With a powerful A12 Bionic chip, the new iPad mini (2019) is still the best small tablet yet, and will likely remain so in the coming years.

For many users, it will be hard to figure out exactly where the 2021 iPad Mini fits in their day-to-day life. But the iPad Mini isn’t for those people. This tablet is for those who already know exactly what they would use it for. Perhaps it’s to replace your phone around the house.

A decent sized tablet - light, speedy and practical for carrying around or prolonged use. Has same crazy fast cpu as the latest iPhone 13 and a much bigger screen size but costs half the price. The USB C is great for connecting non-thunderbolt accessories too.

Apple decided to leave the 5th generation iPad mini’s design untouched, thereby targeting all those interested in refreshing their aging devices with brand-new hardware. And that is exactly what the iPad mini 5 has to offer.

very fast system performance, support for Apple Pencil, 3.5-mm audio port, decent speakers, robust case

high premium for LTE and higher storage tiers, memory not expandable, no GPS

The iPad mini 2019 is Apple’s most totable iPad, and it’s deceptively powerful for its small size. It has a bright 7.9-inch display that works with the Apple Pencil and a chipset that smokes the small tablet competition. Its price is equally deceptive, costing more than the larger iPad 9.7.

Perfect size to tote around, Works with the Apple Pencil, Surprisingly powerful specs

Unchanged, bezel-heavy design, Uses the older Apple Pencil, Costs more than the iPad 9.7

Though Apple has done the bare minimum to update the iPad mini, it remains a lovely device and perhaps the last hurrah for small tablets before foldable phones iron out their display wrinkles and potentially render such tablets redundant.

Powerful A12 Bionic chip, improved display, excellent app ecosystem.

Lack of design innovation, no fast charging out of the box, no new features.

A mini tablet is great for books, and even movies.

It feels a little cramped to use the pencil with.

It had been a while. The last time Apple had refreshed the smallest iPad in its line-up, it seemed like a different era. The year 2015, to be precise. That was when the fourth generation iPad Mini was still rocking the charts.