My initial impression of the 2024 iPad Mini was a mix of confusion and admiration. The upgrades felt underwhelming: a faster processor, yes, but the heavily promoted Apple Intelligence features seemed more like a work in progress than a must-have. However, after seven weeks of regular use, I’ve developed an unexpected fondness for this compact device. It excels in all the areas its predecessor did, even if the improvements aren’t always immediately apparent.
This iPad Mini seems to embody the “third category” of device Steve Jobs envisioned when the first iPad launched over a decade ago. It’s affordable, feels great in hand, has a sleek design, and offers impressive functionality.
Display: Small But Mighty
Watching Netflix on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Streaming Netflix on the 2024 iPad Mini.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display remains unchanged, with a resolution of 2266 x 1488 pixels (326 ppi) and 500 nits of brightness. While not the most dazzling display on the market, it’s perfectly adequate for its size and intended use. Colors are vibrant, viewing angles are decent, and the smaller screen size contributes to a sharp image, even compared to the pricier iPad Pro M4. The standout feature, however, is the aspect ratio.
Touch ID sensor on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Touch ID sensor on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Unlike other iPads, the Mini doesn’t adhere to the 4:3 format, opting instead for a ratio closer to 1.52:1. This makes it ideal for various tasks, particularly video watching. Compared to the significant letterboxing on the iPad Pro M4 when watching widescreen content, the iPad Mini’s letterboxing is considerably less intrusive.
Watching YouTube video on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Watching a YouTube video on the 2024 iPad Mini.
This aspect ratio also benefits gaming and emulation, areas where forcing aspect ratios isn’t possible on iPads. The Mini’s size is perfect for reading, offering a comfortable experience compared to larger iPads. Its compact size and light weight make it ideal for one-handed use and child-friendly as well.
Reading comics on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Reading digital comics on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Reading web content Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Browsing web content on the 2024 iPad Mini.
While the smaller screen might not suit everyone’s needs, particularly for professional tasks like virtual consultations, the iPad Mini’s portability and ease of use make it a compelling choice for many users.
Performance: A17 Pro Prowess
Rear view of Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Rear view of the 2024 iPad Mini.
The A17 Pro chip provides a significant performance boost. The new iPad Mini is approximately 36% faster in single-core and 32% faster in multi-core performance compared to the previous generation. GPU performance is also up by over 30%.
| Geekbench (single-core) | Geekbench (multi-core) | |
|---|---|---|
| iPad mini 2024 (A17 Pro) | 2898 | 7105 |
| iPad mini 2021 (A15 Bionic) | 2128 | 5363 |
Benchmark result of Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Benchmark results for the 2024 iPad Mini.
This translates to a smooth gaming experience, even with demanding titles like Call of Duty: Mobile at high settings and 60 fps. Apple Arcade titles and other popular games run flawlessly. The iPad Mini also handles emulation of PlayStation and Nintendo games with ease.
Playing Warframe on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Playing Warframe on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Editing images on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Editing images on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Heat management is impressive, with the all-metal chassis effectively dissipating heat. While the LCD panel doesn’t match the vibrancy of OLED displays, it performs well, especially considering its price point. The iPad Mini is also capable of handling productivity tasks like photo and video editing, although the smaller screen might be limiting for some workflows.
Camera view of Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Camera view on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Battery Life and iPadOS 18
Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro and Apple Pencil Pro.Alt: The 2024 iPad Mini with Apple Pencil Pro.
Battery life is excellent, easily lasting a full day of mixed use, including gaming, streaming, and productivity tasks. The A17 Pro’s efficiency contributes to this longevity. Apple claims 10 hours of battery life, which aligns with my experience. Used as a secondary display for macOS, battery drain is understandably faster.
Using Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro in screen mirroring mode.Alt: Using the 2024 iPad Mini in screen mirroring mode.
The iPad Mini runs iPadOS 18, with the addition of Apple Intelligence features exclusive to the A17 Pro chip. While iPadOS still has its shortcomings, the Mini’s focus on casual use makes these issues less impactful. The lack of Stage Manager is noticeable but understandable given the smaller screen size.
Front view of Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Front view of the 2024 iPad Mini.
Using Photoshop on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Using Photoshop on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Apple Intelligence, while promising, feels underdeveloped. The ChatGPT integration with Siri is less convenient than using the standalone app. Notification summarization is unreliable, and the Reduce Interruptions feature can be unpredictable. The writing tools are niche and unlikely to replace human input. Features like object removal and Visual Intelligence offer occasional utility but aren’t game-changers.
An Apple Pencil Pro being held in a personAlt: Holding an Apple Pencil Pro.
Summarized notifications on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Summarized notifications on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Writing tools on Apple iPad mini with A17 Pro.Alt: Using writing tools on the 2024 iPad Mini.
Should You Buy It?
Rear shell view of the 2024 iPad mini.Alt: Rear view of the 2024 iPad Mini.
The iPad Mini 2024 is a great tablet, particularly for users seeking a compact, portable device for entertainment, light productivity, and gaming. However, if you own the fifth-generation iPad Mini, the upgrade isn’t essential. While the performance and battery life are improved, the core experience remains largely the same. The lack of a headphone jack and the awkward front camera placement are still drawbacks.
Despite its limitations, the iPad Mini remains the best small tablet available. It’s a delightful device that can enhance productivity and entertainment on the go.
