2024 iPad Mini and 2021 iPad Mini: Spot the difference

There are two types of product updates: large design updates and small incremental upgrades. Changes for 2024 are limited, but the new iPad Mini primarily falls into the second category. Here’s why:

Same chassis, new iPad Mini

Apple is known for repurposing old hardware into new products, and the 2024 iPad Mini is a similar example. The latest model uses the same chassis and has exactly the same dimensions and weight as the iPad Mini (6th generation). The Wi-Fi model is 10.33 oz (293 g) and the cellular model is 10.47 oz (297 g).

So how can you tell the two models apart? Well, the 2024 iPad Mini comes in two new colors (in addition to Starlight and Space Gray): Blue and Purple. Additionally, there’s no physical SIM card slot in the right frame, as Apple has moved to eSIM-only this year. There’s also a USB-C port on the bottom instead of the Lightning port.

Other physical elements remain the same, including the placement of the volume buttons, Touch ID, speaker, camera, and Apple Pencil magnetic connector.

New iPad Mini supports Apple Pencil Pro

Again, there’s not much to discuss about the display, the 2024 iPad Mini simply borrows the screen from the 2021 model. It’s an 8.3-inch IPS panel with a resolution of 2266 x 1488 (326 ppi) and a peak brightness of 500 nits. This screen also supports Apple’s True Tone technology.

Like its predecessor, the latest iPad Mini features a fully laminated display with anti-reflective coating. However, Apple Pencil Pro is now supported.

Apple Pencil Pro now offers several features, including Barrel Roll (allows you to rotate the stylus for precise pen/brush control) and Squeeze (reveals a palette to switch between tools). Apple Pencil Pro also features a haptic engine that provides feedback when you access intuitive controls.

Learn more about the differences between Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C.

A17 Pro drops support for Apple Intelligence

So far, the comparisons between the tablets have not been very interesting, but in this section things may change for the better (at least for enthusiasts).

The new iPad Mini gets a big spec boost in the form of the A17 Pro chip. Compared to the A15 Bionic chip in the previous iPad Mini, the latest model offers 30% more performance and 25% more graphics power. Simply put, the iPad Mini now performs on par with the iPhone 15 Pro. It can handle the heaviest apps and video games (even AAA titles).

The Neural Engine that powers on-device AI capabilities delivers 100% better performance than the previous generation (35 TOPS vs. 15.8 TOPS). A17 Pro’s CPU, GPU, and NPU combine to generate enough power to support Apple Intelligence. Apple Intelligence is coming to tablets with the launch of iPadOS 18.1.

Apple hasn’t revealed the RAM size for the latest iPad Mini, but we expect it to be 8GB (similar to the iPhone 15 Pro). It’s worth noting that the base storage has been upgraded from 64 GB to 128 GB, as Apple Intelligence can take up a significant chunk of it.

But here we return to the starting point of the comparison. The performance improvements and support for Apple Intelligence may sound interesting at first, but existing 2021 iPad Mini owners, especially those who use the device for everyday tasks like browsing the internet and watching some videos, It may not be attractive to users. Take notes in class.

However, this updated tablet may appeal to power users looking for a device that’s larger than an iPhone but small enough to take anywhere.

Both tablets run iPadOS 18

Apple has already rolled out iPadOS 18 for the 2021 iPad Mini, with new features to customize the home screen, a revamped Control Center, and options to lock and hide apps. Additionally, Notes Smart Scripts are available. This feature helps you refine your natural handwriting, correct spelling, and convert typed text into handwritten text.

Another notable feature, Math Notes, helps students solve math equations in the Notes app. Other apps like Photos, Messages, Safari, FaceTime, and Maps will also be updated with iPadOS 18. However, the only thing users will miss out on if they decide to stick with their older iPad Mini is the Apple Intelligence part. Still, the iPad needs at least one or two more operating system upgrades before Apple abandons it.

Both tablets have similar cameras and battery life

The 6th generation 2021 iPad Mini had a 12MP (f/1.8) camera on the back and a 12MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide camera on the front (short side). And, to no one’s surprise, Apple is using the same sensor (exactly the same layout) as the new iPad Mini.

Some might expect a longer front camera, similar to the new iPad Air and iPad Pro models, but the magnetic connector for the Apple Pencil Pro might take up too much space for that. I think so.

Anyway, there is one small improvement that is easy to overlook. That’s Smart HDR 4 on the latest iPad Mini. This isn’t a big deal, it just means the 2024 iPad Mini will be able to capture images with higher contrast, more detail and clarity than before. Other than that, it’s basically the same camera setup, allowing you to record video at up to 4K resolution (the front camera is limited to 1080p at 60 fps).

As for battery life, both iPads have the same 19.3 watt-hour lithium polymer battery, which lasts up to 10 and 9 hours of web surfing for Wi-Fi and cellular models, respectively. Charging speed could have been improved, but Apple doesn’t mention anything about it in the spec sheet.

2024 iPad Mini has better connectivity options

The new iPad Mini supports Wi-Fi 6E, which allows for a third 6GHz band and provides faster download/upload speeds than Wi-Fi 6 on older models. However, to benefit from new technology, you need a compatible router. The new iPad also has Bluetooth 5.3, which should provide a more stable connection than the previous iPad’s Bluetooth v5.0. Both iPads support sub-6GHz 5G on cellular models.

Both tablets feature USB-C ports, but the 2024 iPad Mini supports data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, up from 5 Gbps on previous models. This can be beneficial for users who work with larger data files and carry external storage drives every day. Both iPads support a single 4K external display, but the new model can provide 60Hz output (up to 30Hz).

Apple maintains prices from 3 years ago

The 2024 iPad mini will be available in the US and other markets starting October 23rd for $499 for the baseline model with Wi-Fi connectivity and 128GB of storage. Including cellular connectivity increases the price to $649.

This is the same price as the iPad Mini (6th generation) when it debuted in 2021. However, in the older versions, the base version came with 64 GB of storage. If you can manage with that kind of on-device storage, you can buy the 2021 iPad Mini at Walmart for $389.

The 2024 iPad Mini may not be an attractive upgrade for existing owners unless it emphasizes Apple Intelligence, can use the intuitive features of Apple Pencil Pro, and benefits from faster USB speeds. yeah.

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  Apple iPad mini (2024)

  The 7th generation iPad Mini features an AI-enabled A17 Pro chip, Apple Pencil Pro support, and 128GB of initial storage.

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  Apple iPad Mini (2021)

  $380 $499 Save $119

  Apple iPad Mini 2021 is a compact tablet with a powerful chip and a feature-rich camera system.