Apple iPad mini A17 Pro review: the best small tablet gets faster | iPad mini

Apple’s premium tiny tablet will get speed improvements in 2024, support for new accessories and upcoming AI features, while delivering a full modern iPad experience in a compact package.

Improved design 2021 iPad mini It’s so good that it’s no surprise that Apple has kept it essentially the same with internal changes and side tweaks to support new accessories. While the new iPad mini may be small in stature, it’s still expensive at £499 (€599 / $499 / AU$799), which falls somewhere between £329. Basic model iPad and £599 11-inch iPad Air.

This new tablet looks like a smaller version iPad Air retains the same 8.3-inch LCD display as its predecessor, which is clear and bright and has a low-glare coating, making it more convenient for outdoor use. The so-called “jelly scroll” screen effect seen when scrolling on its predecessor has been improved, but you can still see it if you look closely.

This tablet’s excellent stereo speakers make the most of any video or game session. Its ultra-thin body, weight of less than 300 grams and width similar to an A5 paper pad make it iPad mini Very easy to hold, use and throw in your bag.

Its almost pocket-friendly size makes it a great companion for school or commuting, ready to take notes, play videos, or read books like a Kindle. Its predecessor found niche markets in a variety of industries including hospitality and healthcare, with pilots being particular fans and there’s no doubt they’ll love this product.

One thing that should be there but hasn’t is the location of the central video calling camera, which is still on the left side when held in landscape orientation rather than on the top edge matching the rest of Apple’s iPad range. It still works fine, but gives you a lower angle for video calls, which isn’t ideal.

Specification

• screen: 8.3-inch 2266×1488 LCD monitor (326ppi)

• processor: Apple A17 Pro

• Memory: 8GB

• Storage: 128, 256 or 512GB

• operating system: iPadOS 18

• camera: 12MP rear camera and selfie camera

• Connectivity: wifi 6E (5G optional, eSim only), Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, Touch ID

• aspect: 195.4×134.8×6.3mm

• weight: 293 grams (4G version: 297 grams)

New A17 Pro chip and iPadOS 18

The biggest change in the new iPad mini is the upgrade of the earliest used A17 Pro chip. iPhone 15 Pro. It’s 30% faster than the outgoing model, and the AI ​​processor is also twice as fast.

It’s in a class of its own compared to competing similarly sized tablets, but isn’t as powerful Apple M2 or M4 chip Available on the larger Air and Pro iPad models, and doesn’t support some more computer-like features. You can plug a monitor into your tablet via USB-C, but only for mirroring the screen or video output, not as an external monitor Stage manager multiplexing system.

Battery life is slightly longer than its predecessor, with about 12 hours of battery life when streaming video over WiFi, or up to 10 hours of typical app use for browsing, note-taking, and email. Gaming or other more intensive use will shave a few hours off the total time, but it’s still impressive for a tablet of this size.

iPad mini running Latest iPadOS 18 There are a variety of new customization options and great new math note-taking features when used with a stylus. But like recent iPhone releases, it lacks Apple’s much-touted features Intelligent characteristicssuch as smarter Siri, notification summaries, various AI writing tools, emoji and image generators. They will launch the iPadOS 18.1 update beta in the United States at the end of October, and in the United Kingdom, Australia, and other non-US English-speaking countries in December. None of these features are available in the EU.

Sustainable development

Batteries should last More than 1,000 full charge cycles With at least 80% of original capacity, replacement costs start from £115. Tablets can usually be repaired by: Out-of-warranty repairs to damage cost £339.

The tablet contains at least 25% recycled content, including aluminum, copper, glass, gold, tin, plastic and rare earth elements. Apple breaks down tablets’ environmental impact its report And offers trade-in and free recycling programs, including for non-Apple products.

price

iPad mini A17 Pro prices start at £499 (€599/$499/AUD 799) or £649 (€769/$649/AU$1,049) (5G).

For comparison, the 10th generation iPad cost comes from £329, M2 iPad Air cost comes from £599this iPad Pro M4 cost comes from £999Amazon Fire HD 8 cost £99.99Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 cost £169this Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 cost £1,799 and Google Pixel 9 Pro foldable phone cost £1,749.

judgment

Important silicon and feature updates make iPad mini the best small tablet on the market. It competes against some cheap Android tablets or a new generation of super-expensive foldable phones, and it’s hard to beat.

Its almost pocket-friendly size makes it easy to carry and throw in bags, and iPadOS offers a ton of apps that can be used for a variety of purposes, not just entertainment. Equipped with the £129 Apple Pencil Pro, it’s pricey but a particularly good alternative to a paper notebook.

The lack of an M-series chip in the iPad Air and Pro models limits their multitasking capabilities, while the larger screens of the iPad Air and Pro models limit their multitasking capabilities. A cheaper 10th generation iPad It’s the better choice for most people who just want an Apple entertainment device. It’s not a significant upgrade over the 2021 model, either.

As phones get bigger, the iPad mini may seem redundant, but it’s especially popular with journalists, pilots, and people who need a powerful, compact tablet that lasts a long time on a charge. For all of them, the new A17 Pro iPad mini is almost perfect.

advantage: Compact design, great performance, 10 hours of battery life, great screen, USB-C, iPadOS, tons of apps, great speakers, great microphone, long-term software support, recycled aluminum, Apple Pencil Pro support.

shortcoming: It’s expensive, the small size is cramped for some applications, the video call camera is on the side when in landscape orientation, and there’s no M-series chip for advanced multitasking or computer use, not a big upgrade.