Apple iPad mini (2024) Review: Compact Powerhouse with A17 Pro

The Apple iPad mini (2024), released on October 23, 2024, is a compact yet powerful tablet designed for portability and performance. Priced at approximately €600, it features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the A17 Pro chipset, and a 12MP camera, making it ideal for students, professionals, and creatives on the go. In this review, we explore its features, performance, and whether it’s worth your investment.

Design and Build

The iPad mini (2024) is sleek and lightweight, weighing 293g (Wi-Fi) or 297g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) and measuring just 6.3mm thick. Its glass front, aluminum back, and aluminum frame offer a premium feel, with scratch-resistant glass and an oleophobic coating for added durability. The tablet supports stylus input, perfect for note-taking and sketching.

The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD has a 1488 x 2266 resolution, delivering crisp visuals at 327 ppi density. With 500 nits of typical brightness and a 77.4% screen-to-body ratio, it’s great for reading, gaming, and media consumption in various lighting conditions.

Performance

Powered by the Apple A17 Pro chipset (3nm) with a hexa-core CPU (2x3.78 GHz performance cores + 4 efficiency cores) and a 5-core Apple GPU, the iPad mini (2024) handles demanding tasks effortlessly. Running iPadOS 18 (upgradable to iPadOS 18.5), it offers a smooth and intuitive experience for multitasking, gaming, and productivity.

It comes with 8GB RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, but lacks a microSD card slot. Features like side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, compass, and barometer enhance usability.

Camera

The iPad mini (2024) sports a single 12MP wide camera (f/1.8) with autofocus, capable of capturing detailed photos. It supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps and 1080p at up to 240fps, with quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama for enhanced versatility. The 12MP ultrawide front camera (f/2.4, 122˚) is ideal for video calls, recording 1080p video at 60fps with HDR and gyro-EIS.

Battery and Charging

The 5078mAh Li-Ion battery (19.3 Wh) provides reliable all-day performance for browsing, streaming, and light productivity. While specific charging speeds aren’t detailed, the USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 port ensures efficient power delivery.

Connectivity and Features

The iPad mini (2024) supports 5G (cellular models), Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, and GPS/GLONASS (cellular models only). It uses a USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 port with DisplayPort support for versatile connectivity. The stereo speakers deliver immersive audio, but there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack or NFC.

The tablet supports eSIM for cellular models and is available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight, offering a stylish range of colors.

Pricing and Colors

Priced at around €600, the iPad mini (2024) is a compelling option for those seeking a compact tablet with flagship performance. Its color options—Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight—cater to diverse tastes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compact 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with sharp 327 ppi.
• Powerful A17 Pro chipset for seamless performance.
• Versatile 12MP cameras with 4K video and HDR.
• Lightweight 293g design with premium aluminum build.
• Stylus support for creatives and note-takers.

Cons

• No microSD card slot for expandable storage.
• No 3.5mm headphone jack or NFC.
• No official IP rating for water or dust resistance.

Verdict

The Apple iPad mini (2024) is a stellar choice for those who value portability without compromising performance. Its A17 Pro chip, vibrant display, and versatile cameras make it perfect for work, entertainment, and creativity. While the lack of expandable storage and a headphone jack may be minor drawbacks, the iPad mini’s compact design and €600 price point make it a fantastic value. If you’re looking for a powerful, pocketable tablet, the iPad mini (2024) is hard to beat.

Price and availability may vary by region. Check with local retailers for the latest deals.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Apple iPad mini (2024)

1. When was the Apple iPad mini (2024) released?
The Apple iPad mini (2024) was announced on October 15, 2024, and released on October 23, 2024.

2. What are the key specifications of the iPad mini (2024)?
It features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD, Apple A17 Pro chipset, 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB/512GB storage, a 12MP rear camera, a 12MP ultrawide front camera, a 5078mAh battery, and runs iPadOS 18 (upgradable to 18.5).

3. Does the iPad mini (2024) support expandable storage?
No, the iPad mini (2024) does not have a microSD card slot. It is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB internal storage.

4. What is the price of the iPad mini (2024)?
The iPad mini (2024) starts at approximately €600, with variations based on storage and connectivity (Wi-Fi or 5G) options.

5. Is the iPad mini (2024) water-resistant?
No, the iPad mini (2024) does not have an official IP rating for water or dust resistance.

6. What are the camera features of the iPad mini (2024)?
It has a 12MP wide rear camera with HDR, panorama, and 4K video recording at up to 60fps. The 12MP ultrawide front camera supports HDR and 1080p video at up to 60fps, both with gyro-EIS.

7. How is the battery life of the iPad mini (2024)?
The 5078mAh battery offers reliable all-day performance for tasks like browsing, streaming, and productivity.

8. What colors are available for the iPad mini (2024)?
The iPad mini (2024) is available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight.

9. Does the iPad mini (2024) have a headphone jack?
No, the iPad mini (2024) does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack.

10. What connectivity options does the iPad mini (2024) offer?
It supports 5G (cellular models), Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS/GLONASS (cellular models only), and USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2 with DisplayPort. It does not support NFC or radio.