The iPad Mini 2021 version has a bigger screen, better specs, and no more headphone jack. The new model has lots to offer, being a larger screen, faster processor, refined design akin to the 2020 iPad Air, and a USB-C port, however, it also has a quality that is not so desirable along with a higher introductory price.
The price dropped to $300 soon after the new model was announced, but it started at $399 from the get-go. The new iPad Mini starts at $499 before any extra additions like extra storage or 5G connectivity.
What are the improvements to the new iPad Mini 2021
- The new iPad has a bigger screen in a slightly smaller physical footprint
- Apple’s A15 Bionic processor replaces the A12 Bionic.
- The front camera got a resolution amp and supports Center Stage to zoom in, which keeps you centered through video calls
- The rear camera has a higher resolution, now it can also record 4K video
- USB-C
- The Apple Pencil doesn’t stick out of the port, for charging: the second-gen Apple Pencil attaches to the side magnetically, to charge.
- Has Wi-Fi 6 compatibility
- 5G connection potentially faster speeds than LTE, though lacking mm Wave 5G radio bands.
The biggest eye-grabber being its screen, now an 8.3-inch display. It might not seem like a giant update when comparing to the older 7.9-inch display, but the new tablet is actually a touch shorter while squeezing in a larger screen. Smaller bezels in nearly the same footprint are always good news.
The new iPad Mini features the brand-new A15 Bionic chip, which you’ll also find in the iPhone 13 lineup, with five GPU cores just like the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. Apple claims the new chip will provide 40 percent CPU gains and 80 percent GPU gains. There are talks that it is not clocked quite as fast as the A15 processor on the iPhone 13.
The old 7MP selfie cam is replaced by A new 12MP ultrawide front cam. The big appeal is that the new iPad Mini supports Center Stage. The quality has been improved — while still 1080p, it has improved dynamic range with more frame rate options for video along with Smart HDR 3 for photos.
The rear camera has a similar resolution, however, the 8MP @ f/2.4 is replaced by a 12MP sensor and brighter f/1.8 aperture which further helps in the recording. The faster aperture should be helpful in low light situations, and the new quad-LED True Tone flash should help, where the 2019 model had no flash at all. The new model is the first one in the iPad Mini line that offers 4K video recording at up to 60fps.
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