Apple iPad mini (6th gen) vs iPad mini (5th gen): What's the difference?

(Pocket-lint) - Apple announced the next procreation of iPad mini astatine an lawsuit connected 14 September. The latest exemplary is the sixth procreation of the smallest tablet successful Apple's portfolio and for the archetypal clip since it was introduced successful 2012, it comes with a implicit redesign. 

Want to cognize however the iPad mini (6th generation) compares to the iPad mini (5th generation), which you should bargain oregon whether you should upgrade? We person you covered. Here are the differences betwixt the iPad mini 6 (2021) and the iPad mini 5 (2019). 

Design

• Apple iPad mini (6th gen): 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm, 293g
• Apple iPad mini (5th gen): 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1mm, 301g

The Apple iPad mini (6th generation) takes its plan cues from the iPad Air (2020). It features level edges, uniformed bezels and it moves the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to the powerfulness fastener astatine the apical of the device.

The iPad mini (5th generation) has overmuch larger bezels astir its show and Touch ID astatine the bottommost of the screen, making the plan a small much dated than the latest model, arsenic you would expect. 

Both iPad mini models person aluminium builds, and determination are assorted colour options. The iPad mini (5th generation) comes successful Silver, Space Grey and Gold, portion the iPad mini (6th generation) comes successful Space Grey, Pink, Purple and Starlight.

The iPad mini (6th generation) is smaller and lighter than the iPad mini (5th generation) however, contempt offering a larger display.

Display

• iPad mini (6th gen): 8.3-inch Liquid Retina, 2266 x 1488 pixels, 326ppi
• iPad mini (5th gen): 7.9-inch Retina, 2048 x 1536 pixels, 326ppii

The Apple iPad mini (6th generation) has a 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, that has a 2266 x 1488 pixel resolution, resulting successful a pixel density of 326ppi. 

The iPad mini (5th generation) has a smaller 7.9-inch Retina display, with a 2048 x 1536 resolution, which works retired arsenic the aforesaid 326ppi pixel density.

Both models person a maximum brightness of 500nits, a fingerprint-resistant coating, are afloat laminated and diagnostic Apple's True Tone technology. They besides connection a P3 wide colour gamut.

Cameras

• iPad mini (6th gen): 12MP rear, 12MP front, Center Stage
• iPad mini (5th gen): 8MP rear, 7MP front

The Apple iPad mini (6th generation) has a 12-megapixel wide camera connected the rear with an f/1.8 aperture, a Quad-LED flash and Smart HDR 3. It offers 4K video signaling up to 60fps and extended dynamic scope for video up to 30fps.

On the front, the iPad mini (2021) has a 12-megapixel ultra wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture. It supports 1080p video signaling up to 60fps and it has the iPad Pro's Center Stage feature, which follows you astir the country erstwhile connected a video call. 

The iPad mini (5th generation) meanwhile, has an 8-megapixel wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture and Auto HDR. There is nary 4K video signaling capableness but it offers 1080p astatine 30fps. 

The beforehand camera is simply a 7-megapixel beforehand camera with a f/2.2 aperture. It offers a Retina flash, Auto HDR for photos, and 1080p video signaling but determination are nary other features similar Center Stage.

Hardware

• iPad mini (6th gen): A15 Bionic, 64GB/256GB, 5G, USB Type-C
• iPad mini (5th gen): A12 Bionic, 64GB/256GB, 4G, Lightning

The iPad mini (6th generation) runs connected the A15 Bionic spot with Neural Engine and it comes successful 64GB and 256GB retention options, some of which travel successful Wi-Fi lone and Wi-Fi and Cellular models, with the cellular models offering 5G connectivity.

The latest exemplary is compatible with the 2nd procreation of Apple Pencil and it offers up to 10 hours of artillery life, charged via USB Type-C.

The iPad mini (5th generation) runs connected the A12 Bionic spot with Neural Engine and it excessively comes successful 64GB and 256GB retention options, some of which again travel successful W-Fi lone and Wi-Fi and Cellular models. The cellular models enactment 4G connectivity lone though. 

The 2019 exemplary is besides lone compatible with the archetypal procreation of Apple Pencil, and portion it offers the aforesaid 10 hr artillery life, it is charged via Lightning.

Conclusion

The biggest quality betwixt the newest iPad mini and the iPad mini (5th generation) is its redesign. The latest exemplary wholly refreshes the enactment and pulls the iPad mini successful enactment with different Apple products, similar the iPhone 13 models and the iPad Air (2020), with immoderate features besides borrowed from the iPad Pro too.

Aside from the plan changes, the iPad mini (6th generation) besides comes with a faster chip, 5G connectivity, compatibility with the 2nd procreation Apple Pencil, USB Type-C for charging and camera upgrades.

If you request to prevention a spot of currency and aren't excessively fussed astir the latest plan and features, you whitethorn beryllium capable to find the iPad mini (5th generation) cheaper, but if you person the budget, the iPad mini (6th generation) wins hands down connected paper.

Writing by Britta O'Boyle. Originally published connected 16 September 2021.