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Apple iPad Mini (2019)
Apple iPad Mini (2019)
Apple iPad Mini (2019)
Apple iPad Mini (2019)
Apple iPad Mini (2019)
...


8.5/10
Informr score
The Apple iPad Mini (2019) currently has an Informr score of 8.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 44 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The "1-Minute" Review

Verdict

If you’re looking for a smaller tablet, reviewers loved the iPad Mini (2019). It’s ultra-portable, powerful, and affordable. You can’t ask for much more.

What's good

  • Price
  • 1st Generation Apple Pen support
  • Excellent performance
  • Plenty of storage
  • 3.5mm headphone jack

What's bad

  • No storage expansion options
  • Older-looking design
  • No Face ID
  • So-so cameras

It’s been nearly 4 years since the last iPad Mini model update. With their latest release, Apple looks to bring their ultra-portable small tablet into a more modern era -- even if you can’t tell by looking at it. But with tablet and phone sizes increasing by the year, is a tiny tablet still worth buying? Reviewers are weighing in on Apple’s latest release. Let’s see what they’re saying...

Design

If you’ve seen the Apple iPad Mini 4 from 2015, you’ve seen the iPad Mini (2019). In fact, a few reviewers mentioned getting confused between the two when comparing them.

This means you’ll find the chunkier bezels and chins of Apple’s older devices and a Touch ID sensor on the front instead of Face ID authentication.

While some reviewers wanted a more modern design, most were happy with the older format by the end of their reviews.

Phone Arena appreciated the older design because of the tablet’s smaller size, noting, “... we find that holding it, as is, can be tough to avoid accidentally touching the display, so the bezels are perfectly OK with us.

At just 8 inches by 5.3 inches by 0.24 inches, this tablet bucks current trends of huge displays to offer a near pocket-friendly option for enjoying your favorite apps and media on the go or at home.

Display

Around front, you’ll find a 7.9-inch, 2048-by-1536 pixel display with a pixel density of 326 PPI. While the screen looks similar to earlier models, that’s not a bad thing. Apple still cranks out some of the best displays on the market.

The new model also supports a wider DCI-P3 color range and True Tone technology for color-sensitive tasks such as photo editing. And screen lamination and an anti-glare treatment make reading easier in bright environments.

Overall, reviews indicate the tablet offers a flexible, beautiful viewing experience whether you’re at the park or cozy in bed.

Engadget says, “... The display looks as punchy and accurate as possible no matter the lighting conditions. While I'd appreciate if this screen were a little brighter -- the iPhone XS series has the clear edge here -- this is still the best the mini's display has ever looked.

Performance

This is the area where updates are most obvious. The tablet features an A12 Bionic processor with an M12 coprocessor and Neural Engine -- the same setup used in the iPhone XS and XR. Paired with 3GB of RAM, reviewers had no issues with sluggishness or crashing.

Whether you’re looking to edit video or watch Netflix, the iPad Mini (2019) has it covered.

Phone Arena found performance stellar, saying, “The A12 Bionic chip powering the iPad Mini is the best mobile processor in the game right now and it makes short work of any task on the mini.

Software

The tablet runs iOS 12.2 and is sure to receive updates for years to come. Reviewers found gesture commands slightly awkward but otherwise loved the multitasking features and general layout of the interface.

Storage

The baseline iPad model includes 64GB. But there are no expandable storage options. So if you think you might need more room, upgrading to the 256GB will provide extra flexibility.

Cameras

Like most tablets, the iPad Mini (2019) focuses more on quick snapshots and video chats with their cameras. You’ll find an 8MP rear camera and a 7MP front-facing lens.

In good lighting, they can capture clear pictures -- though shots lack detail compared to many smartphones. Low-light shots are predictably noisy and dim though. So plan to stick to your phone or point-and-shoot for most photography.

Engadget sums up opinions regarding the cameras well, saying, “... they just might be the least thrilling things about this new mini.

Battery Life

Apple is always tight-lipped about battery specifics. However, they state the iPad Mini (2019) can reach 10 hours of use on a charge. Reviews show Apple’s estimate is accurate. However, a full recharge requires a whopping 4 hours.

Also, the tablet doesn’t use USB-C. Instead, Apple kept their older Lightning connection. So charging nightly is the best way to avoid needing to carry an extra cord or charger to keep your iPad topped off.

ZD Net praised the tablet’s endurance, saying, “The battery easily lasts me a full day, which includes my 1.5-hour train commute and full work day in the office.

Audio

Overall, audio performance impressed reviewers. The down-facing stereo speakers offered well-rounded sound with more bass response than most phones and plenty of volume.

There’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening or better immersion and Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting your wireless headphones or headset.

Accessories

The latest release brings 1st Generation Apple Pencil support to the iPad Mini. While the smaller screen makes the tablet less than ideal for larger art or graphics work, reviewers found the tablet perfect for taking notes.

The laminated display also provided a more “paper-like” writing experience for those who found earlier Apple Pencil devices odd to use.

_

The Takeaway

Reviews for the iPad Mini (2019) are very positive. The only complaints centered on the older design. Still, Apple’s build quality is some of the best available. So while the device might not look as modern as the latest iPad Pros, it still offers a premium experience.

Mac World says, “The iPad Mini is the best small tablet you can get. I like that it’s unabashedly a tablet at a time when Apple is encouraging all kinds of conversations about whether iPad Pros can replace traditional laptops.

Stuff calls the iPad Mini (2019) “the best small tablet money can buy, with an excellent mix of portability, power, and apps.


iOS
Operating system
Operating system
iOS
2.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
2.5 GHz
7.9"
Screen Size
Screen Size
7.9"
8+ MP, f/2.4
Camera
Camera
8+ MP, f/2.4
19.1 WHr
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


T3
T3

Originally, the iPad mini was a small, cheap games and media machine – ideal for kids or a bit of sofa browsing. Limited versatility from the screen size wasn’t a problem, especially before iOS had proper multitasking. This new version has hardware geared up to do so much more, but the limits of the...

- Matthew Bolton, T3
Android Authority
Android Authority

Small tablets are hard to come by in 2020, and the iPad Mini 5 is one of the last of a dying breed. Thankfully, it delivers on the promise of packing the best of Apple's larger iPad lineup into a smaller form factor. If you can overlook the large bezels and lack of USB-C charging, it's one of the be...

- Nick Fernandez, Android Authority
TechRadar
TechRadar

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. For its...

- Matt Swider, TechRadar
Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor

The iPad mini proves that this form factor is still desirable and useful even in an age of larger smartphones. With the A12 processor at an affordable base price, Apple’s smallest tablet is a tiny powerhouse of a computer. Yes, the design is seven years old but with the addition of Apple Pencil supp...

- Henry Burrell, Tech Advisor
Gear Hungry
Gear Hungry

The iPad Mini is designed to let users do more on a small device. Love Photoshop? The iPad Mini can handle it for you. Love doodling? Get an Apple Pen and doodle away. Think of it as a digital notebook that is much smarter. Thanks to the Neural Engine capability of the chip, the iPad Mini goes the e...

- Jordan Carter, Gear Hungry


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Quick view

Screen Size
7.9"

The Apple iPad Mini (2019)'s screen size is 7.9 inches with 1536 x 2048 pixels resolution.

Processor
2.5 GHz

There is a Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) Hexa-core 2.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the iOS 12 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP, f/2.4 camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 7+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
64/128 GB

Internal memory is 64/128 GB. No external card slot is available for expansion.

Battery
19.1WHr

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 19.1 WHr battery. Apple's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

iPad Mini (2019) Specs

Overview
Release Date March 18, 2019
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System iOS 12 (Update Available: iPadOS 14.3)

Compare iOS Smartphones

Processor Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) Hexa-core 2.5 GHz
Internal Storage 64/128 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Body: 1.19 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included USB Power Adapter, Manual, Data Cable
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Yes
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Lightning
USB OTG Support No
Infrared No
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP, PAN
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot No
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels, f/2.4
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Panorama, Self-timer, HDR, Time lapse mode
Video Recording Formats
MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
7+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
Multi-shot, Self-timer, Aperture F2.2, HDR
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 30 fps
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (IPS)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1536 x 2048 pixels
Pixel density 326 pixels
Size 7.9 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating Yes
Additional Display Features Capacitive touchscreen, Wide color display (P3), True Tone display, Antireflective coating
Power & Battery
Type Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 19.1 WHr
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 3 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 9 hours
Standby Time Up to 10 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Colors Silver, Space Gray, Gold
Dimensions [H x W x D] 20.32 x 13.48 x 0.61 cm (8 x 5.3 x 0.2 in)
Weight 300.5
Water Resistant / Waterproof No
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key Yes
Home Key Yes
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes
More
Additional Information Other Names (AKA): Apple iPad Mini 5, iPad Mini 5th Generation
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