I still remember when Apple released the iPad mini. Before I got it, I thought, “Maybe I should just use my cell phone.” But after trying it for the first time, I understood. I can’t say anything about its full-size sibling in terms of ease of typing and the ability to fit in one hand, but the screen real estate was much more than my phone’s. And right now for $149 off, you can literally put all that power in the palm of your hand. And it’s cheaper.
Amazon
With its 3:2 screen ratio, iPad mini feels much more like holding a book in your hand than an iPhone.
Save $149 |Lowest price ever
$350 on Amazon
Why is this a good deal? π°
A $150 discount is significant when it comes to iPads, which tend to hold their value. The iPad mini costs $350, comes in four colors, has 64 GB of memory, and is the cheapest it’s ever been. Need more memory? The 256GB version is also $150 off. Oh, and it’s one of our picks for the best iPad of 2024, especially for those who travel frequently.
Why do we need this? π€
Think this is just a slightly larger version of your phone? Think again. With a 3:2 aspect ratio compared to the iPhone’s 2:1, the iPad mini is much wider, which means it can fit more text and fit more comfortably in your hand for those who use a tablet to read. It feels like a book or magazine you hold. In terms of how it fits in your hand, it’s much more unwieldy than a full-sized iPad, making it perfect for traveling or slipping into your commuter backpack.
iPad mini is packed with features. It’s powered by the A15 Bionic chip, so there’s zero lag (which I can never say with my Kindle). It also has 12MP cameras on both the front and back, plus its small size means it won’t look silly when you lift it up to take a photo. The optional (but highly recommended) Apple Pencil turns this tablet into an art studio, whether your media is photography or digital art.
Reviewer’s opinion π¬
Unsurprisingly, the iPad mini has received quite a few 5-star reviews, in fact, nearly 10,000 from shoppers, calling the iPad mini a “compact powerhouse.”
Advantages π
Portability seems to be one of its biggest draws, including this 5-star reviewer. “I use my iPad for reading, streaming movies and TV shows, as a planner, as a coloring and sketchbook, and for surfing the Internet. I also bought a second-generation Apple Pencil and a Paperlike screen protector. I also bought this. It helps me write more easily and smoothly. You can literally take it anywhere and it fits in most wallets. β
“I’m from the iPad mini 5th generation and this is a huge improvement,” said another satisfied customer. “It’s super fast. Great feel, quality, great camera. The image quality is incredible. Very portable even with the case on. Storage is great. Even after installing a new iOS I have 30 GB There is free space.
“I was looking for something that would allow me to take quick notes at work and edit simple PDFs at work or home. I was really tired of reading them on my phone,” says the last 5. Star buyers shared. βWe have an iPad Pro 10-inch and the new 10th generation Air, and I donβt think any of them perform better than mine, but the big thing for me is that itβs so small and light; It’s super small, so it’s easy to carry and doesn’t add much weight to your bag.
Cons π
“Battery life is below average, especially when compared to my old iPad Pro,” one buyer warned. “The 2021 iPad Mini and 2022 iPad Air I own don’t have the best battery life, but at least they charge quickly with the included USB-C charger. Newer models don’t last as long. But when I travel, I always bring an Anker mobile battery with me just in case.
Some users miss the fact that Apple no longer includes a home button on the iPad mini. “It’s like having to throw something off the screen,” said this user. “If you like it, it’ll probably work. I don’t. It’ll take some getting used to, and I don’t think it’ll ever work out perfectly.”
Amazon
It may be small, but it’s fast. A15 Bionic chip is 40% faster than the previous generation.
Save $149 |Lowest price ever
$350 on Amazon
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The reviews cited above reflect the latest version at the time of publication.