iPad Mini 2021: Is it the Best of the Lot?

Apple launched a bunch of products during its recent launch, and even though the iPhones might have taken the centre stage, the iPad Mini is an eye-catcher too. iPads have come a long way. From being compatible with only Wi-Fi to being a complete connecting solution including calling. The iPads have come a long way, and the Mini variant of the product appeals to more audiences than usual.

The new iPad Mini 2021 comes with a number of changes and upgrades. What are these changes and is it the best product in the lot? Let's find out.

Design

Apple iPad has been known for the minimal design that comes along. The no-nonsense design has appealed to users from all spectrums. From students to entrepreneurs, everyone either uses or wishes to use an iPad. With the 2021 variant, Apple has brought in a number of design changes to the product. To start with, the Apple Pencil now attaches magnetically directly to the device. Since there is not much room on the sides of the device because of the small form factor, Apple has moved the volume up and down button to the top. These buttons toggle according to the side of the tablet you are using. The volume down button can function as the volume up button and vice versa based on which side of the device is facing upwards. The Gyroscope sensor on the device catches up to the screen orientation.

Screen

Let's talk about the screen, then. This is where you spend all the time with your device on. The iPad Mini 2021 comes with an 8.3-inch screen. It is a bright IPS panel, making it great for content consumption. However, one thing that you need to know is that this is not lit by mini LEDs. It will be a step-down from the top-end option from Apple. If you are looking for the best image quality possible, this would not cut it.

Another important thing to keep in mind is the 60Hz display. A lot of people would have like a 120Hz display like the Pro model. However, it is important to understand that the kind of tasks you will be performing on this, might not require a high refresh rate panel. That does not mean that you will not notice the slower refresh rate, especially with the pen work. If you are using the Apple Pencil for any kind of drawing or illustration, the latency and the visual lag is very noticeable. If you want to purchase an iPad for the sole purpose of using it as an illustrating tool, then going for the Pro model would make more sense. The 120Hz display along with ProMotion makes the whole experience better.

Performance

The A15 Bionic chip is fast with a 6-core CPU and a 5-core GPU and if you are into doing some photo or video work, this machine will perform much better and faster than the previous machines. If you want to game on this device and utilize the complete GPU performance, you might not have the best experience because of the lower refresh rate screen. It is still a good performer though. You can get a smooth gaming experience on 30FPS and even 60FPS with minor stutters. Since it is a small form factor, even if you are playing games without a controller, the device feels nice to hold in hand.

Cameras and Optics

The 12-megapixel camera comes with a camera bump which is not very high but if you have it in the case, it will get flushed to it. The front-facing camera steals the show. It has an ultrawide camera with centre stage. The integration of this functionality is something that will keep the consumers going for the Pro variant for just one feature.

Battery and Security

The battery backup on the iPad Mini hovers around the 8-8.5 hours mark. The USB-C port has been added this year for charging and connectivity, but does not support Thunderbolt. The power button is incorporated with the Touch ID, which is a faster and smoother way to get into the device.

Pricing

The iPad Mini starts at $499 for the 64 GB variant and $649 for the 256 GB variant. They do not have a vibrant colour palette for the devices this year. The absence of the 128 GB variant might be felt by a lot of consumers, but they will have to wait for it until next time.