iPad mini (6th Generation)
Apple (MacRumors, Hacker News):
Apple today introduced the powerful new iPad mini — with a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display — in four gorgeous finishes. Featuring the brand new A15 Bionic chip, the new iPad mini delivers up to 80 percent faster performance than the previous generation, making it the most capable iPad mini ever. A new USB-C port allows faster connectivity, and cellular models with 5G bring more flexible mobile workflows. New advanced cameras, Center Stage, and support for Apple Pencil (2nd generation) enable new ways for users to capture photos and videos, communicate with loved ones, and jot down their ideas when creativity strikes.
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Wi-Fi models of iPad mini are available with a starting price of $499 (US) and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $649 (US). The new iPad mini, in 64GB and 256GB configurations, comes in pink, starlight, purple, and space gray finishes.
My iPad mini 2 died a while ago, and I decided to switch to a larger screen with an iPad Air (4th generation) earlier this summer. I don’t regret it. However, this new iPad mini looks really great, pretty much what I was hoping Apple would do.
Previously:
Update (2021-09-16): Joe Rossignol:
Both the iPhone 13 and the new iPad mini are equipped with Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, but benchmark results reveal that the chip is downclocked to 2.9GHz in the iPad mini, compared to 3.2GHz in all iPhone 13 models.
5 Comments RSS · Twitter
The bezels are not that small, and screen actually is a bit narrower screen than iPad mini 5. 1488px vs 1536, with the same ppi.
Mag safe would be nice, but smart connector is what I really miss.
Top of the line config, with case and pencil, tax etc will be about $1000, not that cheap also.
I only use my IPad mini for Apple Books. Too bad they don’t offer a basic model like the iPad.
Even the base model cost is a bit much. I purchased the iPad 8th Gen in June for everyday use - my first full size iPad. I still use my iPad mini 1st Gen (stuck at iOS 9.3.5) to web surf, fetch files from Google Drive and play software synthesizers, but it lives solely in my recording studio.
Well, can't say the reports of a "downclocked A15" are making me more excited about my purchase.
(I've used my mini 2 mostly for reading too, which is why it's lasted me so long, but pandemic rules mean I want to optimize for an iOS device that works around the house. I like small when I'm actually mobile (had an SE1, was considering an iPhone mini), but now I can go really large.)
Ditto. I’ve somehow convinced myself “not yet” on my mini… a 2… until now. Got bad enough I was eying Kindle 10s recently to tide me over.
This one looks great. A15, nice screen improvement, pencil support. Also glad to see Touch ID stick around.
I would’ve preferred a floor of 128 gigs to match the iPhones, but fine. That’s the only place they seemed to have obviously skimped. Well that and no MagSafe, but that’s me dreaming.
Already ordered.
The iPhone on the other hand… super incremental changes. Extra battery life was tempting, but I’ll stick with the SE2 a little longer.