However, we saw no app crashes and we could merrily jump between apps without really noticing any slut. Honestly, it’s hard to say how much of a difference a new processor really makes in real terms, but it’s a good marketing spin.
Apple
It affects how you use specific apps, like helping you shoot sharp 4K videos with the camera or allowing you to respond faster to mobile games. Along with that, A15 Bionic unlocks 5G data connections so you can insert the 5G SIM card we mentioned above and get faster downloads.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Design
That should be obvious, but the Mini is a smaller and lighter tablet compared to some of Apple’s other iPads, measuring three inches smaller than this year’s Pro model, even though it’s 0.4 inches larger than the Mini iPad from 2019.
But this new one loses the curved body of its predecessor in favor of the flatter shape we see in the latest iPhone 13 series. We think this new design looks significantly better than the older version – we never realized how much we would appreciate our iPad lying flat on the table instead of rocking a bit like a high-tech turtle. OK, it wasn’t quite as bad on the old model, but the brushed metal finish on the back and the minimalist lens setup just looks a little cleaner to us.
This new one loses the “home” button that was at the bottom center of the older devices and instead places the Touch ID scanner in the power button at the top. It does not have any Face ID software, which is a bit of a skirt, but we have never really struggled to unlock the iPad with this new system.
Apple refuses to let go of the space gray option on any of its devices, so the color returns, but there are three new choices for the latest model: purple, pink and starlight, which replace the white you may have seen on the other phones and tablets. We had the purple model for testing and really appreciated the glimmer of subtle colors.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Screen
We were impressed with the Mini’s new 8.3-inch screen, which extends almost from edge to edge and takes up more space on the front of the tablet compared to older models, giving you plenty of room to view multiple tweets at once. It’s Liquid Retina (which is Apple’s way of saying it’s a little better than Full HD), so it’s great for watching TV shows or movies on the go.
It’s also a bit brighter than previous models, so you do not have to have it screwed up that high to see anything in low light. Because of this, colors also seem to be more vibrant, and playing games is a dream come true.
We were disappointed not to see the ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate found on the latest iPhone 13 and 13 Pro smartphones, but you will not want to miss it on these tablets. Games still look good, and scrolling through your Instagram is just as responsive.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Camera
We would harshly judge anyone who chooses to bring an iPad to a party or bar to take pictures, but if you absolutely * have * for this latest Mini, this is a decent option. The back of the tablet has a single 12 MP wide-angle lens that can take some reasonable pictures as long as you are not far away from your subject.
Since it’s a wide-angle lens, trying to zoom in can not do much, as images begin to blur, but close-up shots are remarkably clear and detailed. We would love to see an ultra-wide or a telephoto on the tablet to enhance the photography, but to be honest, for the sake of convenience, we would recommend that you stick to your smartphone if you want to take a picture anyway.
Apple
The selfie camera is a 12 MP wide angle lens that is wonderful for video calling. You get the ingenious Center Stage function for work calls or family zoom, where the lens follows your face around the room as you move, so you are always in focus.
The processor does a great job of improving the quality of your photos and will help take 4K 60 fps video recordings that you will inevitably post on your social media. The individual lens is a shame and it looks a bit lonely on the back of the device, but again, if your tablet is not your main device for photos, there is not much to complain about.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Battery Life
You get the same 10-hour battery that was present in the Apple iPad from 2019, which means you (at least according to Apple) should have about a 10-hour battery. In our test, we got between eight and nine hours per. charging and we used it quite a lot. We wanted to test gaming, see a section of DopeSick at Disney + and follow on social media throughout the day, and found that it would last about two days of use.
It’s not great, but it’s about as long as most tablets last these days. However, it comes with a USB-C cable, so you can recharge it up to 100% in just under two hours. However, there is no wireless charging, which we feel is a mistake.
iPad Mini 2021 Review – Judgment
So is it really worth your time? We reckon that if you have an older iPad you are considering replacing, or if you have never even bothered to buy a tablet before, this may be the perfect gadget to bring you into the new year.
It is light, powerful and comes with lots of upgrades compared to its predecessors without bursting your bank balance. For around £ 600 or less, you will not find many tablets that are better at keeping you connected online, making you look good on your video calls, or helping you catch up on the latest apps and movies when you’re away from your tv.
Apple
What we love about it is the effortless portability of this device. By that we mean you can take it with you almost anywhere, and still use it with one hand. We found ourselves trapped in a 20-minute episode of US office while on a cramped train into London. We could call friends to wish them a Merry Christmas without laying down our eggnog.
At no point did we feel the need to log on to our computer or laptop or pull out our smartphone while we were at home as the Mini felt great for performing all of our tasks quickly.
For those of you with a more modern tablet, or who like to use their smartphone around the house, it may not be worth the upgrade as it is still a resilient set that will eventually become a slightly larger phone, but if you If you’re in the market for a new tablet, it’s affordable enough not to put you too far out of pocket.
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